Who is Matt Fiddes? Martial arts expert and Michael Jackson’s ex-bodyguard who was bullied at school
Matt Fiddes was popstar Michael Jackson's personal bodyguard for more than a decade
MATT Fiddes is an acclaimed martial artist with a host of celebrity clients and a multi-million pound fitness empire.
The 39-year-old is married to Monique Fiddes, a singer from South Africa, and the couple recently announced they are expecting another child together.
Currently living in Wiltshire with his family, the millionaire appeared on Channel 5’s Rich House Poor House last year.
They swapped their six-bedroom home in Swindon with a family from Southampton.
Andy Leamon, who lives in a council house with his wife and two kids, got a taste of luxury when they were given the Fiddes’ weekly budget to spend.
And Matt splashed extra cash on the family buying a mobility scooter for mum Kim and taking the children shopping at Hamleys.
What are his achievements?
Matt’s website says the athlete grew up in Barnstaple, North Devon, where he was bullied at school, and this was the motivation to learn self-defence skills.
He was tormented for two years before he became pro-active and started learning martial arts, aged seven.
Just five years later, he was a black belt.
Matt left school age sixteen with no qualifications and went on to open the first Matt Fiddes Martial Arts School “with just £100”.
The teacher has a 7th Degree Black Belt Master in Tae Kwon Do and holds Black Belts in Kickboxing and Kung Fu
One of his highest accolades is being presented with the Martial Arts Superstar Award and being inducted into the UK Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
His website adds: “Today, he now runs a multi-million pound, international martial arts franchise which is the world’s biggest martial arts brand in the world.
"Matt sits on the board of advisors for the Worldwide Martial Arts Teachers Association (MATA) along with the industry’s most admired teachers.
“Matt is dedicated to building his martial arts schools where he can help improve the fitness and life skills of young people.”
Who are his clients?
He claims to have provided bodyguard services for "numerous celebrity clientele including actors, supermodels and singers."
Matt is best known for being Michael Jackson’s bodyguard for more than a decade, before he died in 2009.
He was introduced to the popstar through friend Uri Geller, and went on to be his personal security detail.
He says the star offered him £500,000 for his sperm, which he claims to have turned down and donated for free.
Following his death, Matt previously said: "He was an amazing man and his death was a huge loss. I’ll always be grateful to him."
Does he have any schools?
Matt now has an empire with more than 600 training schools across the UK and Europe including Ireland, Germany, Holland, Australia and South Africa.
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The schools offer classes for men, women and children.
He has also expanded into dance, offering MF Dance.
His website describes it as: “Street dance programmes for children and adults worldwide and MF Pilates, a refreshing mind-body workout, which promotes strength, weight loss, muscle tone and flexibility."