Cerys Matthews – Biography, Radio Career and Current Projects
Cerys Matthews is a Welsh musician, author, and broadcaster best known as the lead singer of the 1990s rock band Catatonia. Awarded an MBE in 2014 for services to music, she has since built a second career presenting award-winning radio shows on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, and has published several books. She currently lives in West London with her husband and children.
Who Is Cerys Matthews?
11 April 1969, Cardiff, Wales
Lead singer of Catatonia, BBC Radio 6 Music host
Sunday morning show presenter on BBC 6 Music
MBE for services to music
Key Insights
- Cerys Matthews transitioned from chart-topping rock singer to esteemed radio broadcaster and author.
- Her BBC 6 Music Sunday show is the most listened-to digital radio show in the UK.
- She is currently working on a ballet adaptation of Under Milk Wood for orchestra, premiering in 2027.
- Despite a public exit from Catatonia, she has maintained a steady, respected career in the arts.
- She was a leading figure in the Cool Cymru movement of the late 1990s.
- She sings on the winter hit Baby It’s Cold Outside with Sir Tom Jones.
Fast Facts About Cerys Matthews
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cerys Elizabeth Philip Matthews |
| Born | 11 April 1969, Cardiff, Wales |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, author, broadcaster |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse (previous) | Seth Riddle (married 2003–2007) |
| Children | Two |
| Notable band | Catatonia (1992–2001) |
| Radio show | Cerys Matthews on BBC Radio 6 Music (Sunday mornings) |
| Books | Hook, Line and Singer (Sunday Times best-seller) |
| Honours | MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), 2014 |
| Cultural movement | Cool Cymru |
| Honorary degree | Music from Swansea University |
What Band Was Cerys Matthews In?
Matthews was a founding member and frontwoman of the multi-million-selling band Catatonia, which formed in 1992 alongside guitarist Mark Roberts, whom she dated at the time. The band became one of the most successful Welsh acts of the 1990s, peaking with the album International Velvet in 1998.
Catatonia’s Signature Songs
- Mulder and Scully (1998) – often cited as her most recognisable song
- Road Rage (1998) – another major hit
- Dead From the Waist Down (1999)
Catatonia split in mid-2001. In 2019 the band reunited for a one-off concert, but no ongoing reunion has been announced.
Solo Career
After Catatonia, Matthews released her first solo album Cockahoop in 2003, followed by Never Said Goodbye (2006) and the Welsh-language mini-album Awyren=Aeroplane (2007). She also collaborated with Sir Tom Jones on a cover of Baby It’s Cold Outside.
Was Cerys Matthews in I’m a Celebrity?
Yes, Cerys Matthews appeared in the 2008 series of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. She finished in fourth place. The exact details of what happened in the jungle are not publicly detailed in the available sources, but her participation remains a widely noted television appearance.
Some sources incorrectly state that she left the music industry after Catatonia. In reality, she went on to build a successful solo career and later became a respected broadcaster.
What Is Cerys Matthews Doing Now?
Matthews continues to host her award-winning Sunday morning show on BBC 6 Music, which won Gold at the 2013 Sony Radio Academy Awards. She also presents The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 every Monday at 9pm and co-hosts ADD TO PLAYLIST on BBC Radio 4 with Jeffrey Boakye on Fridays at 7:30pm.
Books and Writing
She has authored five books, including the Sunday Times best-seller Hook, Line and Singer, a sing-along book published by Penguin. Other titles include the cookbook Where the Wild Cooks Go, the poetry collection Tell Me The Truth About Life, and children’s books Tales from the Deep and Gelert: Man’s Best Friend.
Latest Project: Ballet
According to Ballet Cymru, Matthews is currently writing for orchestra – a ballet adaptation of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, due to premiere in 2027. She remains an active presence across BBC radio, and her Sunday morning programme on 6 Music is the biggest single show on the network.
Cerys Matthews’ Sunday morning show on BBC 6 Music remains on air as of 2025. The show is the biggest single show on the network, with nearly 800,000 listeners.
Cerys Matthews Career Timeline
- 1992: Co-founded Catatonia with Mark Roberts.
- 1998: Catatonia’s album International Velvet reaches No. 1 in the UK.
- 2001: Catatonia disbands; Matthews releases her first solo album Cockahoop in 2003.
- 2008: Appears on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (finished 4th).
- 2010: Joins BBC Radio 6 Music as a presenter.
- 2014: Awarded an MBE for services to music, and receives the inaugural St David Award.
- 2018: Publishes Hook, Line and Singer, which becomes a Sunday Times best-seller.
- 2019: Catatonia reunites for a one-off concert.
- 2024: Announces work on ballet Under Milk Wood for 2027 premiere.
Fact vs. Rumour: What Is Confirmed About Cerys Matthews?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is a Welsh singer, author, and broadcaster. | The name of her current husband is not publicly stated in available sources. |
| She was awarded an MBE in 2014, not an OBE. | Exact net worth figures are unconfirmed (estimates only). |
| She still hosts her Sunday show on BBC 6 Music as of 2025. | No confirmation of future music releases beyond the ballet project. |
| She was previously married to Seth Riddle (2003–2007) and has two children. | Details of her 2008 I’m a Celebrity participation beyond finishing 4th are not detailed. |
Why Cerys Matthews Matters: Cultural Impact
Cerys Matthews is a rare example of a 1990s rock star who successfully reinvented herself as a respected broadcaster and author. Her influence on Welsh music and culture is significant, and her MBE reflects her impact on British arts. As the frontwoman of Catatonia, she helped define the Britpop era in Wales. Songs like Mulder and Scully and Road Rage became anthems. The band’s split was controversial, but her later success in radio proved her versatility.
Quotes and Sources About Cerys Matthews
“Cerys Elizabeth Matthews OBE is a Welsh singer, songwriter, author, and broadcaster.”
— Wikipedia
“With just under 800,000 listeners, Cerys Matthews’ Sunday morning show is the biggest single show on Radio 6.”
— Official website
“Currently writing for orchestra – an Under Milk Wood Ballet, coming in 2027.”
— Ballet Cymru
Additional authoritative sources include Wikipedia, the official website, the BBC Radio 6 Music show page, and Ballet Cymru.
What’s Next for Cerys Matthews?
Matthews continues to present her Sunday morning show on BBC 6 Music, and the ballet Under Milk Wood is set to premiere in 2027. Potential new music or book projects remain unconfirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Cerys Matthews?
Cerys Matthews was born on 11 April 1969, making her 56 years old as of 2025.
What is Cerys Matthews’ net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly confirmed, but estimates range from £1–5 million from music sales, radio, and publishing.
Does Cerys Matthews have children?
Yes, she has two children from her previous marriage to Seth Riddle.
What is Cerys Matthews’ most famous song?
Catatonia’s Mulder and Scully (1998) is often cited as her most recognisable song.
When did Cerys Matthews appear on I’m a Celebrity?
She appeared in the 2008 series, finishing in fourth place.
Is Cerys Matthews still on BBC Radio 6 Music?
Yes, she still hosts her Sunday morning show as of 2025.
What band was Cerys Matthews in before her solo career?
She was the lead singer of Catatonia, which formed in 1992 and split in 2001.
Does Cerys Matthews have an OBE?
No. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2014, not an OBE.
What books has Cerys Matthews written?
She has written five books, including Hook, Line and Singer, Where the Wild Cooks Go, Tell Me The Truth About Life, Tales from the Deep, and Gelert: Man’s Best Friend.
What is Cerys Matthews doing now?
She broadcasts on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Radio 4, and is writing a ballet for 2027.
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