An old clip of The 1975 frontman, Matty Healy, making an appearance on some vintage British telly in what looks to have been his first-ever TV interview has been unearthed on social media and he even shows off some of his early dancing chops.
The London-born, Wilmslow-raised and still regularly Manchester-based singer, songwriter and guitarist is one of the biggest music names around and The 1975 is, without doubt, one of the biggest bands on the planet right now. They’ve come a long way from playing this city’s intimate venues back in the day.
However, it would seem the equal parts charismatic and often controversial frontman knew he was always destined for a career in entertainment all the way back in 1999 when he appeared on the BBC show, This Is Your Life.
I mean, having two well-known actor parents definitely didn’t hurt but even still, you could tell this lad was born for the stage.
Sat in the studio audience with family as he watched on at his father Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Beniform, Waterloo Road) and mum Denise Welch (Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Celebrity Big Brother), a then nine-year-old Matty was quizzed by host Michael Aspel about his designs on showbiz.
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Quickly confirming, “Well yeah actually, I do, but Dad, I might not be as good as you at acting but I’m simply a better dancer”, his father was quick to agree, “You certainly are, son”.
The long-running biography show, which ended all the way back in 2007 after 43 series, then rolled a VT of Healy doing his best Michael Jackson impression in a white shite, black trousers and black shoes and a black fedora as he danced along to the King of Pop’s iconic track ‘Bad’.
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While he hadn’t quite mastered the moonwalk just yet (that came later), you could see the same kind of showmanship then as he has gone on to relish today, with his mum giggling and applauding throughout and dad Tim quick to give him a kiss and a cuddle. They shared a similar moment 25 years later when his dad joined him on stage for a surprise performance.
After seeing Matty Healy as a kid, several joked in the comments below the video, “our little nepo baby”, “The way he still has some of the same mannerisms and moves when he dances on stage”, and, “Imagining the future of my Aries child if I encourage his little ego…”
In fact, this wasn’t the only time the British public saw a Matty Healy on telly as a kid, as even before he scored himself a little cameo on Waterloo Road like his dad, he once again appeared on another episode of This Is Your Life a year later when the programme returned to focus on mother, Denise.
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Speaking then, he told the programme that he’s made “pretty good progress playing the drums” — the role he used to play in the very early days of The 1975’s formation — and was hoping to buy his mum “a new Bel-Air mansion” once he became successful.
You can see more from both that episode down below and his first appearance in full HERE.
Young Matty Healy didn’t just like dancing, he also wanted to be a ‘top-class musician’.
World-renowned rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd announce HUGE Manchester anniversary gig
Thomas Melia
Legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd are returning to Manchester for a limited UK tour at one city’s foremost venues.
Six years since their last visit, we’re sure they’ve missed ‘That Smell’ of a Manchester crowd and it’s safe to say safe we’ve missed them too.
Known for our love of live music and gigs, there’s no better place to stop off at other than Manchester when you’re playing a world tour, especially celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.
Their name needs no introduction, however, if you need a reminder of this band’s remarkable career then ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions’.
Just kidding, the well-seasoned country and blues veterans from Jacksonville, Flordia are one of the most acclaimed acts to ever come out of the US; in 2006 they received one of the biggest honours any artist could wish for, getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
With 14 official studio albums, several EPs and numerous live recordings, there are definitely more than enough songs to pack into one unforgettable night.
As one of just four dates here in England, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Manchester tour show is taking place at none other than the AO Arena, which has also reached a milestone in 2025 as they celebrate 30 years of unbelievable gigs. What better way to party than with a good ol’ fashioned rock show?
They won’t be travelling solo either, they’re also bringing Georgia-based rockers Blackberry Smoke as a support act, notable for their 2012 single ‘One Horse Town’ along with many others.
Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester. That iconic Lynyrd logo will look immense in AO Arena this year.Credit: Supplied
They’ve chosen the right venue to belt the hits too and, ironically, they’ve chosen a Tuesday for their Manchester date, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the concert singing ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ with more conviction than ever.
One thing is for sure, with a legacy as big as this, the rockers are guaranteed to have a great time. There might not be any founding members left following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington in 2023, but you can bet the current lineup will do the originals justice and then some.
Lynyrd Skynyrd visit the AO Arena in Manchester on Tuesday 15 July 2025 with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 January at 10am. You can grab yours HERE.
Busted and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man added to huge music series line-up in Delamere Forest
Thomas Melia
Pop-punk band Busted and pop/soul singer Rag ‘N’ Bone Man are the latest acts announced to headline a music-filled forest a short drive from Greater Manchester.
The new names have been added to the huge Forest Live 2025 gig series, which takes place at Delamere Forest as well as four other unique outdoor locations across the country.
In a setting that’s mostly greenery and acres of trees, one voice is guaranteed to travel through the dense landscape of the forest, and that’s Rag ‘N’ Bone Man.
Joining the bill with the impressive soloist is boyband and still-to-this-day heartthrobs Busted who are visiting AO Arena this year as well, for those who aren’t such big fans of the festival scene.
Busted have had worldwide and national acclaim soundtracking the early noughties by transporting people a thousand years into the future with ‘Year 3000’ and educating us on ‘What I Go To School For’.
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man has his fair share of chart topping too with notable songs like the hard-hitting drum-heavy ‘Human’ to the Calvin Harris link-up ‘Giant’ which is a flurry of flamboyant horns and EDM beats.
You could be like these lucky gig-goers, front row in Delamere Forest.Raise a glass to your favourite band at Forest Live 2025.Bringing music and green spaces together, Delamere Forest, Cheshire.Credit: Supplied
Stockport five-piece Blossoms will also be headlining and they might be bringing their latest member Gary, the infamous eight foot gorilla, on stage with them too.
There’s another Gary on the bill too, with Gary Barlow set to play in June.
Dundee legends Snow Patrol are another of the acts who are set to play at Forest Live this summer.
Situated in Cheshire, Delamere Forest has been hosting events and shows as part of ‘Forest Live’ in partnership with lots of other unique green spaces like Sherwood Forest and Cannock Chase Forest too.
This initiative is set to drive more people into these natural environments that they maybe wouldn’t visit if it wasn’t for the music and make them realise how brilliant these grounds truly are.
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man is headlining on Sunday 15 June while Busted are set to headline on Thursday 19 June, both events are taking place at Delamere Forest as part of Forest Live 2025, with tickets HERE.
Forest Live 2025 at Delamere Forest line-up
13 June – Snow Patrol
14 June – Gary Barlow
15 June – Rag n Bone Man
19 June – Busted (with Twin Atlantic and SOAP)
21 June – Blossoms (with Seb Lowe and The Guest List)
Danny Jones -
12th September 2023 
