Mathew Horne

Mathew Frazer Horne (born 6 September 1978) is an English actor, comedian, singer, television presenter and narrator. He is best known for appearing on several BBC sketch shows and sitcoms, most notably Gavin & Stacey (as Gavin Shipman), The Catherine Tate Show, Horne & Corden, and Bad Education. Early life Horne was born on 6 September 1978 in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire. He attended Burton Joyce Primary School. While at school he played in goal for Notts County juniors. He studied A level performing arts at Southwell Minster School in Nottinghamshire, and gained a degree in drama from the University of Manchester. He met Bruce Mackinnon there in the first few weeks of term; they realised they shared a similar sense of humour, but did not write material together until the third year of their studies. Career Horne began his career as a comedian and became half of comedy duo Mat and MacKinnon, first performing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000. He was spotted at the festival by Catherine Tate, who invited him to perform in BBC TV programme The Catherine Tate Show. Since then Horne has continued to appear in several Catherine Tate's Nan specials. He reprised his role as Jamie in two festive episodes of Catherine Tate's Nan in 2015. In 2003, he starred in Channel 4's 20 Things to do Before You're 30 and in the following year he earned the role of Ben, an atheist RE teacher, in Channel 4 series Teachers. He also appeared in the first series of ITV production Doc Martin. In 2005, Horne appeared in an episode of The Smoking Room, playing Dominic, nephew of Janet. The latter was conducting a psychological study of the employees. In 2007 he starred in BBC sitcom Roman's Empire and in November appeared in comedy sketches in The Kylie Show on ITV1 alongside Kylie Minogue, playing her assistant. Horne was also a guest star in the second series of Robin Hood. From 2007 to 2010 he starred in double-BAFTA-winning series Gavin & Stacey as main character Gavin Shipman, a kind-hearted young man who gets together with a girl he has met through their work phone calls and falls in love with her. The programme ran for three series with a Christmas special and received widespread critical acclaim. He returned to this role for the Christmas special of 2019. In 2008, Horne appeared in a modern adaptation of the Three Billy Goats Gruff as part of the BBC's Fairy Tales season. He also narrated the ITV2 series The Passions of Girls Aloud.