Welcome to the Matt Fiddes
Martial Arts website...

Following the huge success of the Matt Fiddes July training weekend held in Birmingham on the 10th & 11th, the next one is already being asked about!
Sessions included Business training and marketing ideas, Kung Fu with 5th degree Anne Armstrong, board breaking & much, much more.
Here is a photo of the big day...

Matt Fiddes, owner of a successful chain of martial arts schools and a former bodyguard to Michael Jackson, has today reached an amicable settlement of his libel action against Channel 4, Studio Lambert and Jane Preston.

Mr. Fiddes has withdrawn his claim after the three parties accepted that he did not sell stories to the Press during the course of the filming of the TV programme made by Studio Lambert, whose chief executive Stephen Lambert previously made the controversial programme “The Queen”.

The programme, “The Jacksons Are Coming”, suggested that during the filming of the programme Matt Fiddes had betrayed the Jackson family, by selling stories about them.

Once the Defendants were prepared to accept that this was not the case, Mr Fiddes was willing to conclude his legal action.

The Devon-based businessman always maintained the case for him was about protecting his unblemished reputation and not about seeking compensation from the programme makers.

Matt Fiddes is satisfied that, after 18 months of litigation, an amicable resolution has been reached.

He said: “The litigation has been a strain and I can now return to normal life. My prime concern is to care for my mother who has terminal cancer.

“ I would rather spend precious time with her, my family and running my business than go through a 20 day trial.

“ I intend also to promote my anti-bullying campaign that has been welcomed in schools and elsewhere around the country. I do not wish to hold a trial involving the Jackson family particularly at a time which is the anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson who was a wonderful friend and human being.

“ I miss Michael and the Jackson family and I hope that cordial relations can be resumed with Tito Jackson. I intend to write off the judgement I have against Tito Jackson for the £20,000 I loaned his family to take part in this programme, as a gesture of goodwill.

“I would like to thank Channel Four for acknowledging that I did not betray the Jacksons by selling stories about them. For that I am very grateful as this was all I was looking for. I would like to send my love and best wishes to Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson at what must be a very hard time.”

Matt Fiddes was represented in the proceedings by media law experts M Law.

Senior partner Chris Hutchings added: “We’re satisfied that the case has been resolved on this basis and that Matt is now able to get back to his family and his business and care for his mother.

”Matt’s integrity and honesty is everything to him, particularly as he runs a business teaching children discipline and self respect through karate.

“As such he is a role model to these children. He can now feel vindicated and return to his normal life with his reputation intact.”

Mr Fiddes added: “I would like to thank my close friends Mark Lester and Uri Geller for their help, support and friendship over the last two years, particularly when they were grieving for our dear friend Michael Jackson.”

Matt Fiddes, the Claimant, does not intend to comment further.

(Statement provided by PHA Media)

Mr Glasheen's students after the Northern Championships in Stoke, April 2010

A big thank you to all competitors and spectators who supported the Northern Championships last saturday. I think you will all agree it was an awesome day and everyone tried so hard which as your instructor was great to see.
We were again top of the trophy count on the day with 15 trophies which has made me so proud. Here is a list of all winners:

Mike Southern - Black Belt Hand drills -12+ - Winner

Sam Plaskett - Black Belt Hand drills - 12+ - Runner up

Sam Clemson - Black Belt Hand drills - 12+ - 3rd Place



Mike Southern - Black Belt Forms - 12+ - Winner

Sam Clemson - Black Belt Forms - 12+ - Runner Up

Sam Plaskett - Black Belt Forms - 12+ - 3rd Place



Amanda Wood - Ladies Sparring - Winner



Amanda Wood - White to Blue Hand Drills - 12+ - Winner



Amanda Wood - White to Blue Kick Boxing Drills - 12+ Winner



Adam Lang - White to Blue Hand Drills 7-11 - Runner Up



Adam Lang - White to Blue Kickboxing drill 7-11 - Runner Up



Sam Clemson - Boys Black Belt Sparring 13-15 - Runner Up



Sam Plaskett - Girls Black Belt Sparring 13-15 - Runner Up



Ryan Clark - Black Belt Sparring 10-12 - Runner Up



Ben Battison - Black Belt Sparring 7-9 - 3rd Place



Congratulations to you all and thank you once again.

Dont forget British Championships on Sunday 17th October in Stourbridge!!

Mr James

Congratulations to all of my students from Southport who entered the Northern Championships. Our trophy count on the day was 7.

Here is the list:

Christopher Hartles - Mighty Matts 3rd Place Hand Drills.

Caitlin Booth - 10 to 12yrs 3rd Place Sparring.

Danielle Formby - 13 to 15yrs 3rd Place Sparring.

Helen Thompson - 16 plus 3rd Place Hand Drills.

Lesley Rigby - 16 plus 3rd Place Sparring.

Sarah Johnson - 16 plus 1st Place Winner Kick Boxing Drill and 2nd place runner up Hand Drills.

Once again congratulations to you all. You represented our school with the courage, commitment and showed true dedication. I hope you will continue to be the shining example to all the students of our Martial Arts School

Mr Coomber

Congratulations to all students who took part this year. Overall the standard was very high and it was a pleasure to watch everyone putting everything into the day and behaving exactly how martial arts students should. They were all a great credit to our schools.

IF YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES FROM THE DAY PLEASE FORWARD THEM TO HEAD OFFICE SO WE CAN SHOW EVERYONE ON HERE WHAT A GREAT DAY WE ALL HAD!

Some pictures are already available to view in the Gallery section. Take a look!

Congratulations to Mr James, Mr Glasheen and Mr Witts for passing their 3rd degree black belt exam last week!

It was held in Crewe on Wednesday 17th March, taken by Master Fiddes and with Mr Heywood in attendance.

Well done sirs!

MARTIAL artists displayed their talents and raised funds for a new Prospect Hospice shop in Swindon.

Members of the Matt Fiddes Martial Arts School also had an information stand to raise awareness of the shop in the West Swindon Shopping Centre on Saturday.

During the day more than 100 children visited them with their parents to take part in some fun Martial Arts sessions.

Shop manager Carol Woods was delighted with the response and thanked the school for their brilliant work.

“Not only did they raise much-needed funds for the Prospect Hospice but the Matt Fiddes students and instructors handed out over 100 Prospect leaflets and really raised the awareness of the new shop,” she said.

“A special thank you must go to Miles Ody, seven, Emily Cuthbert, five, and Luke Hinchliffe, 10, who worked tirelessly all day doing Martial Arts displays as well as handing out the leaflets.”

The new Prospect shop has a wide range of toys, clothes and house hold items. Donations always welcome and can be dropped at the shop.

Article provided by www.thisiswilthire.co.uk

MATT FIDDES BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS! Over 500 attended in Dudley for a great day's competition

Matt Fiddes was invited to join Sting last week while in London on business, in support of The Rain Forest Foundation.

On Tuesday 6th October Matt Fiddes joined the musician and actor in attending a private concert, held at Camden Town, London.
Mr Fiddes was very pleased to be a part of the support for such an important cause, and was delighted to be able to share the experience with singer Sting who is an outspoken advocate against rainforest destruction and for environmental protection.

Sting was in London attending the 20th Anniversary of Rainforest Foundation UK which celebrated with the launch of the People of the Forest exhibition at Proud Gallery in Camden.

Check out the latest 'Matt For Mayor' story by clicking here

Celebrity fitness trainer and martial arts coach Matt Fiddes is to make his acting debut in an all-action movie about the Battle of Hastings.

The karate school entrepreneur – a former bodyguard to pop star Michael Jackson - has signed a 3 movie deal with UK writer-director Robin Jacob.
In the first, to be filmed next year, Matt plays the role of a fearsome Viking warrior, King Hardrada's right-hand man.

Described by British writer-director Robin Jacob as ‘...a story full of intrigue, treachery, Papal conspiracy, murder, deceit and an abundance of rape and pillaging’, the film 1066 charts events up to and including the most famous date in British history.
Matt, 29, who will appear alongside Mark Lester, child star of Oliver Twist, and action film hero Gary Daniels, has already stepped up his personal training programme in readiness for a physically-draining film schedule.
He is currently training 4 hours every day in his gym preparing for the role and is following a strict diet.

‘I‘m very happy to have signed Matt up to 1066,’ said Robin. ‘He’s one of the UK’s top martial artists and when looking for leading-role cast members his name kept getting recommended.
‘After meeting Matt I knew I had to cast him for one of the lead roles in the film. He has the dedication to stay in the great physical shape that this film will require.
‘He will be a main feature in two key battle scenes so he’ll need to be in top form.’
He added: ‘A battle scene conducted in full armour, even fake armour, is likely to be pretty demanding.’

Matt, personal trainer to celebrities such as Peter Andre and Danielle Lloyd, said: ‘I will need to be literally fighting fit.
‘Fortunately there are plenty of teachers and senior students at my martial arts schools just itching to give me a workout!
‘I’ve got no illusions about life on a film set. Many of my friends are actors and the prospect of spending all day in freezing, wet conditions on some exposed hillside is anything but glamorous.
‘But a film role is something I’ve always wanted and it was great to get the invitation.
‘This is going to be a top-drawer production with some incredibly talented and creative people involved.
‘1066 is much more than just an action movie. The historical research has been really thorough and this is a period of history which I’ve personally always found fascinating.
‘The battle changed the course of our history. It unquestionably shaped the country we know today.
‘I can’t wait to get started.’
Robin has spent four years putting together a heavyweight production team which includes Academy Award winning film-maker Christopher Carson and historical novelist Helen Hollick, best known as author of Harold The King.
Helen has co-written the screenplay and filming is expected to begin next year.
‘The phones are ringing all the time with enquiries from Hollywood and UK actors wanting roles in this movie,’ said Robin.
‘With 15 strong male, and five female roles, this is surely an ensemble cast production.’
The film follows the fortunes of Harold Godwinson – ‘chosen king of England’ – as he tries to enforce his claim to the English crown in the wake of Edward the Confessor’s death.
In September 1066 Harold vanquished an invading Norwegian Viking army led by his brother, Tostig Godwinson and Hardrada, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York.
On hearing that William had landed near Hastings Harold immediately hurried south, confronting the 8,400-strong Norman army at Senlac Hill on the morning of October 14th.
He was killed in the battle – supposedly when an arrow struck him in the eye – his army of some 7,500 men was routed and the rest, as they say, is history.

Martial arts Celebrity Matt Fiddes has confirmed he could well become Britain's toughest and youngest mayor if elections in his home town go ahead.

The Martial Arts Multi-Millionaire is backing moves for a referendum in Swindon on whether an elected mayor should run local services instead of the council.

If the job comes up black belt Matt says he'll consider standing under a no-nonsense manifesto which includes:

*FIGHTING crime and anti-social behaviour

*KICKING OUT bullying in school and the workplace.

*CHOPPING council bureaucracy.

Swindon born Matt, 29, who runs a successful nationwide chain of martial arts academies, was suggested as a potential candidate by the Swindon Advertiser newspaper last week.

Pressure for a Town Hall shake-up has further increased with the launch of an online petition, demanding an elected mayor, by the internet forum TalkSwindon. And a internet facebook group set up called “ Matt for Mayor” which has received tremendous support from the Public to put Matt Fiddes in control of the towns position.

Under the Local Government Act 2000, 7608 signatures are needed - 5% of the town's 152,125 population - to force Swindon Council into holding a referundum.

Matt, a former bodyguard of Michael Jackson and a sought after celebrity trainer who’s celebrity clients have included Peter Andre, Model Danielle Lloyd and members of the Jackson 5 , said: 'I'm not a politician but running for mayor is certainly something I'd consider.

'In principle I think it's a great idea because a mayor is directly accountable to the electorate. There seems to be less party politics involved.

'If the job involved creating a positive image for Swindon, leading by example, tackling crime and helping young people be the best they can be, then it sounds like my kind of challenge. I will would give it my full support and have been very honoured to have been considered as a future Mayor by the people of Swindon'

Speaking from his business headquarters in Barnstaple, North Devon, Matt said to be worth £30, Million, does not wish to take a mayoral salary - preferring to return the money to council tax payers.

“If Matt Fiddes becomes Mayor it will put Swindon on the map. He is a talented charismatic entrepreneur who could put the role to good use. I am 100% behind him all the way” Said Devon Deputy Mayor Mr Ian Roome,

Matt added: 'My only concern is that I wouldn't want to take on such an important job part-time.

'With my martial arts schools continuing to grow I need to focus fully on delivering that service.

'It's great that people think I'd do a good job and I'd certainly love to tackle issues such as street crime, bullying in school and council efficiency.

'However, the office of elected mayor hasn't even been created yet. But I hope it is soon.

'For now I'm just going to investigate the possibilities and canvass the opinions of people I respect.'

The Swindon Advertiser has ran an interesting article this week.

Could Matt Fiddes be the new mayor of Swindon? click here to see the story.

THE Mayor and deputy mayor of Barnstaple have embarked on a gruelling fitness regime with martial arts instructor Matt Fiddes to raise money for charity.

For the full story click here

With the massive success of the Matt Fiddes martial arts schools all over the country it has come to our attention here at Head Office that a number of instructors have opened bogus schools under our name without permission.

Unsure if your school is official?

Just click here and answer a few quick questions to determine if YOU are training at a bogus school.