School Days: 1988-1992 Poor Matthew - he was certainly put through the wringer at Grange Hill. He came across as younger than he was, both in physical appearance and mannerism. The older pupils saw him as a mummy's boy and it didn't help that mum was embarrassing him at the gates each morning. However, he had a great sense of adventure and a vivid imagination. Collecting stamps ranked among his hobbies.

Matthew had "victim" written all over him; being tied up in the cloakroom by Mauler was small fry compared to the later challenges he faced. Originally, Matthew came from an affluent background but his was not a happy life. His parents were going through an acrimonious divorce and Matthew's father was beating him up. By Year 9 mum fell on hard times and the family were reduced to living in a B&B. In desperation, Matthew resorted to burning his accommodation down in a bid to draw attention to his plight, but only ended up in court. A much happier Matthew emerged in his later years at school; much more accepted by his peers and enjoying romance with Natalie Stevens. It wasn't to last, however - Matthew's family found a new life awaiting them.

	MATTHEW'S SCHOOL REPORT
	Series 11: Matthew acts strangely and persistently tries to get out of PE. Eventually he breaks down and reveals his father is beating him. The divorce takes its toll on his mum but with the support of Clark, Matthew looks forward to a new life with his mum and sister. Series 12: Clark and Matt embark on a series of hair-brained schemes to recover Clark's stolen bike - they also have a to dodge a fearsome Alsatian in the process! The bike is tracked down, a vicar's son took it. Series 13: Matthew tries to cover up the fact he's living in squalor in a B&B. Frustrated at the lack of action being taken to rehouse them, Matt burns down the B&B and is arrested for arson. The courts are lenient with him. Series 14: Richard tells Matt there are "smugglers" living close by and they monitor their activities from his garden. Matthew is terrified when the smugglers turn up at school - they are really a theatre group. Matthew is upset by Ray's pranks on Dartmoor. He gets together with Natalie at the end of the year. Series 15: Matthew is confused by the appearance of Natalie's identical twin Natasha - why is his girlfriend being so nasty? Natalie is mystified when he confronts her. Matthew leaves Grange Hill suddenly when his mum gets a job in the Midlands.

ASSOCIATES: Clark Trent, Mr McKenzie, Tegs Ratcliffe, Richard, Nick, Natalie and Natasha Stevens.

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