Matthew Kelly looks completely unrecognisable – 22 years after disappearing from spotlight

Beloved presenter Matthew Kelly has made a welcome return to the limelight this week, delighting fans with his joyful appearance on an ITV News segment.

The 75-year-old entertainer, best known for presenting family entertainment shows Game for a Laugh, You Bet!, and Stars in Their Eyes, seemingly vanished from the spotlight after stepping down as host of Stars in Their Eyes in 2004 following an 11-year run.

Quizzed during the segment about why he stopped gracing our TV screens, Matthew made merry of the fact that he stopped booking jobs due to being aged out of the industry.

“I didn’t really have any choice, I got old! I’m not Ant and Dec, I know I look fabulous,” he joked, gesturing at his new beard. “There came a time when they went, thank you very much, Matthew, next I just went back to what I know, which is the theatre. I do dramas, but I’d never go back to the black shiny floor shows.”

Addressing his new appearance, complete with a distinguished white beard, Matthew chuckled: “I’ve not changed that much, have I? Lovely beardy me!”

Fans were loving the blast from the past, flooding the comments with messages of support for Matthew.

© Getty

One enthused: “Aww, I miss him. Good old days,” while another said, “He’s changed a bit hasn’t he? I still remember him from Stars In Their Eyes”. Many more praised his recent acting roles, saying, “Fantastic performance in Waiting For Godot at the Citizens, Glasgow recently”.

Where has Matthew Kelly been?

Matthew hosted iconic ITV reality singing show Stars in Their Eyes between 1993 and 2004, becoming synonymous with the phrase, “Tonight Matthew, I’m going to be…”.

Once a mainstay of Saturday night TV, these days Matthew can be found treading the boards in critically acclaimed theatre productions, a job he loves.

© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I

He won an Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in Of Mice and Men at London’s Savoy Theatre, and other notable productions have included Waiting for Godot with Sir Ian McKellen, Noises Off, and The Gap. The star has also enjoyed roles in high-profile TV dramas, including Cold Blood and Bleak House.

In 2024, he appeared on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast, revealing that he was forced to keep working into his 70s due to poor financial management.

“The baby Jesus made me rubbish with money, so I have to keep working, which is a very good thing for me. I need to get out of the house,” he said.

After Kate praised his positive attitude, he replied: “Well, I’m not that pleased with it, really. I’m just [expletive] at it, that’s all. I would love to have a bit put by.”

© PA Images via Getty Images

Asked what had happened to his Stars in Their Eyes earnings, he bluntly said: “There was money, but it’s all gone.”

The insightful interview also saw Matthew credit Loose Women star Denise Welch for inspiring him to stop drinking.

2003 arrest

In January 2003, Matthew was arrested backstage at a theatre in Birmingham regarding allegations of historical child sex abuse dating back to the 1970s.

© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I

However, after a swift investigation, police found no evidence to support the claims; he was fully cleared of all allegations in February 2003.

Matthew consistently denied the accusations, describing the arrest as a “complete shock and surprise.”

Speaking to Frank Skinner later that year, Matthew reflected upon the ordeal and the impact it had on his reputation. He said: “If you don’t have your name, you don’t have anything, and that was the thing that was most frightening”.