Draft:Matt Fiddes

Matt Fiddes
Born	(1979-05-18) May 18, 1979 Barnstaple, England
Occupation(s)	Martial artist, entrepreneur, political candidate
Known for	Founder of Matt Fiddes Martial Arts, former bodyguard of Michael Jackson
Spouse	Monique Foxx

Matt Fiddes (born 18 May 1979) is an English martial artist, entrepreneur, and political candidate. He is the founder of Matt Fiddes Martial Arts, a global fitness empire, and a former bodyguard for Michael Jackson. Fiddes is also known for his public bid to purchase Chesil Cliff House, featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs.

Matt Fiddes was born in Barnstaple, England, and began training in martial arts at the age of seven after experiencing bullying. His grandfather, Sean Norris, represented Ireland in weightlifting at the 1960 Summer Olympics and was an eight-time Irish weightlifting champion. Norris played a significant role in Fiddes’ early physical training.

By the age of 12, Fiddes had earned a black belt in taekwondo, and at 16, he left school to focus full-time on martial arts. Starting with just £100 and no qualifications, he worked as a lifeguard in Croyde, earning £2.75 an hour. After being evicted from his bedsit at age 17, he launched his first martial arts school, which grew into a global enterprise.

Fiddes attributes his martial arts journey and business success to his early struggles, saying, "I had a painful time in Croyde when I was younger because I was evicted. But this property is five minutes away from my first rental when I moved out from my mum and dad's in Swindon. I have memories of planning my business and my dreams in Croyde, so we've come full circle."

Fiddes founded his first martial arts school at the age of 17. Within six months, the club grew to 600 members, and his business has since expanded to more than 1,000 schools in over 600 cities worldwide. His global fitness empire has taught tens of thousands of students, contributing to his £120 million net worth.

In addition to his entrepreneurial success, Fiddes served as Michael Jackson’s bodyguard for over a decade, overseeing the pop star’s private life. Fiddes credits this experience with furthering his business expertise and personal development. He has attained a 7th dan black belt in taekwondo and also holds black belts in kickboxing and kung fu.

Fiddes has been featured in various media outlets discussing his martial arts journey and his rise from humble beginnings. *The Guardian* described his story as one of overcoming adversity and building a global brand. *The Sun* reported on his reflections about growing up in Croyde and how it shaped his determination to succeed: "My home will always be in Swindon; it's a great place to be and people always tell me they're proud of me."

In 2024, Fiddes made headlines for his failed £7.5 million bid to purchase Chesil Cliff House, an art deco lighthouse-inspired property featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs. The North Devon property, described as the show’s "saddest ever" project, was plagued by spiralling costs that left owner Edward Short in £7 million of debt and resulted in the breakdown of his marriage.

Fiddes planned to transform the house into luxury apartments and an Airbnb but saw his offer rejected. He later criticized the owner’s valuation, suggesting the property was worth no more than £3–4 million. Fiddes reflected on his interest in the house, stating it represented an "achievement stamp" for him, marking his journey from being evicted in Croyde as a teenager to becoming a multi-millionaire.

In an interview with *Devon Live*, Fiddes said: "He should have taken my offer as I would have turned one section into luxury apartments and the other into an Airbnb." The house was featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs and led to significant financial troubles for its owner, as reported by The Guardian.

Fiddes emphasized his connection to Croyde, stating to *The Sun*: "My home will always be in Swindon; it's a great place to be and people always tell me they're proud of me."

Fiddes’ failed bid became a prominent topic, as noted by *Mail Online*: "Matt Fiddes, 44, tabled the £7.5 million offer for Chesil Cliff House, which was rejected by owner Edward Short."

In 2024, Fiddes announced his candidacy as an MP for Nigel Farage’s Reform Party. Representing his home county of Devon, he emphasized his commitment to promoting business growth and addressing unemployment.

Fiddes has been involved in political discourse, discussing his vision for local communities and the economy. In an interview with *Devon Live*, he said, “Becoming an MP would be the perfect way to give back to the community after all the success I’ve been lucky to have.” He has received media attention for his business acumen and personal success story. *The Guardian* described him as someone who rose from a difficult background to build a multi-million-pound empire, emphasizing his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed.

Personal life

Matt Fiddes is married to Monique Foxx, a South African national. He maintains strong ties to his hometown of Swindon, which he credits for shaping his early life. Fiddes often speaks of his working-class roots and how they inspired his determination to succeed despite initial setbacks.

External links

• Official website