My earliest memory of Manchester is…
My earliest memory of Manchester is going there for my university open day. I’d had offers from a few places and been on a few open days. I knew within the first hour of being there that it was where I was going to study. Absolutely nothing to do with the university or the course - it was the city that stole my heart.
My favourite place to eat in Manchester is…
Not sure whether it’s still there, but Shahenshah in Rusholme was my regular haunt. People had allegiances to different places along curry mile, but that was my place - even though the food in all the places was more or less of the same standard! We used to enjoy the urban myth that there was one vast underground kitchen that served the same food to all the places.
My favourite Manchester bar or nightclub is…
Bearing in mind all these answers are regarding 20 years ago, I used to go to The Attic which was upstairs in the arches under Oxford Road station. Thursdays in 1998 was a funk and new jazz night and the DJ always played There’s Nothing Like This by Omar at the end of the night as the lights came on. We knew then it was time for an Abdul’s kebab and bed.
My favourite place to shop in Manchester is…
Afflecks Palace is the obvious answer, so I’m gonna say Oi Polloi as they stock all the brands that I wear and like. I’m not sure what the name of the street it’s on is, but that street is a really great place to hang out at the weekends (when the sun is out!).
The last gig or show I saw in Manchester was…
I think the last band I saw in Manchester was probably The Maccabees at the Academy or The Whip at Sound Control. Can’t be sure. I’ve seen so many bands there I can’t be sure of the last one. Coldplay as first on at 7.30pm on the NME Tour in 1999 was memorable, as was Bjork, James and Underworld at the Apollo. I recently played the Apollo in The Catherine Tate Show live and it was nothing short of epic being up there. Legendary venue.
My favourite hidden gem in Manchester is…
Big Hands. A very strange, but wonderful bar near the student union on Oxford Road. I think it’s still called that. Horibble faux red leather seats, but a secret gem for sure. That and of course the Fab Cafe! Curly fries and the cheapest booze. I actually interviewed Frank Sidebottom in there for a uni video project once, so it has a place in my heart too.
The best Manchester band of all time is…
Ooooft. That’s tough. Huge fan of James, New Order, Oasis… but it’s gotta be the Roses, I think.
Manchester has everything except…
A decent football team.
People’s biggest misconception about Manchester is…
That it rains all the time. It’s important that when the sun is out you look up! When it’s raining we’re either under umbrellas or with hoods up. When it’s sunny look up and marvel at the beautiful architecture.
The thing I love most about Manchester is…
It’s not London.
Mathew stars in series 3 of Agatha Raisin, filming now, will star in Catherine Tate's newly-announced 'Nan' film and will also star in the 2019 Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey.
