Transformers nearly killed me says ex-Coronation Street star

Jun 14 2009 by Roz Laws, Sunday Mercury

Matthew, 36, has specialised in playing special forces men in Hollywood action films, from Black Hawk Down with Ewan McGregor to last year’s Rambo, in which he was a sniper who saved Sylvester Stallone’s life.

Now he’s an SAS officer, Captain Graham, taking on the bad guys alongside Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson in Transformers, released on Friday.

Matthew, who is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, trained with Navy Seals and now counts several of them as firm friends.

Yet despite all his macho roles, he admits he is scared of heights.

He said: “I’m terrified, but I see things I’m scared of as things I have to conquer. That’s why I did a tandem skydive from 13,500 ft with the US Army Golden Knights parachute team.

“If I’m going to wear the forces’ beret on film, I can’t wimp out of jumping out of a plane.

“You look out of the plane at a tiny square the size of the postage stamp, and you’re told that’s the drop zone and you have to hit it.

“I was scared stiff but I can recommend it to anyone. Afterwards you feel like you can do anything.”

Matthew married Nadine, a former ballerina from Malta, four years ago. They have a three year-old son, Finn, and he also has an 11 year-old son, Connor, from a previous relationship.

He reveals he’s about to become a dad again – Nadine is due to give birth in August.

The former Dartmouth High School pupil, who shot to fame as mechanic Chris Collins in Coronation Street, moved to America eight years ago.

Matthew loves the sunshine and food of Los Angeles.

The only downside for him is missing his family, including mum Ann, and his beloved West Bromwich Albion.

“I used to get recognised a lot in Britain, which was very stressful for me. It was nice to come here and not be noticed.

“Even if people recognise you, they leave you alone.

“You can go to Starbucks and Tom Hanks will be getting a cappuccino. It’s a bit weird at first but you get used to it.”