In 1997, while working as a producer on BBC Radio Solent, Allwright was commissioned to report on his mother’s issue with Bounce tumble dryer sheets. He negotiated with Watchdog, and fronted the piece himself after contacting the programme.[4] The BBC saw potential and requested Allwright present the report himself. This led to a regular reporting slot on the show. Many of his early Watchdog stints also guest-starred his mother, as a consumer commentator.[citation needed]
In 2001, Allwright also began presenting another programme, Rogue Traders with Dan Penteado. The show was a 30-minute undercover consumer programme in which Allwright and Penteado investigated and confronted rogue tradesmen.[citation needed] In 2004, Allwright hosted Brassed Off Britain, Scambusters and Fat Nation for the BBC. In 2007, he also presented Food Poker for BBC Two.[citation needed] In 2008, Allwright and former Watchdog presenter Anita Rani hosted a short-lived spin-off from Rogue Traders, called Rogue Restaurants.[5] In 2009, Rogue Traders was merged with Watchdog, with Rogue Traders split into feature segments and shown throughout. Allwright also became co-host on Watchdog.[6]
Since 2010, Allwright has guest hosted BBC One's The One Show, where he filled in for Matt Baker on numerous occasions, as well as being a regular feature reporter. Since 2011, Allwright has also hosted the BBC show You've Been Scammed.[citation needed] In 2012, Allwright presented ITV's primetime game show The Exit List for one series. Allwright also co-hosted the BBC One programme Food Inspectors with Chris Hollins.[citation needed] In 2012, Rogue Traders co-presenter Dan Penteado was dropped by the BBC following his arrest for fraud.[7] Allwright continued to present the show, in a solo capacity.[citation needed]
From 1 September 2014,[8] Allwright presented The Housing Enforcers, a daytime programme for BBC One. There were ten 45-minute episodes showing each week day for a run of two weeks.[8] A second series was shown on the BBC in 2015 of which there were twenty 45-minute episodes.[9] In April 2016, Allwright began presenting the BBC One daytime game show The Code which returned for a second series in March 2017.[10]
On 4 June 2016, Allwright guest presented an episode of The Saturday Show on Channel 5 alongside Gaby Roslin. The following month he became a permanent co-presenter after Matt Barbet left the show, but the series was cancelled in October 2016.
Personal life
Allwright is a patron of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS).[11] He is also a patron of Launchpad Reading, a local charity working to prevent homelessness in Reading, and the Dorset-based Grace Secondary School Appeal.[12] In December 2023, Allwright won £75,000 for Launchpad on the ITV TV show, Beat The Chasers. Allwright is a follower of cricket and a supporter of Bracknell Beesice hockey club and Liverpool Football Club.[citation needed]
Allwright is an aficionado of country music and plays guitar, lap and pedal steel guitars, keyboards, and sings. He writes a regular blog about his experiences learning to play the pedal steel guitar.[citation needed]
Matt is married, has two children and has a miniature schnauzer called Enzo.
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