Mathew Fraser Horne (born 6 September 1978, Nottingham) is an English comedian and actor. He is best known for playing the role of Gavin Shipman in the BBC Sitcom Gavin & Stacey.
Early Life
Horne attended Burton Joyce Primary school, a small school not far from his home. He studied A level performing arts at the Minster School, Southwell, and performing arts at the University of Manchester. Here, Horne met Bruce Mackinnon in the first few weeks of term; they realised that they shared a similar sense of humour, but didn't write material together until their third year of study.
Career
Horne began his career as a stand up comedian and later became one half of the comedy duo Mat and MacKinnon - first performing at the Edinburgh Festival in 2000.
He was spotted at the festival by Catherine Tate who invited him to perform in The Catherine Tate Show.
In 2003, he starred in Channel 4's 20 Things to do Before You're 30 and a year later earned the role of Ben, an atheist RE teacher, in the Channel 4 hit series Teachers. In 2007 he starred in the BBC sitcom Roman's Empire and in November that year appeared in comedy sketches in The Kylie Show on ITV1 alongside Kylie Minogue, playing her assistant. Horne also featured the Sheriff's court jester in the second series of Robin Hood, aired on BBC One at the end of 2007.
In 2008 Horne appeared in a modern adaptation of the Three Billy Goats Gruff as part of the BBC's Fairy Tales season.
He also does voice-over work such as for the ITV2 series The Passions of Girls Aloud.
Horne appears in the forthcoming film Lesbian Vampire Killers and will make his stage debut in a 2009 revival of Entertaining Mr Sloane at the Trafalgar Studios.
Horne & Corden
Since working on the BBC sticom Gavin and Stacey, he has collaborated a number of times with its co-creator James Corden.
They have presented Big Brother spin-off show Big Brother's Big Mouth as guests in 2007 and then regulars for the run covering E4's Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. They also returned for series nine as guest presenters for one week in August.
In February 2008, they presented the NME Shockwaves Awards.
In 2008 they will tour the UK in preparation for their BBC sketch show Horne & Corden.
Horne has been subject to internet rumour that he is blind in one eye, and colour blind. The foundations of this are found in a behind-the-scenes shoot for the first series of Gavin & Stacey where Corden quips that Horne finds it difficult to find the markings on the floor for takes, and Horne followed up by jokingly adding that he was colour blind.
Horne has since dismissed this fabrication.
Recognition & Awards
Horne was nominated for Best Male Comedy Newcomer at the 2007 British Comedy Awards.
