Exclusive: Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson talks about famous encounters and his special bond with co-host Mollie, who has been his pillar of support throughout his struggles with a mental illness.
You know you’re well-connected when you casually drop names like Robert De Niro and Bryan Cranston into conversation. But Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson has made a career out of interviewing the A-list and hanging out with the stars, so it’s little wonder he’s got a fair few anecdotes up his sleeve – like the time he discussed water pressure with legendary actor De Niro, or the moment he bonded with singer Nick Jonas over a board game Matt made.
When it comes to his favourite celeb, there’s one stunning singer who stands head and shoulders above the rest. “Mollie King is the nicest celebrity I’ve ever met and I feel so lucky I can now call her one of my best friends,” Matt, 39, gushes as he chats exclusively to OK! from the Radio 1 studio, where the pair co-host their afternoon show.
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He tells us that Saturday’s star Mollie, who has recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her second child with her cricketer fiancé Stuart Broad, will be back on the airwaves at the end of this month. And it’s clear he can’t wait. “She is just the most wonderful person,” he says. “We have a weird telepathy going on. I feel like I’ve known her my entire life.”
Before Mollie, 37, joined Radio 1, Matt, who was previously employed by T4 and the gossip site Holy Moly, conducted an interview for The Saturdays. He explained to OK: “I didn’t really know her, but I’d already met the band a few times. She then joined me to host four shows as a guest. I thought, “This person already feels like a sister to me,” I was ten minutes into the first season.
I basically begged her to stay until the four weeks are over. She consented, too. And I’d never be able to return to doing radio alone. Our friendship is completely genuine, which is why the show succeeds. We converse two or three times a week, even when she’s on mat leave.
While Mollie hasn’t been around to look after her children, Annabella, two, and Liliana, four months old, she has joined him with DJ Jeremiah Asiamah, who has two daughters, Ivy, eight, and Willow, three, with his wife Bryony. Jamie Laing stepped into her shoes during her first pregnancy leave. He also became one of Matt’s closest friends.
Matt watched as Jamie took on the monumental challenge of running across England in an “ultra marathon” back in March, which raised over £1m for Comic Relief. “I could never do what Jamie’s done,” Matt says. “He’s superhuman. It was the most pain I’ve ever seen a person in. It was a testament to his mental strength that he did it. It was like watching someone constantly about to keel over.”
The radio DJ has nothing but praise for his friend, noting how far Jamie’s come since his days as Spencer Matthews’ sidekick on Made In Chelsea. “I can’t imagine that being on a reality show and having that all played out on TV was easy,” Matt says. “I’m glad the world is seeing Jamie as more than just his ‘silly’ side now. He’s the most wonderful human being. He’s one of life’s good guys.”
Matt credits both Jamie, 36, and Mollie with being there for him when he feels low, noting that he talks to his friends when he’s struggling with his mental health. He was diagnosed with cyclothymia, a condition similar to bipolar disorder but with milder highs and lows, in his late twenties.
Matthew explains, “I have a lot of people in my life who I can talk to about my issues.” I’ll speak with Jamie, Mollie, and my wife. It’s very fortunate to have a network of people who truly know and love me without making any judgments. Additionally, I received therapy, which I found to be incredibly motivating. It’s crucial to try to get rid of the shame from it.
Making music was another outlet that helped Matt cope with his diagnosis. He set about studying music production and making his own songs during the Covid pandemic, which has led him to collaborate with singers such as James Arthur and Example.
Additionally, it has resulted in a recent collaboration with Bloo, a company that created a hilarious “top of the plops” banger specifically designed to mask embarrassing toilet noises. After Bloo revealed that 62% of Brits find the sounds they make in the bathroom to be revolting, Bloo made the revelation.
He says of the song, which is an earworm, “My happy place is making songs and the sillier the better,” and that the sillier the better. Because I can’t help but chat while I’m on the loo, it was a dream come true for me, and I’m the ideal man for the job. I’ll sit down with my three-year-old. She just finished her potty training, so it’s a big deal.
The song is a big deal to his celeb pals, too. Since sharing the tune’s hilarious video on social media, the likes of Will Best, Melvin Odoom and Professor Green have all expressed their admiration for Matt’s work. It’s clear when chatting about such things that Matt is game for a laugh and open to all opportunities. We get talking about reality TV. Surely a gig like Strictly Come Dancing or I’m A Celeb could be on the cards given his high-profile job?
He laughs, “I’ve never been asked to do Strictly, and I don’t know why,” given that practically every other Radio 1 DJ has done it.
“Mollie, Jamie, Melvin, they’ve all had a go. I’d never say never if they did ask, but if I were to put myself forward for one reality show it would be The Traitors. It’s the best thing on TV. I can’t wait to see the celeb version. Oh, and I’m waiting for the call-up to be a judge on the next series of Britain’s Got Talent. I have zero qualifications for the job, but you know, if everyone else was busy…”
Matt could just call up his old boss, Simon Cowell, if he wanted in. He hosted the X Factor spin-off show The Xtra Factor Live back in 2016 alongside Rylan Clark. However, it doesn’t sound like he’s particularly close to Si these days. When asked if he still checks in with him, Matt replies, “I mean, I didn’t really check in with him when I was presenting his show! He’s sort of like the Wizard of Oz – he’s there, but not. He’s behind the screen somewhere. So no, I haven’t seen or heard from Simon Cowell, but I think I’d be low on his priorities.”
What will Matt do next, then? He says “excitedly, though he’s keeping it a secret that it’s about,” “but I’m writing a musical.” With Mollie, I’m also working on a unique project. One of the most original podcast concepts ever was presented. Matt won’t be drawn into providing specifics, but one thing is certain: if Mollie is involved, you can guarantee that he’ll be smiling.
Matt has teamed up with the UK’s number one toilet carebrand, Bloo, for its Block Out With Bloo campaign.To listen to the track, search Matt Edmondson Block OutWith Bloo on SoundCloud.
