Radio 1's Matt Edmonson's hidden health battle as he's supported by Mollie King

You know you’re well-connected when you casually drop names like and Bryan Cranston into conversation. But 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. 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 from the Radio 1 studio, where the pair co-host their afternoon show.

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He tells us that star Mollie, who has 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 telepathy going on. I feel like I’ve known her my entire life.”

The pair first met when Matt, who used to work for T4 and gossip site Holy Moly, interviewed The Saturdays years before Mollie, 37, joined Radio 1. “I didn’t really know her, but I’d met the band a few times,” he explained to OK! “Then she came in to guest host four shows with me. Ten minutes into show one, I was like, ‘This person already feels like a sister to me.’

"At the end of the four weeks, I basically begged her to stay. And she agreed. And now I would never go back to doing radio on my own. Our friendship is completely authentic, and that’s why the show works. Even when she’s on mat leave, we talk two or three times a week.”

Matt, who has two daughters – Ivy, eight, and Willow, three – with his wife Bryony, has been joined by DJ Jeremiah Asiamah while Mollie’s been off looking after her kids, Annabella, two, and four-month-old Liliana. During her first maternity leave, it was Jamie Laing who stepped into her shoes. He, too, became one of Matt’s closest pals.

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 . “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 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. a condition similar to bipolar disorder but with milder highs and lows, in his late twenties.

“I have a lot of people in my life I can talk to about my issues,” Matt explains. “I’ll talk to my wife, Mollie, and Jamie. Having a network of people that really know and love me and don’t come with any judgement is very fortunate. Plus, I’ve had therapy and I found it incredibly empowering. Trying to detach the shame from it is so important.”

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 and Example.

It has also led to a recent partnership with toilet care experts Bloo, who chose Matt to write a hilarious “top of the plops” banger specifically designed to mask embarrassing toilet noises. It came after Bloo revealed that 62% of Brits are mortified by the sounds they make in the bathroom.

“My happy place is making songs and the sillier the better,” he says of the song, which is a genuine earworm. “It was a dream for me, and I am the perfect man for the job because I love nothing more than a chat while I’m on the loo. I’ll sit and talk to my three-year-old. She’s just finished potty training so poo is a big deal to her.”

The song is a big deal to his celeb pals, too. Since sharing the tune’s hilarious video on social media, the likes of , 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 or I’m A Celeb could be on the cards given his high-profile job?

“I’ve never been asked to do Strictly and I don’t know why, seeing as practically every other Radio 1 DJ has done it,” he laughs.

“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 . 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, if he wanted in. He hosted the 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 , but I think I’d be low on his priorities.”

So what’s next for Matt? “I’m writing a musical,” he says excitedly, though he’s staying tight-lipped on what it’s about. “I’m also working on something special with Mollie. It’s one of the most unique podcast ideas ever.” Again, Matt won’t be drawn into giving away details, but one thing’s for sure, if Mollie’s involved, you can guarantee 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 on SoundCloud.

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