Monday, 23 February 2026
Matt Cain in conversation about his life and novels
"Everyone has a right to be happy." So says Matt Cain - and he should know.
Matt was talking to Mark Wright (a local writer whom you may have met in The Bookcase). The event took place on Saturday evening at the Town Hall on behalf of the Lit & Sci Society.
Matt took the audience on a roller-coaster ride telling us the story of his life from a boy brought up on a council estate in Bolton to receiving a MBE from Prince William in 2025. This was granted in recognition of the cultural leadership and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ Community and this is only one of Matt's many triumphs.
Matt's career includes working on Channel 4 and ITV in media and the arts, he is an Ambassador for Manchester Pride, Patron of LGBT History Month and an Ambassador for the Albert Kennedy Trust which supports LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness.
He has written many successful novels including:- The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted and One Love. All are told with humanity and humour and raise awareness of the complex challenges gay men experience throughout their lives and how these can prevent them from discovering their true selves.
Listening to Matt, you could get the impression that his life has been one long joy-ride, such is his engaging and intoxicating personality but, with gentle prodding from Mark, he began to reveal the challenges he has had to overcome.
Matt talked of his boyhood. How he only felt safe at home and, from an early age, he could barely walk down a corridor or street without hurtful insults being spat at him. Matt knew he was gay but he daren't reveal that - and certainly not in Bolton. (For more insight read The Madonna of Bolton).
He talked about being unable to express who he was or even mention who he fancied for fear it would be his downfall or 'get him dead'.
Growing up during the HIV crisis lent a dark association with his sexuality. Arriving in Manchester, he began to realise he was not alone.
Still, there continued to be obstacles:- Working on TV and in media Matt experienced covert and overt homophobia - such as getting advice about voice coaching to change what he describes as his 'gay voice'. Twitter only added to the hurtful insults.
Moving into the world of publishing Matt was told that his books weren't commercial enough; women wouldn't want to read about gay men - why not write about women with gay friends? Little did they know. Taking advice from Madonna (whom he describes as a 'possibility model') he followed his dream. He met the publishing companies' resistance with his persistence.
When Matt told the audience he was 'good at making a pitch', we believed him. And, after many years, so did the publishing companies.
Five books on and another book launch due in June this year, Matt has proved he is more than a commercial success.
He is a fantastic story teller. He is a trusted advocate and ambassador for LGBTQ+ community and is keen to encourage new gay authors. During the evening Matt revealed one or two 'secrets' and asked for them not to be recorded. What I can say is - listen out for an announcement from Matt on 3rd March 2026.
Before the evening ended, Matt told us that he is still on a journey of self discovery and acceptance. As well as receiving his MBE in 2025 he learned that he was autistic and had ADHD. He says he is still learning about this but, he accepts that it is part of who he is and without it, where would he be?
Matt seems very happy within himself and told us he has recently married and was surprised to learn that their Celebrant was in the audience. One of many happy coincidences of the evening.
He went onto tell us that he has married well, to a man with a vineyard and a castle. So, maybe dreams can come true. Matt's determination and joie-de-vivre has helped him find his. He is an inspiration to us all and by the end of the evening we felt we had found a new friend.
Matt's books are for sale in The Bookcase and his new book - The Castle of Stories - is due out in June.
With many thanks to Sandra Bell for this report
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