Comedian / Host / MC

Former host of the comedy channel's "The Big Schmooze".Former co-presnter on drive-time Melbourne radio with former AFL legend Dermott Brereton and channel 10 sports commentator Anthony Hudson. One of Australia's "Rising stars" in the comedy and media world. 

In December 2007 he released his debut comedy DVD -"I'm So Australian" via Sony BMG records. In 2008 he became the first entertainer in Australian history to do 6 comedy shows, in 6 states in 24 hours on Australia Day. Matthew Hardy is an excellent Australian comic and fabulous MC. 

Matthew Hardy was born in Glen Waverley, Victoria. Before moving from Melbourne to London in 1992, he was a freelance writer for The Age, performed at the Last Laugh and was named Best New Comic at the Hilton Hotel (judged by Russell Gilbert, Trevor Marmalade and Glenn Robbins). He was a writer for the Coodabeen Champions radio shows, and had a number of his footy songs featured on Greg Champion's That's What I Like About Football album.

Based in London until February 2000, Matthew Hardy became a regular performer at the world famous Comedy Store and also on BBC TV's top-rating Saturday Night Stand-Up Show. Matthew wrote for the UK edition of FHM magazine and also created a TV sketch series that was nominated at Montreaux's International Golden Rose Awards in 1999.

In 1999, Matthew Hardy had his debut novel, Saturday Afternoon Fever published by HarperCollins. The rites of passage story of an obsessive Australian Rules Football fan quickly became a bestseller. The book went into another reprint in January 2002.

At the 2000 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Matthew Hardy performed an adaptation of the book, directed by Tes Lyssiotis, which received rave reviews. He returned to the 2001 Melbourne International Comedy Festival with Sex and the Suburbs.

Matthew Hardy was seen on Australian television as the host of the tonight show, The Big Schmooze on thecomedychannel, with co-host Kate Langbroek and Dave O’Neill. He has regularly appeared as a panellist on The Fat (100% Tony Squires) and has written for the UK television series, The Sketch Show.

Matthew Hardy is now on drive time Melbourne radio with former AFL legend Dermott Brereton and channel 10 sports commentator Anthony Hudson.

Appearances for Virgin UK, Time Out magazine (the UK’s top showbiz magazine) and Jongleurs (UK’s largest franchise of comedy venues) plus performances in Australia for clients including the St Kilda Football Club and the Australian Screen Radio and Television Association have seen Matthew develop his comedy skills to become a highly professional MC, compere and entertainer for the corporate entertainment market.

In 2007, Matthew released his debut comedy DVD called “I’M So Australian" via Sony BMG records.

In 2008 (on Australia Day), Matthew made Australian history by being the first entertainer to perform 6 shows in 6 states in 24 hours! 

Presentation Topics Include

• Comic entertainment
• Stand up comedian

Testimonials

“Brilliant … a highly entertaining and very funny show”
Virgin UK

“Matthew Hardy was always among our first choices for major corporate bookings. A dynamic performer, an excellent MC and very funny comedian”
Jongleurs UK

“Matthew’s comedic talents have made him the ideal host, compere and MC for a number of our functions. I look forward to having him work for us on many occasions in the future."
St Kilda Football Club

“Matthew, your participation as one of the key entertainments for the lunch assisted the Foundation in achieving such a successful result and we greatly appreciate your contribution. Without a doubt, guests thoroughly enjoyed your performance.”
E.J.Whitten Foundation

Matthew’s humour provided a lot of laughter, and in particular we were impressed that he was able to also entertain the Rabbi’s in attendance, which is no mean feat so very well done.
Hebrew Association Of Victoria (August 2008)

Great performance- received very well by the audience, who enjoyed and appreciated the entertainment. Matthew Hardy’s use of multimedia through his act was different to the norm, which again, worked very well with the audience.
E J Whitten Foundation (September 2008)

“We had Matthew Hardy at our staff meeting this afternoon - - -he was fantastic and had the staff in stiches. Just a terrific speaker who brightened up the Staff Meeting”
Oatlands Primary School (October 2008)

"Thanks again for your performance at the Box Hill Hawks Gala Auction night on Friday. Received some great feedback for your segment."
Box Hill Hawks Football Club

We were extremely pleased with Matthew Hardy's performance at our company Christmas function. He presented an excellent stand-up comedy performance straight after lunch, and then after a break for desert he presented a multi-media comedy show which used visual images on a big screen, with sound effects and a song, all of which the crowd loved every minute of. Lots of laughs and it made the event a major success, enjoyed by all.
Brad Rundell, SHERRIN & SPALDING DIVISION

It is fair to say that most of our staff had never heard of Matthew prior to our event but Matthew was fantastic and engaged the crowd extremely well. He seamlessly integrated jokes and comments about staff into his routine. Very down-to-earth, Matthew displayed professionalism whilst remaining, what appeared to be, just another colleague. All feedback received has been exceptional.
Gina Kirchner, Navman