Matt Di Angelo
Encyclopedia
Matt Di Angelo in London, England is an English actor and singer.
He is mostly known for playing fictional character Deano Wicks
in the popular British soap EastEnders
, and for his current role of Sean Kennedy in the BBC series Hustle
.
, and started studying acting, singing and dancing, at Boden Studios (Enfield
/Barnet
), and went on to Sylvia Young Theatre School
. He started a BTEC in Performing arts, however didn't finish.
musical comedy series I Dream
in 2004. This resulted in him making a few appearances in the Sunday morning children's TV show Smile
. He appeared in the film Telling Lies in 2006.
That same year he got his best-known role as Deano Wicks
in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders
where he made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was said that he was working in a shoe shop when he heard that he had got the part. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that Di Angelo would be leaving EastEnders following the departure of Phil Daniels
(who played his on-screen father Kevin Wicks
). He described his departure as "a shock". Di Angelo finished filming EastEnders 12 December 2007 and his last appearance in the series aired on 7 February 2008. He has been a hider on Hider in the House
on CBBC
.
Di Angelo's portfolio includes television commercials and modeling, and he has been a guest on a number of programmes, such as The Paul O'Grady Show
, Saturday Kitchen
, Ready Steady Cook
, Hole In The Wall
, Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong
, The Weakest Link
and The Friday Night Project
'.
In 2007 he appeared in the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing
. His dance partner was Flavia Cacace
. He appeared in the final, in which he was runner-up to singer Alesha Dixon
.
Di Angelo competed with Cacace in the live tour of Strictly Come Dancing
in January and February 2008. They won more shows than any other couple, coming first overall sixteen times and second a further ten times (out of a total of forty shows).
From 11 December 2008 until 31 January 2009 he played the character of Hal in the play Loot
in north London's Tricycle Theatre
, then at Theatre Royal, Newcastle
3–7 February 2009.
He played "Sean" in all six episodes of the 2009 series of the hit BBC1 series, Hustle
. He played Fitz Kreiner
in the Doctor Who
audio play The Company of Friends
.
Di Angelo confirmed on Something for the Weekend
his participation in the upcoming film Function at the Junction. The status of this is unknown but according to the Brit Flick website he is still attached to the project.
On 20 April 2009 Di Angelo's agent announced on their website that he would be filming a guest lead in Casualty. This will be the series two-part finale 'No Fjords in Finland' which is due to air on Saturday 25 July and Saturday 1 August 2009. The agent advised that he was busy recording a new pilot show called Fried Brain Sandwich about a stand up comedian, to be directed by Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered and Drop the Dead Donkey).
On 21 July 2009 Di Angelo's agent announced on their website that he would be playing the lead role of Jack Stradler in the low budget film Following Footsteps. He films throughout August for Perry Pictures
Earlier in the year Di Angelo supported 'A Night Less Ordinary' a free ticket scheme for young people launched by the Arts Council for England in February 2009. http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item104320/Stars-launch-A-Night-Less-Ordinary/
Di Angelo is a supporter of the 'Connected to British Films and TV Campaign' urging internet users to pay for their downloads.
In May 2010 Di Angelo was filming Whiskey Robber for Parallel Pictures and series 7 of Hustle
.
, with whom he had been in a relationship since they appeared on the show together in 2007. The couple ended their relationship in late 2010.
He is mostly known for playing fictional character Deano Wicks
Deano Wicks
Dean "Deano" Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Matt Di Angelo. He made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that the characters of Deano and his sister Carly were being axed by executive producer Diederick Santer...
in the popular British soap EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, and for his current role of Sean Kennedy in the BBC series Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
.
Education
He attended Southgate SchoolSouthgate School
Southgate School is a state comprehensive secondary school in the London Borough of Enfield. It has approximately 1574 pupils.The school has Specialist Science Status. The school is situated just east of the Cat Hill roundabout of the A111 and A110, between Cockfosters and Oakwood tube stations...
, and started studying acting, singing and dancing, at Boden Studios (Enfield
Enfield Town
Enfield Town is the historic town centre of Enfield, formerly in the county of Middlesex and now in the London Borough of Enfield. It is north north-east of Charing Cross...
/Barnet
Barnet
High Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
), and went on to Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School is an independent fee-paying stage school, in Westminster, London, named after its founder and Principal, Sylvia Young.-Outline:...
. He started a BTEC in Performing arts, however didn't finish.
Career
Di Angelo's first acting role was as Robbie in the television series Harbour Lights in the episode: "Rites of Passage" which first aired on 28 May 2000. Then he played Felix in the CBBCCBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
musical comedy series I Dream
I Dream
I Dream is a British children's musical television comedy programme aimed at and mostly about teenagers, which aired in 2004 . It was set at an esteemed performing arts college near Barcelona, Spain, and focuses on thirteen youths who are invited to enrol at the college, Avalon Heights, over the...
in 2004. This resulted in him making a few appearances in the Sunday morning children's TV show Smile
Smile (TV series)
Smile was a British Sunday morning children's programme created by production company Darrall Macqueen Ltd for CBBC. It first aired in 2002 and was originally shown on the CBBC Channel. It was moved to BBC Two to make way for Dick and Dom in da Bungalow. Although Dick and Dom finished in 2006,...
. He appeared in the film Telling Lies in 2006.
That same year he got his best-known role as Deano Wicks
Deano Wicks
Dean "Deano" Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Matt Di Angelo. He made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that the characters of Deano and his sister Carly were being axed by executive producer Diederick Santer...
in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
where he made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was said that he was working in a shoe shop when he heard that he had got the part. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that Di Angelo would be leaving EastEnders following the departure of Phil Daniels
Phil Daniels
Philip W. "Phil" Daniels is an English actor, most noted for film and television roles as "cockneys" such as Jimmy in Quadrophenia, Richards in Scum, Stewart in The Class of Miss MacMichael, Mark in Meantime, Kevin Wicks in EastEnders, DCS Frank Patterson in New Tricks and Edward Kitchener "Ted"...
(who played his on-screen father Kevin Wicks
Kevin Wicks
Kevin Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Phil Daniels. He made his first appearance on 17 February 2006...
). He described his departure as "a shock". Di Angelo finished filming EastEnders 12 December 2007 and his last appearance in the series aired on 7 February 2008. He has been a hider on Hider in the House
Hider in the House
Hider in the House was a British children's game show presented by Jason King and Joel Ross . In the programme, a celebrity had to be hidden in a family's house by three children and a parent. If the family have fewer than three children, they use friends or related children to make up the numbers...
on CBBC
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
.
Di Angelo's portfolio includes television commercials and modeling, and he has been a guest on a number of programmes, such as The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4...
, Saturday Kitchen
Saturday Kitchen
Saturday Kitchen Live is a 90 minute cookery programme, which is broadcast live on BBC One on Saturday mornings. It is currently presented by James Martin; previous presenters have included Antony Worrall Thompson and Gregg Wallace. The programme is currently produced by Cactus TV...
, Ready Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook was a BBC daytime TV cooking programme it first debuted on 24 October 1994 and the last edition was broadcast on the 2 February 2010. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host...
, Hole In The Wall
Hole in the wall
Hole in the wall may refer to:Places*Hole-in-the-Wall, Seaham Harbour, County Durham, England*Hole-in-the-Wall, Herefordshire, England*Hole in the Wall Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada...
, Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong
Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong
Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong was an entertainment show on Channel 4, presented by Alan Carr. During the first series, voice-over commentary in between rounds on the scores is provided by Leslie Phillips...
, The Weakest Link
The Weakest Link
The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...
and The Friday Night Project
The Friday Night Project
The Sunday Night Project was a British comedy-variety show by Princess Productions that first aired on Channel 4 in February 2005 under the title The Friday Night Project...
'.
In 2007 he appeared in the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
. His dance partner was Flavia Cacace
Flavia Cacace
Flavia Cacace , is an Italian professional dancer. Her professional dance partner is Vincent Simone, and both regularly appear on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Their brand name when performing together is VincentandFlavia...
. He appeared in the final, in which he was runner-up to singer Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon
Alesha Anjanette Dixon is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model and television personality. She first found fame in the all-female R&B trio Mis-Teeq, however, the trio separated in 2005 and Dixon continued pursuing her music career as a solo artist, signing to Polydor Records...
.
Di Angelo competed with Cacace in the live tour of Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
in January and February 2008. They won more shows than any other couple, coming first overall sixteen times and second a further ten times (out of a total of forty shows).
From 11 December 2008 until 31 January 2009 he played the character of Hal in the play Loot
Loot (play)
Loot is a two-act play by the English playwright Joe Orton. The play is a dark farce that satirises the Roman Catholic Church, social attitudes to death, and the integrity of the police force....
in north London's Tricycle Theatre
Tricycle Theatre
The Tricycle Theatre is located on Kilburn High Road in Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent, England. During the last 30 years, the Tricycle has been presenting plays reflecting the cultural diversity of its community; in particular Black, Irish, Jewish, Asian and South African works, as well as...
, then at Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
The Theatre Royal is a Grade I listed building situated on Grey Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was designed by local architects John and Benjamin Green as part of Richard Grainger's grand design for the centre of Newcastle, and was opened on 20 February 1837 with a performance of The Merchant...
3–7 February 2009.
He played "Sean" in all six episodes of the 2009 series of the hit BBC1 series, Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
. He played Fitz Kreiner
Fitz Kreiner
Fitzgerald Michael Kreiner, or simply Fitz, is a fictional character in the Eighth Doctor Adventures novels based upon the British science fiction television series, Doctor Who. The Eighth Doctor first met him in the novel The Taint by Michael Collier — the character was co-created by Stephen Cole...
in the Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
audio play The Company of Friends
The Company of Friends
The Company of Friends is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The play is made of four one-part stories, by different authors, rather than the usual multi-part serial...
.
Di Angelo confirmed on Something for the Weekend
Something for the Weekend (2000s BBC TV series)
Something for the Weekend is a British television series, broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday mornings. It features cookery, drinks, interviews with celebrity guests and clips from the week's television, as well as classic clips in the 'Deja View' section...
his participation in the upcoming film Function at the Junction. The status of this is unknown but according to the Brit Flick website he is still attached to the project.
On 20 April 2009 Di Angelo's agent announced on their website that he would be filming a guest lead in Casualty. This will be the series two-part finale 'No Fjords in Finland' which is due to air on Saturday 25 July and Saturday 1 August 2009. The agent advised that he was busy recording a new pilot show called Fried Brain Sandwich about a stand up comedian, to be directed by Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered and Drop the Dead Donkey).
On 21 July 2009 Di Angelo's agent announced on their website that he would be playing the lead role of Jack Stradler in the low budget film Following Footsteps. He films throughout August for Perry Pictures
Earlier in the year Di Angelo supported 'A Night Less Ordinary' a free ticket scheme for young people launched by the Arts Council for England in February 2009. http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item104320/Stars-launch-A-Night-Less-Ordinary/
Di Angelo is a supporter of the 'Connected to British Films and TV Campaign' urging internet users to pay for their downloads.
In May 2010 Di Angelo was filming Whiskey Robber for Parallel Pictures and series 7 of Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
.
Awards table
| Year | Group | Award | Result | Film/Television series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | British Soap Awards British Soap Awards The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to... |
Sexiest Male | Runner Up | EastEnders EastEnders EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End... |
| 2007 | British Soap Awards British Soap Awards The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to... |
Sexiest Male | Runner Up | EastEnders EastEnders EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End... |
Filmography
- Death in Paradise (TV series)Death in Paradise (TV series)Death in Paradise is a crime drama/comedy joint UK/French television programme filmed in Guadeloupe, the first overseas region of France, starring Ben Miller and Sara Martins.-Synopsis:...
(2011) .... Darren Moore - Following Footsteps (2009) .... Jack Stadler
- Casualty (TV series)Casualty (TV series)Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
(2009).... Tom (Episode "No Fjords in Finland" Parts 1 and 2) - Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
: The Company of FriendsThe Company of FriendsThe Company of Friends is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The play is made of four one-part stories, by different authors, rather than the usual multi-part serial...
(2009) .... Fitz KreinerFitz KreinerFitzgerald Michael Kreiner, or simply Fitz, is a fictional character in the Eighth Doctor Adventures novels based upon the British science fiction television series, Doctor Who. The Eighth Doctor first met him in the novel The Taint by Michael Collier — the character was co-created by Stephen Cole... - HustleHustle (TV series)Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
(2009–) .... Sean Kennedy - Dani's HouseDani's HouseDani's House is a UK BAFTA-nominated Series produced BBC children's sitcom, starring actress Dani Harmer. The series started broadcast on 26 September 2008, three series have now aired and a fourth is currently being broadcast on CBBC, it started on 16 September 2011. A fifth series was...
(2008) .... Himself/ Delivery Man - Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
(2007) .... Himself - EastEndersEastEndersEastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
(2006–2008) .... Deano Wicks - Telling Lies (2006) .... Derek
- I DreamI DreamI Dream is a British children's musical television comedy programme aimed at and mostly about teenagers, which aired in 2004 . It was set at an esteemed performing arts college near Barcelona, Spain, and focuses on thirteen youths who are invited to enrol at the college, Avalon Heights, over the...
(2004) .... Felix - Harbour Lights (2000) .... Robbie
Personal life
Matt dated his former Strictly Come Dancing partner, Flavia CacaceFlavia Cacace
Flavia Cacace , is an Italian professional dancer. Her professional dance partner is Vincent Simone, and both regularly appear on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Their brand name when performing together is VincentandFlavia...
, with whom he had been in a relationship since they appeared on the show together in 2007. The couple ended their relationship in late 2010.