April 2026

Firstly, huge apologies for the missing update last month. Unfortunately, since my relapse last January my health has suffered and I just haven’t managed to stay ahead of the game so to speak. It doesn’t help of course that February is always very difficult for me. This year as well as mum and dad’ anniversaries, I also lost one of my dogs who was only five years old and had a heart attack.

I know I’ve mentioned this before but time is rushing by and I cannot believe it is April already. The answer I’ve read is that we perceive fewer “frames-per-second” as we get older, and therefore time feels like it’s passing quicker. It’s like a flipbook – the fewer the number of pictures, the quicker you flick to the end. Well, I for one don’t like it, lol

Apart from anniversaries of loved one’s passing, and numerous friends and family’s birthdays we have crammed in Burns Night, Chinese New Year, Holocaust Memorial Day, St Valentine’s Day and did you know that the 20-26^th February was National Chip Week, no nor did I, but I did indulge as it would have been rude not to. This was followed by Pancake Day, World Book Day, St Patrick’s Day, and Mother’s Day. Of course, not all of us follow these celebrations and there are plenty of others I haven’t included but suffice to say they are all zooming past. Just having caught my breath, I have just realised that in a few days it is Easter and treats have to be ordered for my gorgeous grandson. Whatever you chose to acknowledge I hope each day was precious.

It was my partner in crimes birthday In February and my multi-talented friend has just finished a run in the show Come From Away at the Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, Blackpool. Yes, Richard was treading the boards in one of his other passions, acting. Staged by Junction 4 Productions the show has been a great success.

Its my birthday this week and I thank those that have already sent in messages and cards. It’s very kind of you but the only good thing about it is that I now collect my pension every month, lol. It isn’t easy getting old, you have to walk more slowly as the spring in your step isn’t what it once was. You have to accept your crinkly face and sagging neck as there are more lines on there then the underground system. Your hair gets thinner but you don’t notice it immediately because your eyesight is failing. Your bones turn brittle and false teeth beckon. You’ve been there and done that but don’t remember what that was. And you know you are definitely old when you cough, sneeze, fart and pee all at the same time but it is important to take stock of what is important.

Walt Disney once said “Laughter is timeless, Imagination has no age and Dreams are forever and I am living life to the full, maybe not in the way of my youth but I’ve learnt to adapt and live life on my own terms. As you age you gain a wider perspective on life and things that used to bother you aren’t as irksome anymore. While physical limitations impact my mobility, they don’t limit my appreciation of what is important. I don’t feel the need to try and impress people or conform to the norms of society and I’m grateful being able to work at what I am passionate about and enjoy time with my loved ones.

So, there you have it and for any others out there that are celebrating a birthday this month, I say enjoy.

I did address this question In February but I have been swamped with messages as to whether dad features on the new Compare the Market advert. Sadly, the ad men in their wisdom chose the Tony Bennett version of ‘The Good Life’. Incidentally the track was originally a French song titled “La Belle Vie” by Sacha Distel with English lyrics later written by Jack Reardon.

I did say that I didn’t begrudge Tony as it was a staple track of his successful career, just like Born Free will always be associated with dad, but it has been running three months now and wish dad had had the exposure. Adverts like that come around very rarely and it would have been a great platform in which to keep dad’s legacy of music burning brightly.

Talking about dad’s catalogue of songs I hope some of you have enjoyed

the launch at the beginning of the year of our new album download, the never before release of the 60^th anniversary of The Legendary Manila Concert at the Araneta Coliseum on dad’s official YouTube channel and all popular podcast platforms.

I mentioned last year that we were putting together another audio compilation with the working title “Matt at the BBC Volume 2’ which was to be the planned release in January but there were delays waiting for clearance from the BBC but I’m pleased to say that the project is near completion and will be released on our YouTube channel and all streaming sites in June of this year and I have to tell you the sound is extraordinary.

Talk about celebrating, ‘Matt’s Kind of Podcast’ was launched on dad’s birthday last year and we are putting up one edition every month. Thanks to all of you for your support. If you are enjoying it, please tell all your friends to listen in. As you can imagine I was really excited to feature special guest Anita Harris last month and as well as being a very dear friend she had fascinating stories to tell. If you have so far missed it, then take the time to listen in, it is great fun. In fact, if you want to listen to any of our past podcasts then you can click the link below and you will be taken to the full list.

https://podd6d.podbean.com/

Dad’s YouTube channel frequently features rare television performances, interviews and shorts but don’t worry if you weren’t with us from the very beginning as the channel still has all the ones you may have missed by not visiting yet. In fact, Aviator, our partners on the site have managed to unearth and license several rare finds and next month you can see dad’s performance from the Mike Walsh television show in Australia.

Anyway, dad’s YouTube channel is totally free and it would be amazing to hit the 200,000-subscriber mark this year so please tell all your friends to visit us and help us grow so that I can keep dad’s legacy of songs burning bright. If everyone told just one person to subscribe, it would make a huge difference to our numbers. Please don’t think we make money out of new people subscribing, in fact it costs us money to run everything, but it’s the prestige of making the channel as popular as it can be.

Don’t forget to visit dad’s very own YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/MattMonroOfficial

I know I say this every month please let us know if you have any rare footage, (even if you taped it illegally, lol), jingles or photos of dad. Come on all you diehard fans get looking in your attics, even if you have reel-to-reel tapes we have the equipment to listen to it. Fingers crossed.

Once again, I hope you have a happy and healthy year and I look forward to touching base with you all in May. In the meantime, stay safe and keep spreading the MM legacy.

Much love

Michele xx