Michael Winder, actor
Matthew Holman (played by Michael Winder)
He came, he saw, he milked - and did he also steal Pip's heart?...
Are Pip and Matthew (milk)made for each other? Vote now!
Who is Matthew?:
A contract milker from an agency, taken on at Brookfield to ease the burden.
How did he come (twice) to Ambridge?:
In the summer of 2015, Matthew was taken on at Brookfield as a contract milker, to replace Pip who was off to start her training before possibly travelling to Brazil and other exotic places as a Technical Manager with a top agricultural company. But in the aftermath of David’s momentous decision for the family to stay put at Brookfield, and not sell up and move North, Pip felt the pull of the farm and her family and ditched the new job virtually before she’d started.
This last minute change of heart saw Matthew back at the agency before his milking bucket could touch the ground (ok, we know the technique is a little more sophisticated, but you get the dramatic imagery).
Matthew wasn’t bitter, though, although Pip felt guilty about losing him money and remained keen to reimburse him (ooh er). Perhaps it was fate that Matthew would, just a few months later, be taken on properly in David and Pip’s hour of need, with Ruth away in New Zealand to clear her head.
From the moment he arrived in December, Matthew couldn’t wait to get stuck in. A single guy (it's such a mobile job and it's tricky to keep a relationship going), Matthew had done a National Diploma in agriculture (NDA) with dairy specialism. He always knew he wanted to work with cows. He's worked with a lot of different systems, including robotics for a couple of months in Suffolk.
Pip was clearly impressed by Matthew’s knowledge and ideas (blimey this rings a bell – Ruth and a certain herdsman called Sam?! - although at least in this case no marriages are under threat).
During Christmas 2015, Matthew and Pip enjoyed a kiss under the mistletoe. Since then they’ve spent odd furtive nights in each other’s company (we're still not sure whether David has cottoned on!), much to the chagrin of Toby and Rex Fairbrother.
Is Matthew the man for Pip?
Time will tell, but with Matthew set to finish up his work and head off for pastures new, he and Pip face a tough time keeping whatever they have going…
Pip hasn’t had much luck in love. Remember when she fell for a most unsuitable older man?...
Who's the man behind Matthew the milker?:
Michael Winder is a 30 year old actor who was born in Lancashire. Michael has recently completed filming Set The Thames On Fire, in which he stars with Noel Fielding and Sadie Frost. He has appeared in BBC TV dramas including George Gently and Tudors. Other credits include Channel 4’s Privado and E4’s Misfits.
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