Matthew Todd (writer): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Gay British writer}} |
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{{Other uses|Matthew Todd (disambiguation){{!}}Matthew Todd}} |
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{{BLP sources|date=March 2010}} |
{{BLP sources|date=March 2010}} |
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{{Use British English |date=March 2022 }} |
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{{Use dmy dates |date=March 2022 }} |
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{{Infobox person/Wikidata | fetchwikidata=ALL}} |
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'''Matthew Todd''' is a British writer, editor, and occasional [[stand-up comedy|stand-up comedian]]. He is the author of ''Straight Jacket - Overcoming Society's Legacy of Gay Shame'',<ref name="Guardian biog">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/matthew-todd |title=Matthew Todd |work=[[The Guardian]] |date= |access-date=2022-03-19 }}</ref> a non-fiction title published by [[Bantam Press]] in June 2016 and the play ''[[Blowing Whistles]]'' which has been performed in London, Australia and the United States. He was the editor of the UK gay magazine ''[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]]''<ref name="Guardian biog"/> between 2008 and 2016<ref name="Penguin biog">{{cite web |url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/1070157/matthew-todd.html?tab=penguin-biography |title=Matthew Todd: Biography |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |date= |access-date=2022-03-19 }}</ref><ref name="Attitude farewell">{{cite news |url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/attitudes-matthew-todd-bids-farewell-in-final-editors-letter/11388/ |title=''Attitude''{{'}}s Matthew Todd bids farewell in final editor's letter |author=Matthew Todd |work=[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]] |date=2016-07-14 |access-date=2022-03-19 }}</ref> for which he won three [[British Society of Magazine Editors]] awards.<ref name="Penguin biog"/> In June 2016, for his last issue as editor, [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Prince William]] sat for the cover of ''Attitude'',<ref name="Penguin biog"/> the first time a member of the royal family had appeared in a gay magazine. |
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'''Matthew Todd''' is a playwright, stand up comedian and award winning journalist. He is the author of the critically acclaimed play Blowing Whistles and is currently the editor of the UK gay magazine ''[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]]'' . He was named Stonewall Journalist of the Year 2011 and Men's Magazine Editor of the Year 2011 by the British Society of Magazine Editors (having also been nominated in 2009 and 2010). |
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==Career== |
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He appears on the Kate Silverton Show on BBC Radio Five Live as a monthly debate panelist and appears regularly on TV and radio including on BBC News 24, The Truth About Take That (Channel 4), Out To School (Channel 4), The Most Annoying Celebrities of 2009 (Sky One) and Take The Mike (ITV1) amongst many others. |
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Todd worked for LGBTQ+ rights group [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]] in the early 1990s before joining ''Attitude'' magazine in 1996. He was editor of ''Attitude'' between 2008 and 2016.<ref name="Penguin biog"/> |
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For ''Attitude'' he conducted [[Madonna]]'s only UK gay press interview, [[Daniel Radcliffe]]'s first and only gay press interview in the world, gay rugby player [[Gareth Thomas (rugby, born 1974)|Gareth Thomas]]'s first gay press interview, [[Boy George]]'s first national magazine interview after he came out of prison, [[Stephen Gately]]'s first interview after he came out in ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' and [[Michael Sam]]'s first UK gay press interview. For his last issue Prince William met a group of LGBT people who had experience bullying that had affected their [[mental health]] and appeared on the cover of ''Attitude'', making history as the first time a member of the royal family had done so. He issued a statement to ''Attitude'' which said "No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason". This was the first time a member of the British royal family explicitly condemned homophobia. |
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For ''Attitude'' he has interviewed celebrities including Madonna, Daniel Radcliffe, Adam Lambert, Gareth Thomas, Armistead Maupin, Stephen Gately, Boy George, Bette Milder, Kathleen Turner, Harvey Fierstein, David Furnish, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Victoria Wood, Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Graham Norton, Anthony Sher, Lady Gaga, Sir Ian McKellen, Peter Tatchell, Paul O'Grady, Ricky Gervais, Russell Brand and the Pet Shop Boys. He conducted Madonna's only UK gay press interview, Daniel Radcliffe's first and only gay press interview in the world, gay rugby player Gareth Thomas's first gay press interview, Boy George's first national magazine interview after he came out of prison and Stephen Gately's first interview after he came out in ''The Sun''. |
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Todd has made numerous television and radio appearances including on [[Sky News]] and [[BBC News 24]], [[NBC]], ''[[Lorraine (TV programme)|Lorraine]]'', ''[[The Wright Stuff]]'' and appeared regularly on the [[Kate Silverton]] show on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]]. |
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Todd worked for gay rights group Stonewall in the early nineties before joining ''Attitude'' magazine as editorial assistant in 1996. He subsequently worked at both Top of the Pops and Live & Kicking magazines and was the lesbian and gay editor of ''What's On in London'' in 2006-2007. He has been the editor of ''Attitude'' since May 2008. |
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As a stand |
As a stand-up comedian, Todd was a finalist of the Mardi Gras Comedy Competition and The Big Big Big New Act Competition and appeared on the ITV show ''Take the Mic''. In 2004–2005 he ran and hosted a popular weekly comedy night at the Yard Bar on [[Rupert Street]] in London at which performers such as [[Rhod Gilbert]], [[Alan Carr]] and [[Greg Davies]]. |
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In 2017 he appeared as himself in the [[BBC Radio 4]] play ''How Success Ruined Me'' alongside Christopher Green and [[Roy Hudd]]. |
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Todd is a supporter of the work of gay psychologist Alan Downs (author of The Velvet Rage which Attitude based an issue around in September 2009) and also gay therapists David Smallwood and [[Joe Kort]], all of whom currently write for Attitude. He is also a firm supporter of environmental organisations and charities and created a Facebook group called Green Gays. |
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==Blowing Whistles== |
==Blowing Whistles== |
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Todd's play ''[[Blowing Whistles]]'' |
Todd's play ''[[Blowing Whistles]]'' is a dark comedy which seems to celebrate gay sex culture but ends up strongly critiquing it. It had a first run in June 2005 at the [[Warehouse Theatre]], Croydon, where it was directed by [[Phil Willmott]]. Following this it was performed at Sound Theatre, off [[Leicester Square]], London, in 2006, and it has since seen productions in [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Adelaide]], [[Fire Island]], [[Boston]], [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]] and [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]]. In 2012 it has been produced in [[San Francisco]] and [[Toronto]]. |
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It returned to London transferring to the [[Leicester Square Theatre]] in 2008 in a production by Jonathan Altaras, directed by Pete Nettell who directed the Sydney production. It received positive notices from such diverse publications as the gay press through to |
It returned to London transferring to the [[Leicester Square Theatre]] in 2008 in a production by Jonathan Altaras, directed by Pete Nettell who directed the Sydney production. It received positive notices from such diverse publications as the gay press through to ''[[The Spectator]]'', ''[[Sunday Express]]'', ''[[Evening Standard]]'' and ''[[The Stage]]'' which compared it to the work of [[Larry Kramer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/22209/blowing-whistles |title=Blowing Whistles |author=Mark Shenton |work=[[The Stage]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612045431/https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/22209/blowing-whistles |date=2008-10-24 |archive-date=2011-06-12 |access-date=2022-03-19 }}</ref> Leading website Whatsonstage.com called it "the brightest gay play in ages" and popular theatrical website West End Whingers called it "the best gay play since ''[[Beautiful Thing (play)|Beautiful Thing]]''". |
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==''Straight Jacket''== |
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==The Issues Issue== |
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In June 2016 Todd's first book, ''Straight Jacket'', was released by [[Bantam Press]], part of [[Penguin Random House]]. A non-fiction book about the effect of prejudice on LGBT people, it received a positive reception. Singer [[John Grant (musician)|John Grant]] wrote the foreword, describing it as "a much needed work of tough love". [[Elton John]] described it as "an essential read for every gay person on the planet",<ref name="Penguin biog"/> [[Owen Jones (writer)|Owen Jones]] called it "utterly brilliant" in ''[[The Guardian]]'', singer [[Will Young]] on his podcast, ''Homosapiens'', said "It's amazing. I do think it's going to be a seminal work. I think it will be used as a study book, it's that level", popular YouTuber [[Calum McSwiggan]] described it "as the book everyone is talking about", writer [[Juno Dawson]] said "I believe this powerful book will save lives", [[Michael Cashman]] called it "one of the most powerful books I have ever read" and [[Paris Lees]] said "This is a hugely important book for everyone. It's changed the way I see myself, other people and the world". ''Straight Jacket'' was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and was voted Best LGBT Book of the Year 2017 by readers of ''[[Boyz (magazine)|Boyz]]'' magazine. |
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In August 2010, Todd wrote a ten-page feature entitled "How To Be Gay and Happy" about the generally unspoken-about subject of gay men and mental health. Citing the work of US author and therapist Alan Downs, author of the book ''The Velvet Rage'', Todd suggested that the high levels of depression, addiction and suicidal thoughts amongst gay men were due to the overwhelming shaming of gay people during childhood and suggested ways forward for the gay community. The issue provoked the magazine's largest mail bag in its history and Todd was subsequently asked to speak about the subject at the Home Office and as the closing plenary of the annual Terrence Higgins Trust CHAPS HIV prevention conference in Manchester in March 2011. A public event at the Drill Hall on 8 May 2011 was held and more are planned across the country. |
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==Awards== |
==Awards== |
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* [[Stonewall Awards|Stonewall]] Journalist of the Year 2011<ref name="Attitude farewell"/> |
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* British Society of Magazine Editor's Scoop of the Year 2016 for Prince William appearing on the cover of ''Attitude''<ref name="Attitude farewell"/> |
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* ''Boyz'' magazine Best LGBT Book 2017 for ''Straight Jacket''<ref name="Penguin books">{{cite web |url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/1070157/matthew-todd.html |title=Matthew Todd |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |date= |access-date=2022-03-19 }}</ref> |
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* Shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize for ''Straight Jacket''<ref name="Penguin books"/> |
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* Awarded [[Freedom of the City of London]] 2017<ref name="Penguin biog"/> |
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Winner Stonewall Journalist of the Year 2011 |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* {{Official website}} |
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* {{Twitter}} |
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* {{Instagram}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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Nominations: |
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Also for Campaign of the Year 2011 (For 'Issues Issue: How to be Gay & Happy) |
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PPA Awards Consumer Magazine Editor of the Year 2012 |
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Under Todd's Editorship Attitude nominated for:- |
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Stonewall Publication of the Year 2010 under Todd's editorship. |
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PPA Consumer Magazine of the Year 2012 |
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PPA Digital product of the Year 2012 |
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==Independent Pink List== |
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In 2008, The Independent Pink List named Todd as the 90th most influential gay person in the UK, the first time an editor of ''Attitude'' magazine had been included in the list. |
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In 2009, Todd moved up five places to 85 with the Independent stating that he had 'taken Attitude by storm'. |
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In 2010, Todd moved up 30 places to be named 55th most influential gay person in the UK. |
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In 2011, Todd moved up a further 35 places to number 20. |
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<!--- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> |
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<references/> |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME = Todd, Matthew |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British writer |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = |
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| DATE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Todd, Matthew}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Todd, Matthew}} |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:British dramatists and playwrights]] |
[[Category:British dramatists and playwrights]] |
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[[Category:British magazine editors]] |
[[Category:British magazine editors]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:British gay writers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:British LGBTQ dramatists and playwrights]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:British male dramatists and playwrights]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] |
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[[Category:Male dramatists and playwrights]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:47, 25 September 2024
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Matthew Todd | |
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| Occupation | Magazine editor, writer  |
| Employer |
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| Awards |
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| Website | http://www.matthewtodd.net/ |
Matthew Todd is a British writer, editor, and occasional stand-up comedian. He is the author of Straight Jacket - Overcoming Society's Legacy of Gay Shame,[1] a non-fiction title published by Bantam Press in June 2016 and the play Blowing Whistles which has been performed in London, Australia and the United States. He was the editor of the UK gay magazine Attitude[1] between 2008 and 2016[2][3] for which he won three British Society of Magazine Editors awards.[2] In June 2016, for his last issue as editor, Prince William sat for the cover of Attitude,[2] the first time a member of the royal family had appeared in a gay magazine.
Career
[edit]Todd worked for LGBTQ+ rights group Stonewall in the early 1990s before joining Attitude magazine in 1996. He was editor of Attitude between 2008 and 2016.[2]
For Attitude he conducted Madonna's only UK gay press interview, Daniel Radcliffe's first and only gay press interview in the world, gay rugby player Gareth Thomas's first gay press interview, Boy George's first national magazine interview after he came out of prison, Stephen Gately's first interview after he came out in The Sun and Michael Sam's first UK gay press interview. For his last issue Prince William met a group of LGBT people who had experience bullying that had affected their mental health and appeared on the cover of Attitude, making history as the first time a member of the royal family had done so. He issued a statement to Attitude which said "No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason". This was the first time a member of the British royal family explicitly condemned homophobia.
Todd has made numerous television and radio appearances including on Sky News and BBC News 24, NBC, Lorraine, The Wright Stuff and appeared regularly on the Kate Silverton show on BBC Radio 5 Live.
As a stand-up comedian, Todd was a finalist of the Mardi Gras Comedy Competition and The Big Big Big New Act Competition and appeared on the ITV show Take the Mic. In 2004–2005 he ran and hosted a popular weekly comedy night at the Yard Bar on Rupert Street in London at which performers such as Rhod Gilbert, Alan Carr and Greg Davies.
In 2017 he appeared as himself in the BBC Radio 4 play How Success Ruined Me alongside Christopher Green and Roy Hudd.
Blowing Whistles
[edit]Todd's play Blowing Whistles is a dark comedy which seems to celebrate gay sex culture but ends up strongly critiquing it. It had a first run in June 2005 at the Warehouse Theatre, Croydon, where it was directed by Phil Willmott. Following this it was performed at Sound Theatre, off Leicester Square, London, in 2006, and it has since seen productions in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fire Island, Boston, Palm Springs and Fort Lauderdale. In 2012 it has been produced in San Francisco and Toronto.
It returned to London transferring to the Leicester Square Theatre in 2008 in a production by Jonathan Altaras, directed by Pete Nettell who directed the Sydney production. It received positive notices from such diverse publications as the gay press through to The Spectator, Sunday Express, Evening Standard and The Stage which compared it to the work of Larry Kramer.[4] Leading website Whatsonstage.com called it "the brightest gay play in ages" and popular theatrical website West End Whingers called it "the best gay play since Beautiful Thing".
Straight Jacket
[edit]In June 2016 Todd's first book, Straight Jacket, was released by Bantam Press, part of Penguin Random House. A non-fiction book about the effect of prejudice on LGBT people, it received a positive reception. Singer John Grant wrote the foreword, describing it as "a much needed work of tough love". Elton John described it as "an essential read for every gay person on the planet",[2] Owen Jones called it "utterly brilliant" in The Guardian, singer Will Young on his podcast, Homosapiens, said "It's amazing. I do think it's going to be a seminal work. I think it will be used as a study book, it's that level", popular YouTuber Calum McSwiggan described it "as the book everyone is talking about", writer Juno Dawson said "I believe this powerful book will save lives", Michael Cashman called it "one of the most powerful books I have ever read" and Paris Lees said "This is a hugely important book for everyone. It's changed the way I see myself, other people and the world". Straight Jacket was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and was voted Best LGBT Book of the Year 2017 by readers of Boyz magazine.
Awards
[edit]- Stonewall Journalist of the Year 2011[3]
- British Society of Magazine Editor's Men's Magazine Editor of the Year 2011[3]
- British Society of Magazine Editor's Men's Brand Editor of the Year 2015[3]
- British Society of Magazine Editor's Scoop of the Year 2016 for Prince William appearing on the cover of Attitude[3]
- Boyz magazine Best LGBT Book 2017 for Straight Jacket[5]
- Shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize for Straight Jacket[5]
- Awarded Freedom of the City of London 2017[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Matthew Todd". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Matthew Todd: Biography". Penguin Books. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Matthew Todd (14 July 2016). "Attitude's Matthew Todd bids farewell in final editor's letter". Attitude. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Mark Shenton (24 October 2008). "Blowing Whistles". The Stage. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Matthew Todd". Penguin Books. Retrieved 19 March 2022.