Mathew Baynton: Actor, Writer, and Ghosts Co-Creator

If you’ve laughed at a British sitcom in the last decade, chances are Mathew Baynton was behind it, from co-creating the beloved BBC series Ghosts to popping up in Wonka (2023). Baynton has built a career on understated versatility that makes him a cult comedy star.

Born: 18 November 1980 ·
Nationality: English ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, musician, writer ·
Spouse: Kelly Robinson ·
Children: 1 ·
Instagram followers: 183,000

Here’s a quick reference of Baynton’s key details.

What is Mathew Baynton most famous for?

Co-creator and star of Ghosts

Mathew Baynton is widely recognized for co-creating the BBC One sitcom Ghosts with the Them There collective. According to Rose Bruford College (official college profile), he reteamed with the Horrible Histories troupe in 2019 to create the series. Baynton plays Thomas Thorne, a dim-witted, romantic poet ghost, one of the show’s most beloved characters. The series ran for five seasons and spawned a US adaptation.

• Baynton also co-wrote many episodes alongside Laurence Rickard, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, and Ben Willbond (Rose Bruford College (official college profile)).
• The series earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Scripted Comedy (Rose Bruford College (official college profile)).

Role in Wonka (2023)

In the musical fantasy film Wonka, Baynton portrayed Fickelgruber, a rival chocolatier who tries to sabotage young Willy Wonka. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) lists Wonka among his major credits alongside The Wrong Mans and Bill. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet, grossed over $630 million worldwide, giving Baynton his highest-profile film role to date.

The Wrong Mans and other works

Baynton co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the BBC Two comedy-thriller The Wrong Mans with James Corden. The series, which aired in 2013, follows two office workers caught in a criminal conspiracy. Rose Bruford College notes that Baynton collaborated with Corden to create, write, and star in the show, which earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Scripted Comedy.

Earlier, Baynton was a core cast member of Horrible Histories from 2009 to 2013, appearing in all five original series (Horrible Histories Wiki (fan-created encyclopedia)). He did not return for the revival in 2015. He also starred in Bill (2015), a comedy loosely based on Shakespeare’s early life, and the Sky One fantasy series Yonderland.

The implication: his career shows that consistent ensemble work builds lasting influence.

Who did Mathew Baynton play in Gavin and Stacey?

Character: Deano

Baynton appeared as Deano, a minor character, in a single episode of the beloved BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) lists this among his early television credits. The role came before his breakthrough in Horrible Histories.

Episode appearance

The exact episode is Series 1, Episode 5, which aired in 2007. In the scene, Deano briefly interacts with Smithy (James Corden) and other characters. It’s a small part but notable for fans tracing Baynton’s early work.

Legacy of the role

That brief appearance has become a trivia point for dedicated viewers. While Baynton didn’t return to the show, the role predates his major collaborations with the Gavin & Stacey cast, including James Corden. Rose Bruford College notes that Baynton later collaborated with Corden on The Wrong Mans, suggesting the two actors developed a professional relationship after their shared Gavin & Stacey connection.

What this means: Even minor roles can lead to major partnerships. The Gavin & Stacey cameo is a footnote in Baynton’s career, but it helped him network with people who later became longtime collaborators.

The pattern: small appearances often build professional bridges.

Are James Corden and Mathew Baynton friends?

Their collaboration on Gavin & Stacey

Baynton and Corden worked together on Gavin & Stacey (with Baynton in a guest role) and later co-created The Wrong Mans. However, neither actor has publicly discussed a close personal friendship. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) notes their professional collaboration but does not detail a personal relationship.

James Corden’s public apology

In 2023, James Corden issued a public apology after a restaurant incident in New York made headlines. Neither Corden nor Baynton has commented on how this affected their relationship. The apology was directed at the restaurant staff, not at any colleague.

Public perception of their friendship

Fans often speculate that the two are close because of their on-screen chemistry in The Wrong Mans. Yet without direct statements, the nature of their bond remains unclear. According to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), Baynton is primarily associated with the Them There collective rather than Corden’s circle.

The catch: public perception can misread professional chemistry as personal closeness.

Are Mathew Baynton and Daisy May Cooper related?

No biological relation

Despite their shared comedic background, Mathew Baynton and Daisy May Cooper are not related by blood or marriage. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) lists no familial connection between the two. They are separate individuals who both work in the British comedy industry.

Professional connections

Baynton and Cooper have both appeared in the same comedy circles. Cooper starred in This Country (which she co-created) and has guested on Taskmaster and Ghosts – shows Baynton is also linked to. However, no credible source shows a family tie. The misconception may stem from their similar surname endings and overlapping fanbases.

Common misconceptions

Online forums occasionally ask if they are siblings. The answer is no. Rose Bruford College lists Baynton’s family as his wife Kelly Robinson and their child, with no mention of Daisy May Cooper. For clarity: they are not related.

The pattern: Audience confusion between well-known comedians with similar names is common, but the facts are straightforward.

The implication: surname similarities can create false assumptions.

Does Mathew Baynton have kids?

One child with Kelly Robinson

Yes, Baynton has one child with his wife, Kelly Robinson. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) confirms that he is married to Robinson and they have one child together. The child’s name and gender have not been made public, reflecting the couple’s desire for privacy.

Private family life

Baynton rarely shares details about his family on social media or in interviews. His Instagram account (183,000 followers) occasionally shows behind-the-scenes work, but personal family photos are absent. This aligns with his generally quiet public persona.

Balancing parenthood and career

In interviews, Baynton has referenced fatherhood in the context of his busy schedule. According to Horrible Histories Wiki (fan-created encyclopedia), his career has remained active throughout his parenthood, including filming Ghosts and preparing for stage roles like Nick Bottom in the RSC’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The implication: his private approach to fatherhood protects his family while allowing his work to speak for itself.

“He is absolutely amazing. Seemingly dignified, but with just enough crazy (and short shorts) to be…”

– Reddit user comment on Mathew Baynton’s Taskmaster appearance

For Baynton, the career-fame balance is clear: he prioritizes creative work over media exposure. For British comedy fans, that means more quality content and fewer tabloid headlines.