Matty Healy Parents: Meet his Mother Denise Welch, and Father Tim Healy

Matty Healy is the lead singer and guitarist of the popular British rock band 1975, known for their hit songs like “Chocolate”, “The Sound”, and “Somebody Else”. But did you know that he comes from a family of famous actors? His mother is Denise Welch, a TV star and presenter, and his father is Tim Healy, a comedy legend and drama actor. Here is everything you need to know about Matty’s parents and their relationship with their son.
How did Matty Healy’s parents meet and married?
Tim Healy and Denise Welch first met in 1985, when they both auditioned for a play in Newcastle. They did not hit it off right away, as Denise later recalled: “I just thought, he’s such an idiot”. However, they soon fell in love and got married in 1988, in a lavish ceremony attended by celebrities and friends.
The couple welcomed their first son, Matthew Timothy Healy, on April 8, 1989. Matty was born in London but grew up in Newcastle and Manchester, where his parents were working on various TV shows. He developed an interest in music from a young age and learned to play the guitar, piano, and drums. He also formed a band with his school friends, which would later become The 1975.

Matty’s parents supported his musical aspirations and encouraged him to pursue his passion. They also gave him a lot of freedom and independence, as Matty revealed in an interview: “They were very liberal parents. They let me do what I wanted, as long as I wasn’t hurting anybody”.
Matty has a younger brother, Louis Healy, who was born in 2001. Louis is also an actor, and has appeared in TV shows like Emmerdale and Hotel Portofino, and in the film Sometimes Always Never.
Name | Matthew Timothy Healy |
---|---|
Birth date | 8 April 1989 |
Birthplace | Hendon, London, England |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter, musician, producer, director |
Years active | 2012–present |
Parents | Denise Welch and Tim Healy |
Siblings | Louis Healy |
Band | The 1975 |
Genres | Art pop, pop rock, folk, electronic, alternative, experimental |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboard, piano, drums, banjo |
How did Matty’s parents influence his music and life?
Healy has often credited his parents for inspiring his music and life. He has said that his mother taught him how to be expressive and emotional, and his father taught him how to be funny and creative. He has also said that growing up in a showbiz family exposed him to different cultures and experiences, which shaped his worldview and artistic vision.
Matty has also written songs about his parents and their struggles. For example, the song “She Lays Down” from The 1975’s debut album is about his mother’s postnatal depression, which she suffered after giving birth to him. Matty said that the song was based on a story that his mother told him, and that it was very personal and painful to write.
Another song that Matty wrote about his parents is “Don’t Worry” from The 1975’s fourth album, Notes on a Conditional Form. The song features vocals from his father, Tim Healy, who wrote the lyrics in 1990, when he was going through a difficult time in his career and marriage. Matty said that he wanted to include his father’s song on the album as a tribute to him and his resilience.
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How did Healy’s parents cope with his addiction and recovery?
Matty Healy has been open about his struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues, which he has battled since his teens. He has admitted that he used to abuse heroin, cocaine, and alcohol, and that he nearly died from an overdose in 2017. He has also revealed that he suffers from anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and that he has been in therapy for years.
Matty’s parents have been supportive and understanding of his addiction and recovery, and have helped him get the treatment he needed. They have also shared their own experiences with addiction and mental health, as both of them have had their own battles in the past.

Denise Welch has been sober since 2012, after struggling with alcoholism for many years. She has also spoken candidly about her bipolar disorder, which she was diagnosed with in 1989, after Matty’s birth. She has said that she is proud of Matty for being honest and brave about his issues, and that she hopes he can inspire others to seek help .
Tim Healy has also had his share of health problems, which he has overcome with the help of his family and friends. In 2016, he suffered a heart attack while filming in Spain, and had to undergo emergency surgery. He recovered well, and thanked his fans and colleagues for their support. He has also said that he is grateful for Matty’s recovery, and that he loves him very much .
How Matty’s parents are doing now?
Matty Healy’s parents are still active and successful in their careers and personal lives. They divorced in 2012, after 24 years of marriage, but they remain on good terms and co-parent their sons. They have both remarried and found happiness with their new partners.
Denise Welch married Lincoln Townley, a PR executive and artist, in 2013. They live in Cheshire, England, and have a dog named Tilly. Denise continues to work as a TV presenter and actress, and has appeared in shows like Hollyoaks, Doctors, and Boy Meets Girl. She has also written several books, including an autobiography and a novel. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and charity work, and has won several awards for her efforts .
Tim Healy married Joan Anderton, a former actress and singer, in 2015. They live in Wilmslow, England, and have a cat named Alfie. Tim continues to work as a TV and stage actor, and has appeared in shows like Still Open All Hours, Ackley Bridge, and The Cockfields. He has also written and performed his own one-man show, An Evening with Tim Healy. He is a supporter of various causes, such as animal welfare, children’s rights, and cancer research .
Matty Healy’s parents are both proud and happy for their son, who has achieved worldwide fame and acclaim with his band. They often attend his concerts and support his music, and they share a close and loving bond with him. Healy’s parents are not only famous actors, but also amazing parents, who have raised a talented and courageous son.
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