In a touching farewell that has rippled across the British television industry, Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has paid a moving tribute to a behind-the-scenes hero whose work kept some of soap’s most dramatic moments safe — and spectacular. Fire safety advisor Matthew Owens, a quiet but vital presence on the sets of some of the UK’s most iconic shows, has died, leaving colleagues, friends, and family in mourning.

Antony Cotton, known to millions as the ever-optimistic barman and factory worker Sean Tully on Coronation Street, took to Instagram to express his grief over the sudden loss of his longtime friend and colleague. Alongside a photograph of the order of service from Owens’ funeral, Cotton wrote an emotional tribute that reflected both the personal bond they shared and the profound respect Owens commanded in the television industry.

“Today was a very hard day for so many people, especially Matt’s family,” Cotton wrote. “I still can’t quite get my head around it, to be honest. Matt was just a really, really nice lad.”

The actor went on to recall their first meeting during a major stunt sequence on Coronation Street in 2013 — a year that marked Owens’ debut with the soap as part of its fire safety team. The stunt in question was no minor detail either: the infamous Rovers Return Inn fire, a storyline that shocked audiences and required painstaking coordination behind the scenes.

“We met when he did the fire safety for a stunt block at Coronation Street, 13 years ago and we’ve been friends ever since,” Cotton wrote. “He was a much-loved son, brother, dad, colleague, and partner. He was also a quiet and humble, solid friend.”

“I’ll miss hearing from you Matt, out of the blue sometimes, but always with a smile. You are at rest now, no more worries Matty Boy.”

A Quiet Force Behind TV’s Biggest Explosions

Though Matthew Owens was never seen on camera, his contributions to British television were enormous. A firefighter by profession, Owens brought a unique blend of real-world safety expertise and production experience to some of the most dangerous and logistically complex sequences in soap history.

Owens began his television work with Emmerdale in 2011, quickly becoming a key figure in the staging of several landmark stunt episodes. Among them: the dramatic helicopter crash that stunned audiences in 2015 and the Hotten bypass crash — a brutal, fiery pile-up that remains one of the soap’s most iconic sequences.

His presence wasn’t just about safety, but also about storytelling. Working closely with directors, producers, stunt teams, and actors, Owens helped orchestrate chaos — safely. Whether it was an explosion, a crash, or a fire, his goal was always the same: create believable danger without ever putting lives at risk.

His expertise eventually took him to Hollyoaks and, of course, Coronation Street, where he returned repeatedly for major stunt blocks. Most recently, Owens was part of the team behind the soap’s 2021 Halloween episodes — a tense, high-stakes multi-episode arc featuring several converging storylines, including Abi Webster’s (Sally Carman) confrontation with Corey Brent (Maximus Evans), the young man responsible for her son Seb’s death, and Leanne Battersby’s (Jane Danson) harrowing hostage situation at the hands of gangster Harvey Gaskell (Will Mellor).

Staged with cinematic ambition, these episodes received critical acclaim for their choreography, tension, and visual scale — a testament to the behind-the-scenes professionals like Owens who brought them to life.

More Than a Crew Member: A Father, A Friend, A Presence

While his professional contributions were impressive, what truly made Owens stand out to those who knew him was his personality: humble, steady, and sincere.

“He was just one of those people who made everything feel a bit more grounded,” said one former colleague. “When you’re blowing up cars or lighting pub sets on fire, that kind of calm is invaluable.”

Cotton’s tribute echoed this sentiment, highlighting Owens’ quiet strength and the gentle but meaningful ways he stayed connected with friends and colleagues.

“Matt would message every now and then, always unexpected, but always with kindness,” Cotton wrote. “It’s those small, consistent gestures that stick with you.”

As a father, partner, and friend, Owens leaves behind a legacy far beyond the stunts and scripts. To those closest to him, he was the person who showed up, who cared, and who worked hard behind the scenes — literally and metaphorically — to keep others safe.

An Industry Mourns a Behind-the-Scenes Hero

In an industry often defined by its stars, it’s rare for the spotlight to shine on those whose work ensures that others can take the stage safely. But Owens’ passing has prompted a rare and heartfelt outpouring from the entertainment community — not just from Coronation Street, but from across the UK television landscape.

Producers, stunt coordinators, and crew members from multiple soaps and networks have posted their condolences, remembering Owens as “the rock on set” and “a real professional, always with a grin and a plan.”

“People like Matt are the glue that hold productions together,” one former Emmerdale crew member posted. “He made us feel safe, and made the work fun.”

A Loss That Hits Home

For Coronation Street, Owens’ passing is more than just the loss of a colleague — it’s the departure of a deeply trusted member of the family. Soap sets are notoriously fast-paced and high-pressure environments, and trust between cast and crew is everything. That trust, in no small part, often rests on the shoulders of people like Matthew Owens.

As Cotton and others grieve, they do so not just for the professional loss, but the personal one. Owens wasn’t just a fire safety advisor — he was part of the heartbeat of the set, a quiet presence in the background ensuring the drama stayed safely on screen.

Final Words

Antony Cotton’s tribute ends with a line that lingers: “You are at rest now, no more worries, Matty Boy.” It is a farewell that feels both intimate and universal — a reminder of the people who give tirelessly, without fanfare, to help stories come to life.

In remembering Matthew Owens, the industry remembers not just the explosions and fires he helped tame, but the warmth, care, and friendship he offered to those lucky enough to know him.

His legacy burns bright — not in the flames he managed, but in the lives he touched behind the scenes.