A FORMER bodyguard of Michael Jackson, the celebrity martial arts instructor Matt Fiddes is set to make Tavistock his new home after falling in love with a local girl and the town itself.

Matt has been staying at Brown's Hotel for the past two months while he spends time with girlfriend and former Tavistock Times employee Rebecca Coker to look for a property together.

He told the Times this week that he was 'smitten' with trainee accountant Becky, who he met through a family member eight weeks ago, and the people of the town who just treated him 'like a normal bloke'.

The owner of the world famous multi-million pound martial arts empire first shot to fame for his unique teaching style and skills when he opened his first Tae Kwondo school in Barnstaple, which made him a millionaire at only 19. He now has schools all over the world and has been a regular on TV programmes.

His clients include Peter Andre, Danielle Lloyd and Jermaine Jackson.

A close personal friend of the late pop star Michael Jackson, who he met through mutual friend, entertainer Uri Geller, Matt was the singing star's unofficial bodyguard for 12 years and became used to having to face the paparazzi everywhere he went.

He said this week it was great to come to a place like Tavistock, where no one really cared about celebrity. He said: 'Becky and her friends and the people of Tavistock are really down to earth. They have been really nice and protective.

The 32-year-old, who is a divorcee with three children, aged seven, five and four, met Becky through her cousin who is also an employee of Matt's.

'She had been talking about this girl for months and when I finally met her we just clicked,' he said. 'Because of what I do it is hard to find someone genuine but Becky is totally genuine, not materialistic and not fascinated by celebrity in any way. She's fantastic and I am totally mad about her.'

Tavistock has also worked its magic on the Swindon-born star, who despite having plenty of access to his own fitness facilities, has joined up with Bodyzone gym. He is a regular at the Peter Tavy Inn and Taylor's Restaurant and wants to work with local schools.

'I spend a lot of time touring schools trying to encourage kids to stay off drugs and alcohol and promote anti bullying by using martial arts as a way of reaching out to young people to make a positive impact on their lives.

'It is something I would really like to do here in Tavistock.'

The self-made millionnaire, who is currently appearing on the covers of international magazines 'Combat' and 'Martial Arts Illustrated', is also thinking about opening a martial arts school in the town in the future.

He has visited Tavistock in the past with The Jacksons, including Michael, who took a great interest in the history of Sir Francis Drake.

He said of his friend that behind closed doors Michael Jackson, who was godfather to one of his daughters, was completely different to his public image: 'He was a very intelligent man who knew how to play the media mask. He used to say 'My life needs to be the greatest show on earth.'

He said Michael's death in 2009 was a shock but not a surprise given the immense pressure of his 50 show comeback tour which was in fact going to be his last: 'He was going to give it all up to concentrate on his kids. It was so sad he never got to do this,' added Matt.

Becky said she knew very little about Matt when she met him: 'I just thought he is tall, dark and handsome and just my type,' she said. 'I also like the fact that he is quite shy and a totally genuine, nice person who is fun to be around.

'I do not think much about his celebrity life when I am with him but it did hit home the other day when we were looking at a book about Michael Jackson in HMV and he was on the cover.'