THEY live a quiet life in a Southampton suburb, but double up as an online sensation with 5.8 million followers on social media platform TikTok.

Content creators Matthew and Ryan share their lives via regular comedy videos.

Their verified matthewandryanuk account is among the top 100 UK TikTok influencers with millions of fans tuning in from around the globe, particularly in the US and The Philippines.

Matthew Mackinnon, aged 29, and 27-year-old Ryan Payne are keen gardeners who love exploring the countryside and taking their Boston terrier Roscoe for walks.

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As their social media following continues to grow, these days they are mobbed by adoring fans even during a Saturday afternoon shopping trip to Primark or while settling down to enjoy a play at Mayflower Theatre.

"We're used to it," says Ryan. "Where it has happened gradually, it's not been an issue for us. We enjoy meeting people.

"We're always together," adds Matt. "I think it maybe helps to break the ice and people don't feel as awkward approaching us."

Daily Echo:

Ryan, from Northamptonshire, was already using YouTube for fashion and make-up content during his time at Solent University.

When he met Matt, who grew up in Southampton, on the popular dating app Tinder six years ago, they decided to launch a YouTube channel together, which soon led to Instagram and then TikTok in its early days. 

Their videos can include everything from pottery to pranks in their local Tesco and from trips to the beach to international travel.

"We hope to help people escape just for a minute or two and enjoy themselves," says Matthew. "If someone smiles at something we've created, that makes us very happy."

Daily Echo:

Ryan adds: "We've just picked it up and learned. We love sharing our lives, our relationship and our adventures. We're up for everything!"

The content is always family-friendly and is particularly popular among the LGBT community with the gay couple offering advice and help on coming out and sexual orientation.

Matthew and Ryan appeared in the first-ever TikTok television advert and are hoping to take on some TV presenting and theatre work.

 

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