matthew jackson, played by steven hartley, is the manager of the local music store. he is first seen on screen in may 1988 as a new love interest for the social worker, carmel roberts (judith jacob). matthew had had an unhappy childhood. his mother lynne jackson (patricia ford) had become pregnant at 16 and after bringing him up for 15 years, she had been forced to put him into custody. matthew was fostered by another family and he had subsequently refused all contact with his mother and rather resented her for abandoning him.