Turkey tycoon Matthews dies on Thanksgiving

A “TURKEY tycoon” who became a cult figure thanks to his catchphrase Bootiful! has died at the age of 80 — just at the start of the US Thanksgiving holiday.

Farmer and businessman Bernard Matthews made a multi-million pound fortune through his vast poultry company — becoming Europe’s biggest turkey processor, and is widely credited with bringing cheap turkey meat to the masses.

In a statement on his company’s website, chief executive Noel Bartram said: “I have personally known Bernard Matthews for well over 30 years, and on behalf of myself and my fellow colleagues, I wish to express our great sorrow and extend our thoughts and sympathies to the family.”