Web star famed for silly dance eyes new gig: charity

By Frederick H. Katayama

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Matt Harding has won cult celebrity status by filming himself dancing badly around the world to the amusement of millions of Internet viewers but now he wants to get serious -- raising money for laptops for the poor.

Harding, 31, began his unusual route to fame five years ago when he quit his job as a video game maker and set off to travel the world, with a traveling pal suggesting he do the same jig he used to do in the office and film himself in different spots.

"My sister asked me to put it up on the Internet so she could show some co-workers of hers. It turns out people who never met me got something from it," Harding, an American, told Reuters in an interview in New York's Central Park.

His edited clip which he posted in the fall of 2004 -- at the same time registering a website, wherethehellismatt.com -- became an Internet hit and came to the attention of executives at Cadbury's Stride chewing gum who offered to fund future trips.

"When we first met Matt, we wanted to give him the opportunity to do what he wanted and go where he wanted. From our perspective, it's really a very fun way to engage our consumers," said Cadbury spokesperson Stephanie Minna.

Armed with a bigger budget, Harding danced around the world , through 39 countries, including the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica, producing a second video that has drawn nearly 11 million viewers to date on YouTube.

Last year, he embarked on his latest venture, getting local to boogey his geeky dance with him in 46 countries.

His latest and third video, which runs for four-and-a-half minutes has been watched by nearly 19 million people on YouTube.