Tony Manarch’s story is one that can only be described as extraordinary.
Raised on a council estate in London, he started his DJ career almost accidentally at age 16 when he was working on the door of a night club and complained about the music. Challenged to do better, he played his first set with only four records – and landed his own residency two weeks later. With an instinct for reading the crowd, his following grew as fast as his record collection and within six months, he was jet-setting all over the globe as DJ Fat Tony – a nickname given to him by school bullies that Tony decided to embrace to take the power out of the insult.
Taking to the booth in iconic clubs such as the Palladium and Paradise Garage in New York; The Wag Club, Ministry of Sound and Limelight in London; Ku, Space and DC10 in Ibiza, Tony has also played for an extraordinary roll call of stars including Prince, Madonna, Sade, Michael Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Elton John. Simultaneously, he became a fixture on the fashion circuit alongside illustrious names like Kate Moss and Grace Jones.
But with the success and neverending parties came money, drugs and hedonism. Outspoken, candid, and with a sharp sense of humour, Tony has never been shy to talk about his 28-year battle with addiction – famously estimating that he spent a million pounds on drugs. Celebrating 19 years of sobriety in 2026 after a courageous climb from rock bottom, it seems that life has never been better.
With his Instagram account becoming a social media sensation during the pandemic thanks to the eye-wateringly funny memes he posted, today Fat Tony is an author, activist, fundraiser, loving dog parent and happily married. This summer, he is bringing us Boat Brunch Ibiza – an explosion of DJ Fat Tony’s signature high energy and uplifting beats on the Balearic Sea.
“I can’t wait. I wanted to bring forward what’s made Ibiza great all these years. Great music, but intimate surroundings – no frills,” he says. “Everything is so over the top these days that we’ve lost true connection on the dancefloor, so what better way than to watch the sunset with 150 new friends while secret special guest DJs and myself play music?”
Tony’s second book, Recover Me: A User’s Guide to Overcoming Addiction and Insanity has also just been released and is bound to become another bestseller.
“What’s the secret sauce?” we ask him. “I just try to be me. I think being authentic is an important element in longevity – I do not pretend to be something I’m not. And I think that having told my story, people don’t just understand me more – they also understand that there is light after darkness. Anyone can turn their lives around if they are ready to do so, and I think there was a lot more for people to connect with after I published my first memoir.”
Looking back on his extraordinary journey, Tony muses, “I’m often asked if I’d change anything or what I’m most grateful for. I have to say it’s my sobriety, for obvious reasons. But I’m also grateful for my addiction, and the journey it’s created. I went through the darkest times anyone could ever imagine but I wouldn’t change any of it. It’s shaped who I am today and I love being able to help others who are going through the same thing I did. It’s the most rewarding feeling.”
No man is an island, as they say, and Tony credits the love and support he received on his recovery journey as the lifeline that gave him hope to continue on. “It goes without saying, I had some incredible people around me. My mum supported me when not many others would and friends who I thought had given up on me, came back into my life the moment I was ready to make those bold changes. And of course music. Music is by far the greatest drug there is.”
As a touring DJ who continues to play all over the world, it’s an incredible feat to stay sober amongst the temptation. “I’ve done it all. Over the years, I’ve become reacquainted with clubs and touring sober, and I came to understand the importance of JOMO – the Joy Of Missing Out. I love being on the dancefloor, I love chatting sh*t to people in the smoking area, meeting fans. But the magical thing is that once I do my job, I can get in a car and go home to my dogs. It doesn’t get better than that,” he says.
Tony’s new book – written with support from therapist Tara Day – has been described as part memoir, and part practical guide to those wanting to heal from addiction. And as always, Tony has some words of courage for those wanting to make a change.
“I was homeless. I was penniless, I’d thought I’d turned away all my friends. My life was over. And in one ‘God-given’ moment I found a glimmer of home. I felt it was my responsibility to write Recover Me and share my experience and the tools I used to help turn my life around,” he says. “Anyone can do it – you just need to be ready. For those loved ones wanting to help? It’s hard to feel like you’re not doing enough but all you can do is show them love and support, and be there when they have their own moment. If they’re not ready, it’s hard to make them be – so just be patient.”
Looking forward to summer in Ibiza, he reflects, “I first came to Ibiza in 1983. Ku – now [UNVRS] – was the only superclub on the island and Amnesia was barely a shack – with a killer sound system. Times were simple but magical.
But even for the multi-award-winning DJ, it’s not always all about the music. “That magic we all talk about on the island is real. To think of it as a party island takes away from its raw beauty, incredible restaurants, and those amazing sunsets. There’s so much more to Ibiza and even after all these years I’m still discovering it.”
And as his life story turns to the next chapter, Tony seems more excited for the future than ever. “I have new music, so many incredible gigs and festivals, and I’m spending more time with my husband and dogs. Life is good and I feel grateful daily.”
