TV star reveals he was at risk of being KIDNAPPED as he filmed new show Dating Naked in South America
RYLAN CLARK has told how he was at risk of being captured by pirates while in South America shooting his latest TV series – but quite liked the idea.
The telly presenter has been in Colombia filming for his kinky new show, Dating Naked UK, which will be broadcast on Paramount+.
He reveals: “I was out there for a month, and they are quite liberal, but the one thing I had to worry about was being a person of note from Europe — so a genuine concern was pirates.
“That sounds really crazy, but actual pirates were the biggest concern because we were on an island filming the show.
“Moving around at night when we were filming could have ended up with pirate boats coming to get me.
“Apparently they never hurt you, they just want a bit of dollar.
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“They’d get rid of me after 15 minutes.”
Single Rylan cheekily added: “I’d have a lovely life at sea — as long as I got a Jolly Roger at the end of it.”
Like Channel 4’s long-running hit Naked Attraction, Rylan’s new ten-episode series sees brave singletons seek a romantic connection in their birthday suits.
But, on Dating Naked UK, the action takes place in a tropical paradise.
Speaking previously about the bonkers project, Rylan said: “It is no secret that I love a reality TV show, but this one is going to blow your minds.
“Not only does it feature dating and drama — on top of that everyone will be totally starkers.
“You will not want to miss this — I can’t wait for you all to see.”
Remarkably, the format has already proved a huge success in the States and Germany.
Posting some snaps from filming in March, Rylan wrote: “The best times, The best people, The best memories.”
Shiver me timbers, it all sounds like quite a watch, Rylan.
LEIGH’S REALLY MIXING IT UP
A WOVEN bikini, striped knit gloves, lace skirt and those boots would look mismatched at best, absurd at worst, on most people.
But Little Mix turned solo star Leigh-Anne manages to rock it as she poses for the cover of Dork magazine.
The star is promoting her latest single, Forbidden Fruit, which is a reggae- infused tribute to her footballer fiance Andre Gray.
Speaking about her fella, who she has twin toddlers with, she said: “It’s about how Andre and I met.
"This one gives me sweaty, sultry, reggae dance vibes.
“The way the beat drops makes me so excited to bring this one to the stage.”
SHE’S just landed her own dating show on Netflix, but I hear Amanda Holden is wanted for a travelogue series with her buddy Alan Carr by the BBC.
It comes after the huge success of the pair’s Beeb DIY series Amanda And Alan’s Italian Job, which is filming another season.
A telly insider tells me: “The BBC love their chemistry.
"A travel show would be great as they are at their best when they are on the road.”
STEVE’S LUXURY HOT-EL
TO be a contestant on the glossy new ITV1 game show The Fortune Hotel, filmed at a five-star hotel on the Caribbean island of Grenada, sounds perfect.
The new series, hosted by Stephen Mangan, starts tomorrow at 9pm and sees ten pairs battle it out through challenges and swapping suitcases in a bid to win £250,000.
But it was too hot for best pals Jae and Cherish.
Jae said: “You would think as black women we would be able to take it, but I wanted some air-con.
“Also, we weren’t allowed to talk to our fellow contestants much.”
No boozy bonding at the hotel bar then . . .
ARE 1D IN RUSH TO RETURN?
US boyband Big Time Rush tour the UK for the first time in nearly ten years this summer – and want One Direction to join the party.
Band member Logan Henderson said: “We’d 100 per cent like to see 1D back – let’s play a show together, let’s do a tour.”
When 1D were first cracking the States, they supported Big Time Rush – also including Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow and Carlos Penavega.
And ahead of Big Time Rush’s UK tour – with tickets for Birmingham and Manchester still available – Kendall said of 1D: “When we were together . . . we all relate to the similar experience, that group dynamic, getting launched at a high rate.”
Logan added: “I remember parties with them, which were fun.”
Asked who were the last ones standing at bashes, Kendall, now a dad, said with a laugh: “We were – they were younger, we had experience.
Although maybe ZAYN MALIK . . . ”
Americans outdrinking Brits? Rematch, please.
LEOMIE: MAYA’S MY MAIN GUY
STORMZY might be confused when he hears his girlfriend Maya Jama being described as a “lad in a beautiful body”.
But that’s how the star’s good friend, Leomie Anderson, described the Love Island host during a catch up with me.
In the exclusive chat, model and presenter Leomie, who has taken over from Maya, hosting BBC Three’s hit make-up artist competition Glow Up, said: “Maya’s my girl, she has a great sense of humour, she is a lad in a beautiful body.
“I would love to do more work with her.
"We have a lot of banter, we don’t take things too seriously and we’re not afraid to embarrass ourselves and have fun.”
Leomie, who is currently in Costa Rica filming Bear Hunt – Netflix’s new celebrity challenge show – also opened up on modelling across the pond, after becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2019.
She told me: “There are a million-and-one situations where, as a model, you aren’t put in a comfortable situation.
"People forget you are a human being and you get treated like a mannequin.
“But no one could ever get me to speak badly about working with Victoria’s Secret.
“In this industry there have been a lot of times where I have been asked to act, dress or walk a certain way in order to be accepted and I have had to play along with that . . . so I was really grateful to
Victoria’s Secret for allowing me to be myself.
“One of my favourite shows was walking down the runway while The Weekend was performing.”
And, like many Brits when in the US, Leomie has said she is often asked about the Royal Family.
The South Londoner said: “Recently, when I have been working, over there they always ask me, ‘How do you feel about the Queen dying?’
“I have to explain I didn’t know her personally.”
It seems Leomie’s becoming a queen in her own right anyway.
BEAR ORDERS KOLA
TED LASSO fans will know him for playing a star footballer on the Apple TV series – but Kola Bokinni is heading to Netflix to star in upcoming reality challenge, Bear Hunt.
The actor is in Costa Rica filming the show, hosted by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby.
Others taking part include Shirley Ballas, Mel B and Lottie Moss.
Kola, who has also starred on Netflix in sci-fi series Black Mirror and crime drama Top Boy, opened up last year about his career.
He said: “I’ve acted for eight years, and every year come close to quitting.
"You get minor successes then major falls, major successes and minor falls.
“Human nature is, you start thinking the worst then wanna run.
"But the best thing you can do is face the problem and realise it isn’t as serious.”
Kola sure has his head screwed on.
PHOEBE and Daisy Tomlinson have filmed a pilot for their own reality show.
The twin sisters of former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson shot scenes with Towie creators earlier this year, and the format is now being pitched to channels including ITV.
The influencers have two million followers on Instagram.
A source said: “The cameras follow the glamorous duo around as they go about their lives.
"Of course, there is hope that once it is commissioned Louis will make an appearance.
“It’s great for the young audience that channels are trying to tap into.
"Phoebe is a new mum and Daisy dates a rising footballer so there is a lot to document.”
GEEZER DANNY IS ODDS ON
AST week I told how High Street bookies Paddy Power had cast ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson in their upcoming Euros advert.
Now I can reveal that there has been a plot twist as the politician was hastily replaced on the shoot by ex-EastEnder Danny Dyer.
The talent transfer came after Boris’s casting was seen as too controversial, with geezer actor Danny – who played pub landlord Mick Carter on the soap – being a safer bet.
An insider tells me: “There was a last-minute script change last week and Danny was drafted in to replace Boris on the big-money campaign.
“It was a blinder for him as he scored a massive payday. He played a pub barman chatting to punters, which came naturally to him as that was basically his role on EastEnders.”
Danny starred with Peter Crouch, who is a long-running brand ambassador for the bookies.
Bad luck, Bojo .
N-ICE LITTLE EARNER, DUA
BEACHGOERS got hot and bothered yesterday when they found Dua Lipa on a video shoot.
The singer, whose third album Radical Optimism went to No1 on Friday, pitched up at a popular ice-cream parlour in Broadstairs, Kent, to film an EE ad.
One holidaymaker told me: “The first sunny Saturday of the year and everyone was really disappointed not to be able to use the ice-cream parlour.
"Plus anyone taking pics was threatened to be removed.”
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Dua shoulda picked another day.