TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, 28, talks to Closer about fame, slobbing around in his tracksuit (yes, really!) - and the importance of moisturiser...
What’s your new show Babushka all about then?
I think it’s safe to say Babushka is Britain’s most brutal game show. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. There are 10 giant Babushka dolls – containing between £500 and £10,000. The contestants have to find the money and hold onto it, it’s as simple as that, but as ever – there are a few twists…
Do you know which dolls contain the big money? [Two hold £500, two have £1,000 tucked away and another two have £2,000 inside. But two more hide £5,000 and a huge £10,000...]
No I don’t and that’s why I sh*t myself. Basically, find the money and hold onto it. But get a question wrong, or open an empty doll, and you lose everything you’ve banked. It’s a little bit like Deal Or No Deal but with us it’s brutal – it’s like The Hunger Games.
Do you watch a lot of game shows yourself?
I loved Strike It Lucky. For me, it was the ultimate game show.
Babushka is about trying to win money. What would you do with a lorra dosh?
Probably f_ck all. I don't really spend a lot of money because I'm always bl_ody working. I'd buy ITV so I could re-make Strike It Lucky!
You’re a big star these days, you don’t even have a surname. Are you still pinching yourself about being a celeb?
I am bruised from pinching myself, but I am a ginger child so I bruise quite easily. I genuinely wake up each morning thinking: "How the f*ck did this happen?!" But it did and it’s working, so I’m very grateful.
What do you enjoy doing in your down time?
When I go home from work I switch off. I take my make-up off, put on a tracksuit and open a beer - I’m a bit of a lad. Don’t tell anyone, it will ruin my image – "Omg Rylan’s a boy. He has a penis!"
How long does it take you to get ready for a night out?
About 10 minutes. I’m not as ugly as I thought! I’m in and out of the shower, then I blow dry my hair, put a bit of hairspray through it, pop my foundation on and I’m out.
And what about your beauty routine? Can you talk us through it...
I always moisturise and I always take my make-up off. I never did when I was in my teenage years and that’s why I’ve got sh*t skin. You know that cheap Nivea cream? I literally smother my face in that until I look like Casper The Ghost on crack and let it sink into my skin to the point where I am wet. Sometimes I answer the door to the postman and I forget I’ve got it on.
You’ve been married [to ex-police officer Dan Neal] for almost 18 months now. How’s married life treating you?
We’re really happy; everything is great with us and we’re just lucky to have what we’ve got. Dan’s already seen one episode of Babushka. He’s my biggest critic, and he’s always the first to say: "That was sh_t," but he actually said: "Oh I hate to say it but it’s really f_cking good." So yeah, I’m happy with that.
RYLAN CLARK-NEAL'S ROAD TO CELEBRITY
• Rylan almost appeared on Big Brother in 2007, but his name got leaked to the press and it didn’t happen (“devastating”, he says.) Never mind, because he won the celeb version in January 2013.
• He lost out to Union J on the 2012 X Factor (he had a few spats with Gary Barlow, who said he “hated Rylan’s voice”)
• In 2011, he was a finalist on Signed By Katie Price – a Sky modelling contest. Amy Willerton came first.
Babushka is on ITV at 5pm Monday - Friday. You can catch up on past episodes here.
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