EXCLUSIVE: Dreamboys hunk Ryan Kendall is no stranger to taking off his clothes but Dating Naked UK brought new challenges for the star
*Warning: Contains minor spoilers for Dating Naked season 2*
A Dating Naked UK bombshell has opened up about joining the show and being filmed with no clothes on 24/7.
Rylan Clark’s controversial dating programme has returned to Paramount+ for a second season after its huge success last year, with episodes dropping weekly.
However, it continues to divide opinions as contestants are stripped completely bare on their quest to find love – and a £50,000 jackpot.
But it isn’t smooth sailing thanks to bombshell twists and brutal dumpings. Now, one bombshell arrival has opened up about his time on the show and the most challenging things that viewers at home don’t see.
Ryan Kendall made his Dating Naked UK debut on September 5, but he may be a familiar face to some fans as he is no stranger to taking off his clothes.
The Newcastle native is in fact a Dreamboy, known for striptease performances, and when he was approached to join the cast, he jumped at the chance.
Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC’s Screen Time Team, Ryan said it all started several years ago when he quit his corporate job for his true passion, dancing.
He soon landed himself on the Dreamboys tour, despite being told at school he “wouldn’t make it in life” due to his ADHD.
Now, Ryan is using his platform, and time on the show, to “make an impact on the world” and show others they can go far in life. He added: “There’s a massive stigma around schools and having hidden disabilities as well.”
Being proud of how far he’s come, and living his life’s dream, Ryan added he’s gone from a “council estate kid to touring the world.”
Speaking about being on stage and taking his clothes off, he said: Of course it’s a bit daunting at first getting it all out, but it becomes this amazing thing.”
Despite being no stranger to taking off his clothes, Dating Naked UK came as a brand new experience for the star as he said they are “naked mostly all the time” with cameras filming their every move.
Speaking about the most challenging thing about the reality show, Ryan said for him, it was building strong connections.
He added: “I think because you’ve got so many options in the house that you don’t actually know who to go for because I’m quite a sociable guy, I get on with everyone, but I can never tell who’s there for just friendship and who’s there for a relationship.
“That’s the hardest thing for me, whether it’s friendship or I can take it further.
“I think everyone’s there for genuine reasons but it’s who’s playing for the cameras. I don’t think anyone did to be fair they were a genuine cast but there’s always that fear of who’s playing a game or who’s trying to build friendships rather than connections.”
But will Ryan find love on the show? Fans will have to tune in to find out next week. Viewers will remember the star ziplining in and gatecrashing Dom and Matt’s date, before being introduced to the rest of the house.
On the show, Ryan confirmed that contestants are in fact naked “mostly all of the time” apart from daily welfare checks with the behind the scenes crew, but also they are filmed 24/7 with “many cameras” dotted around the house.
He went on to say: “You tend to forget about them at most points if I’m honest because obviously you get so used to them being there but there’s many cameras dotted around the house that’s spinning all the time, so you do notice them. They’re so clear as well on TV.”
The Dreamboys star said he has received much support from his family, especially when it came to his huge career move and Dating Naked debut. He said: “My parents have always been supportive even when I switched from the software company to Dreamboys.
“I told them I had a gig to try and soften the blow a bit, told them I was going on Dating Naked and they were so supportive again…. I think if my mum would’ve said it’s a bit too far I probably wouldn’t have went on it.”
As well as using his platform and his voice to raise awareness of ADHD, Ryan also wants to remove the stigma around male strippers and who they are as people. He added: “Watching the episodes back I really portrayed myself in a good light and how I am genuinely.
“Hopefully that changes the stigma on strippers and how they are generally. I don’t think it’s what it was back in the day, strippers years ago might have different personality to how they are now and I’ve portrayed myself as a genuine guy.”
Dating Naked UK seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Paramount+
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