The Fully Monty reloaded!
Male celebs stripping off to highlight prostate cancer is a TV moment Closer’s Hannah Wright is very happy to get behind
’m at London’s famous I Palladium for a rehearsal with Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden, TOWIE’S Elliott Wright, and former Royal Ballet dancer Wayne Sleep. After our chat, the men are heading off for a quick spray-tan, with Wayne wondering if he needs to have a “little trim.” What on earth is going on, you may ask?
STANDING PROUD
Twenty years ago this August, cult comedy-drama The Full Monty was released, and to mark this anniversary, ITV have assembled eight up-forit stars to recreate the famous strip scene with help from Britain’s Got Talent winner, Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, 28, who will choreograph the dance. Standing proud on stage next to Matthew, Elliott and Wayne are Mcfly’s Harry Judd, former Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, Red Dwarf’s Danny John Jules, plus TV presenters Dom Littlewood and Alexander Armstrong. And there’s an important message behind ITV’S 90-minute documentary.
Matthew, 37,, explains: “This isn’t just celebrities taking their clothes off; it’s about raising male cancer awareness. If we can stand fully naked in front of 2,500 people at The Palladium, then there’s no need to feel embarrassed about getting your bits out in front of a doctor.”
RAISING AWARENESS
Wayne, 68, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 but has been treated successfully, adds: “I’m an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK. Men simply don’t talk about their downstairs. When I discovered I had cancer, I had no symptoms – that’s why taking a blood test is so important. Eight men naked on prime-time television – what a great way to raise awareness.” All the celebrities involved have been affected by cancer. TOWIE star Elliott, 36, tells me: “Three years ago my father found out he had prostate cancer, but he dithered [about getting checked out] and sadly it’s spread. He’s upset, but very open about it. You’ll never find a man going into a pub and admitting, ‘I’ve got a lump.’ We want to get the message out – this is a big killer and we have to start talking about it more.”
Serious message aside, Mcfly’s Harry, 31, tells me a lot of fun has been had while the men rehearsed, saying: “It’s got to the point now where I’m starting to enjoy it.” Wayne adds: “The moment we throw our hats is the scary bit!” Wayne – who’s shifted 17lbs to get in shape for the performance – says: “It’s been an emotional roller coaster. One minute we’re crippled with nerves, the next we’re hysterical with laughter looking at each other’s willies. When I have my spraytan I’m thinking of asking them to paint muscles on, but my main concern is about whether my bush is too big!”
For info, visit www.prostatecanceruk.org