KEITH LEMON: ‘This show is my coming-out party’
Comedy character Keith Lemon on why he’s not so much the odd choice to front a new TV show on crafting…
I’m watching Keith Lemon make a gremlin out of bubble wrap and truly, the man is a genius.
Together with TV presenter Anna Richardson, he’s launching a “spectacular new crafting series” on Channel 4, where we’ll see a whole new side to the cheeky star who’s best known for his wild antics on racy show Celebrity Juice.
The set at Elstree Studios is Willy Wonka-esque, with huge pink and blue pipes running along the walls (they pump out glitter or steam), a “human clock” in spandex, Jammie Dodger-shaped cushions – and you can’t miss the large sculpture of Keith’s head.
It turns out most of the things on display are Keith’s own creations, and by his own admission, his quiet nights in are mostly spent modelling objects out of bubble wrap and masking tape (such as the lifesize E.T. and
R2-D2, from Star Wars, that he has at home – or the Ewok in his kitchen).
Keith explains, “I make loads of stuff – mostly out of bubble wrap. I kind of sculpt with it, which might sound weird, but
I’m actually a super-geek – and I find it relaxing. This show’s going to be like my coming-out party…”
The Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft will see celebrity guests (the likes of Martin Kemp,
Katherine Ryan, Mel B, Eamonn Holmes and Nick Grimshaw) set challenges for the ‘crafters’ to make something for them, which they then get to take home. Keith chose Naked Attraction presenter Anna Richardson to be his co-host, in a bid to give crafting a “cool, edgy image”.
On whether he reckons fans will be surprised by this new side to him, Keith adds, “Some people think that I just throw dildoes around on [ Celebrity] Juice and swear a lot. I don’t do that any more – I’ve grown up. Though you should’ve seen Holly’s [Willoughby, Keith’s pal and a panellist on Juice] face when I told her I liked cardboard. I said, ‘I especially love it in its purest form before it’s got print on it.” She said, ‘What’s happened to you?’”
By Hannah Wright