Ronan gets Undressed for reality TV programme

Ronan gets Undressed for reality TV programme

12 October 2016

ASPIRING actor Ronan Rice decided to face his fears when he came across an unusual television opportunity recently.

After spotting an advertisement seeking participants for the show Undressed, in which participants strip down to their underwear within seconds of meeting a hand-picked date, the Downpatrick man sent off an application form and waited nervously for a reply.

He admits he was as frightened as he was delighted to be accepted for the second series of the show, which will go on air on TLC on October 19.

Undressed’s producers say the intention of the programme is to strip away the layers of pretence that people put on in dating situations, while testing the theory that mutual vulnerability fosters closeness.

Twenty one year-old Ronan says that although he liked the concept he was particularly anxious about taking part because of body conscious issues he developed since being bullied as a teenager.

He says other children at school bullied him because he was gay, pushing him to overeat and gain weight.

Although he recently worked hard to shed this excess weight, he regained pounds last year after moving to Wales to study performing arts.

Missing home and, particularly, his mum, who he considers his best friend, he said he once again began to comfort eat, eventually ping out of his course last spring to return home.

Now home for good, Ronan is keen to develop an acting career, which he hopes may be kick-started through his role in Undressed.

“I suppose everybody has a sad story and mine is that I am gay and was badly bullied for it,” he said.

“Undressed is a bit of a social experiment. At first I was really annoyed to be matched with my date because I thought there is no way I was going to like him, but then I discovered we shared hobbies.

“I am really hoping there will be a lot of positivity about this.”