TOWIE fever may not have gripped the UAE, but the stars of the UK reality TV show (also known by its full name, The Only Way is Essex) are fast gaining a presence in the region. This week we’ve had TOWIE’s Mark Wright frolicking with dolphins at the Atlantis Hotel on The Palm in Dubai, along with his mate James Kenzie (remember him – the fellow reality star and former MC of disbanded pop-rap outfit Blazin’ Squad? Well, he’s a fitness instructor these days).
Back in December, Mark’s TOWIE co-stars, sister Jessica Wright and Sam Faiers were in Dubai to make a personal appearance at the launch of Grosvenor House Hotel’s new Embassy supper club.
Mark, who infamously had a brief fling with Faiers during his ongoing on/off relationship with TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger, was in the Emirates to present Downsize in Dubai, his latest claim to fame airing on British TV this month with the aim of getting Brits back into shape in 2012.
The popular pin-up was the perfect frontman for the new fitness series after he gained two stone in under three weeks following his stint on another UK reality show, I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. In the show – which could easily be renamed They’ll do Anything to Get on TV – celebs are stranded in the Australian jungle and required to undertake gruesome tasks for food, from wading through snake-infested swamps to eating kangaroo's extremities.
After being deprived of decent tucker on the show, Mark became obsessed with junk food. “I’ve eaten so much... I just can’t stop eating cakes, chocolate and crisps,” he admitted on his return from the jungle. But ladies everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief as the hottie is now restored to his former glory after his visit to Dubai. He was spotted surrounded by a gaggle of female fans in Dubai’s Mahiki club, though sadly he missed his scheduled appearance in Cosmo Middle East’s glorious ‘Man Without His Shirt’ shoot. Gutted!
