Mark Wright was "really nervous" to host his own game show.
Mark Wright on fronting his own game show
The 36-year-old reality star is best known for his time on 'The Only Way is Essex' but is now fronting the UK version of ' The Challenge' - which was filmed in Argentina last year and will feature the likes of 'Strictly Come Dancing' star AJ Pritchard and 'Made In Chelsea' cast member Tristan Phipps as they take part in stunt-heavy, action-packed adventures - almost 25 years after the competition first aired in the US and admitted that taking on the hosting job was proof that all his "hard work" since leaving the reality show has "paid off."
He said: "It was a big deal for me being the host of a show starring 16 reality stars or celebs. It’s proof that all the hard work, from hosting children’s shows to moving to America and putting in the ground work, is paying off. I was really nervous to walk out and see what their response was, especially when they have all come from the same place I did — reality TV."
Mark - who has been married to former 'Coronation Street' actress Michelle Keegan since 2015 - went on to claim that the premise of the show became "completely different at night" when contestants tried to hook up with one another, as he joked that he felt like he was the host of ITV2 reality dating series 'Love Island.'
He told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz Column: "I had to channel my inner match-maker at times because it became a little 'Love Island'. When they weren’t winning challenges, there were a few of the contestants that were trying to win each other over. After dark, I genuinely thought I was hosting a different show.
"Some of the contestants forgot the cameras were still running, so a few of them will be left a little red in the face — I ended up being an agony aunt. If you put a bunch of really hot people together, especially if they’re single, it’s going to happen."
'The Challenge' airs on Channel 5 from February 20 but is available to stream now on Paramount+.
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