Two contestants from Brighton will take part in the UK’s first ever gay dating show.
I Kissed A Boy promises explosive drama, gripping cliffhangers and powerful untold stories - from coming out in a strict religious family to the pressures of body image in the gay dating scene.
The BBC Three show, presented by Australian singer Dannii Minogue, will see ten single guys matched up - meeting for the first time with a kiss, before being flown out to a romantic masseria in Italy in a search to find their perfect partner.
Kailum and Ollie, both from Brighton, are among those taking part in the show’s first series.
Ollie, 27, is a road worker and tarmacer and describes himself as a “gay man in a straight world”.
Despite this, he is loud and proud about his sexuality and grateful to have fantastic relationships with his family and workmates.
He said: “I’m very proud to be part of the show, being my honest self and showing the viewers that stereotypes are a thing of the past.
“You can definitely expect a fun cheeky chappy lad with a sensitive side.”
Ollie said he loves Brighton because it is an open minded place where people can express themselves freely and be who they want to be. Although he has been in a couple of relationships in the past, he admits he has never actually been in love.
He said he felt judged in the past on the gay dating scene and has grown tired of the detached ways some guys meet through dating apps - and is looking forward to meeting people in person.
Kailum, 25, moved to Brighton from Yorkshire when he was 11 - describing the city as the best place to be growing up gay.
He came out at the age of 14 by posting a video on YouTube using written messages on cards and describes himself as a “furry cuddly bear”.
“You can expect plenty of snogging, real connections, drama, sassiness but most importantly some real, hard hitting stories,” Kailum said.
He is a big fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and is even planning his own drag character.
Host Dannii Minogue described the show as an important milestone for the LGBTQ+ community.
She said: “It is the first chance for gay dating to be seen on UK television in the reality genre. It was far too long that calls for this type of show fell on deaf ears.
“I am so proud of BBC Three for making this happen. The door is now wide open and the possibilities are now there for inclusion,” she said.
She also said that it was an “honour” to host the new show and said: “When dating fatigue sets in and you are tired of swiping right, or you have not had the opportunity to meet enough potential dates - Mama Minogue is here to help.”
I Kissed A Boy starts on Sunday, May 14 at 9pm on BBC Three.
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