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INTERVIEW: Gethin Jones likes his horror Rocky

Published date: 17 August 2010 |
Published by: David Waddington


 

 

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HE has flown with the Red Arrows, been attacked by an alligator in Louisiana, and danced his way to the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing.
Now Gethin Jones, presenter, is preparing to become Gethin Jones, actor, when he appears in The Rocky Horror Picture Show next month at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.
The Pioneer caught up with Gethin to find out why he decided to 'tread the boards', why it's best to keep quiet at dinner parties, and why Zinedine Zidane's toenails hold a special place in his heart.


"People on Twitter have been asking if I'll be wearing stockings and suspenders. I'm pretty sure I'm not, but I haven't explored the fine print on the contract though so it's TBC," replied Gethin when asked if there have been any shocks regarding costumes for his upcoming appearance as The Narrator.

Set to star in Richard O'Briens beloved saucy and sexy rock and roll musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, his step into musical theatre in a show so risque may surprise viewers of Gethin's presenting work.

But the former Blue Peter star confirmed he is always wanting to try new things.

"Ever since Strictly [Come Dancing] I've talked about doing musical theatre," said Gethin. "One of the reasons I did panto was to see if I could do it, and see if I enjoyed it. I loved the live performance.
"I've never been able to commit to six months or 12 months with presenting - that's my main love. Then this came up - a week in Llandudno. I lived in Caernarfon for three years so it's like coming back home. My friends will be coming along - I'm sure they'll be shouting things at me."

Unexpected

Promising a performance "a bit close to the bone", the role of The Narrator is central to the show as he leads the audience through the tale of two clean cut kids who break down in their car and seek help from the maniacal and scandalous Dr Frank'n'Furter.

"The performances I have seen, Michael Aspel has been The Narrator and its brilliant. He is so clever - there's a huge skill to it. I'll be getting into the script, making sure I'm fully prepared.
"Not many people would expect me to Rocky Horror Picture Show but it interests me. I wanted to see if I can do it. I just want to do a great job. I will do my best and see what happens."

Younger audience members may know Gethin best for his work on Blue Peter, where he was put through his paces on an eclectic range of challenges. Not that he talks too much about them during parties.

"I do try to not talk in dinner parties," joked the Welshman. "For a period of about six months people just hated me. I'd be going on about this and that, and sounding like a bit of a div.
"What Blue Peter did to me as a person was ridiculous. it pushed me to the limits and I didn't know what my limits were."

Gethin's extensive presenting work has already seen him travel to the four corners of the globe, but he can be seen closer to home on Police, Camera Action which has just started a new season on ITV.

Close to the action

Getting close to the action, the documentary style show was a shock to the system for Gethin, who really felt the effects when he joined officers who had to explain to the family of a 12 year old girl that she had been killed on the road.

"I didn't think I'd be doing anything so emotionally draining," he admitted. "We would do that and I'd be done for the day.
"I'm so pleased with the show and what it gets across, and the responses we have had to it. I was on Twitter during the screening of the show to make sure people knew it is all very real."

Gethin was also seen recently joining a team of all-stars to support UNICEF when he played for the Rest Of The World team for SoccerAid.

"Soccer Aid - that was ridiculous," he enthused. "Zinedine Zidane is sitting next to me cutting his toe nails 10 minutes before kick-off. I thought 'Should I pick them up and sell them on eBay?' But I thought 'Nah... I'll just keep them for myself'.
"Luis Figo is there calling out 'Jonesey!'. Robbie Williams trying to psych me out by shaking my hand before taking the penalty. It was insane but for such a good cause."

With more projects in the pipeline including a celebrity challenge show titled 71 Degrees North and his popular radio show, it's all go for Gethin.

But first he has his week long stay in Llandudno to prepare for.

"My background is not in theatre. My background is not in presenting, but you learn from experience. Stepping out for the first time as Prince Charming in panto I was absolutely bricking myself. It was totally different but I loved it.
"I never want to go into something thinking 'I'm doing this for the money'. It's got to be the right thing for me. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the real thing. People have paid a lot of money.
"I'm working on some jokes to throw out if I get heckled a bit so I should be ok. I just can't wait to get started." 

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be showing at Venue Cymru in Llandudno between September 20-25. For more information or to book tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit the website at www.venuecymru.co.uk

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