Prince Philip’s gay cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten is taking part in Channel 4’s brutal reality show Treasure Island with Bear Grylls
HE made history as the first member of the Royal Family’s extended brood to be openly in a same-sex relationship — and Lord Ivar Mountbatten is hoping to break a few other taboos too.
The father of three — who was given away by his ex-wife Lady Penny Mountbatten when he married partner James Coyle last year — says he is taking part in brutal Channel 4 reality show Treasure Island with Bear Grylls to destroy any negative perception of the blue-blooded family.
In an exclusive chat, he said: “People have perceptions of aristocrats, or whatever you want to call me.
“Certainly when I go to America they automatically assume that a lord is going to be about 80 years old, wear tweed suits and act like they’ve stepped out of Downton Abbey.
“Don’t get me wrong, my upbringing was almost like a real life Downton Abbey but I don’t think I am like that, I’m an openly gay lord. But let’s say they will be pleasantly surprised.”
The series returns on Sunday, but this time there’s a twist as for the first time there’s £100,000 in cash hidden across the Pacific Ocean island.
And Ivar, who is Prince Philip‘s first cousin once removed, said things got pretty nasty when people including himself started hiding money they had found.
He said: “It brought out the good and bad in everyone. It got very political. It certainly changed the way that we all went about our daily lives, that is undoubtedly true.
“I suppose in the previous shows all you were concerned about was your day to day living, finding food, keeping the fire lit, and making the camp sort of habitable.
“With the money on board that all went out the window, and I think this was quite evident when Bear came onto the island and basically said that our camp was like a student doss house. He said he’d never seen such a shitty camp in the history of the show.”
That, coming from a man who drinks his own wee, is really cutting.
Peaky blinder
HEARTTHROIB Cillian Murphy gave female fans a treat on Sunday when he stripped down to his briefs on Peaky Blinders.
But I reckon producers wouldn’t have been as pleased when they saw what he revealed – a good look at a pair of trendy Calvin Kleins.
And that’s a particular issue as the drama is set in 1929, whereas the designer fashion label was launched almost 40 years later.
Sack the costume team.
Stacey’s return
IT’S been a maternity since Stacey Solomon has been on Loose Women but the wait for her return is almost over.
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I can reveal that for the first time since giving birth to son Rex in June, she will be back this Friday as the ITV show marks its 20th anniversary.
She said: “I feel privileged to be a part of Loose Women and I can’t believe I’ve only been there for two years – I feel like I’ve been there the entire 20!
“I’m nervous about coming back to work but I know I’ll be looked after by my Loose Women family and I actually can’t wait for a good old gossip and a cuppa!”
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