First Dates star Fred Sirieix has addressed the concern surrounding his hair.
The Channel 4 maître decided to settle the rumour once and for all as he prepeared to head into the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here jungle. Fred is among the 10 celebrities who have jetted Down Under to take on the gruelling challenges of the ITV show. He is expected to face bushtucker trials, meals of rice and beans and the occasional treat from Kiosk Kev if he's lucky.
Before heading into camp, the Million Pound Menu presenter took part in a question and answer session. Fans were able to get to know the campmates a little better before appearing on the show. The celebrities were given quickfire questions, including: “What’s the funniest thing you’ve read about yourself that wasn’t true?"
Fred replied that there was a rumour he wore a toupée or had undergone a hair transplant. He said: “I’ll tell you what it is. It’s that everybody thinks I’ve got a toupée or I went to Turkey to get new hair." Settling the debate, he quipped: “I just grew it!” The 51-year-old has already completed his first I'm A Celeb challenge.
He was taken by helicopter to the task where he had to climb along a pole from a height of hundreds of feet in the air. But the star has been branded a "fear-faker" by body language expert Judi James as she claims he is trying to win the public over. While jumping into the helicopter to carry out the task - Fred showed his fear of heights in front of the camera.
Sue Cleaver feels 'more empowered' as she labels her 50s her 'happiest decade'Judi said it was all an act judging by his sub-conscious mannerisms that he could not control. Speaking of the benefits of showing a fear, Judi explained: "Celebrities often gain votes by acting fearful during the first few days of the show. Fear responses get them more camera time and they make the viewers laugh."
She added that it can be a useful tool to "gain sympathy" from the public. In particular, she revealed in an interview with Paddy Power Games, that Fred was acting scared and his actions were inauthentic unlike with co-star Danielle Harold. She said: "The biggest fear-faker last night seemed to be Fred. His ‘I’m scared of everything’ looked incongruent thanks to his strong eye contact to camera and his relaxed, asymmetric grin.
"He said the line with a hand gesture of evaluation as though measuring and working out the best lines to help him be the star of the show." She added: "Real fear tends to prompt diminishing signals and an eye focus on the object of your fear, like Marvin clinging onto the helicopter like a scrunched-up limpet while gazing silently at the open door or Danielle keeping her eyes pinned on the tall building while she let out her screams."
Fred was able to complete the task alongside Danielle. Food critic Grace Dent and reality TV star Sam Thompson then took their turn - and again successfully completed the task.