EPISODE ELEVEN
“STAR HOUSE UK” (PART ONE)
“Welcome to the latest series of Star House UK!”
In front of a crowd of excited, screaming fans ready for the first live episode of the reality TV show juggernaut, Ruby Streeting, fresh from her successful stint presenting The Pulse Awards, stood in front of the now iconic Residence as she addressed the audience.
The hottest comic/presenter on the circuit right now, the producers had snapped her up to host after her predecessor Lizzy Flood quit.
Her tour having ended, and being a massive fan of the show, she knew how much this would benefit her career. Plus, she knew who was set to enter “the residence” – also known as “Residents”, and was just as excited as the crowd were.
“Now, you’ve all heard about the rumoured celebs cast this year and some of you thought that I was going in,” she winked to laughter.
“But as much as I love this show, I really wouldn’t last five minutes in there! Besides, I’d rather watch all the drama and chaos with you guys!” she squealed to the already fired up crowd.
“And believe me, the cast this year is sure to bring the drama!” she promised, as she glanced down at her card, her mic in hand. “And first to enter the Residence is… Freya Searle!” she announced excitedly, to surprised cheers and applause.
And their surprise – which was felt at home – was justified, as the global supermodel Freya Searle, one of Patrick and Alexandra’s many grandchildren, was the dream casting the producers had always wanted.
Her agent Cat Briers hadn’t wanted her to take part, worried that it would affect her career. But Freya jumped at the chance of being on one of her favourite programmes and showing the world, and her fans, that she was “more than just a pretty face” with an envious figure that spent her life on the catwalk and in front of photographers in the studio and on location.
Used to professionally strutting around a catwalk, Freya’s shyness suddenly took hold of her. This was foreign to her, people staring up at her, looking at her for her.
Not for the clothes she modelled during Fashion Week, or the ad campaigns she had fronted in the past.
And it scared her a bit, but she knew it was a chance to step out of the modelling bubble she’d been in for nearly ten years and show the public who she really was.
As she walked up the star-studded steps towards a smiling Ruby, dressed in a stunning black jumpsuit, a chic gold chain around her neck and her dark loose curls tumbling around her face and down her back, she was pleased and relieved to see two familiar faces in the crowd; her parents Andrew and Patsy, whooping and cheering her on, having texted the family chat, reminding the rest of the family to tune in.
(They – apart from Natasha, who had left the message on read – texted back, promising to tune in. Natasha had told Nikita that she’d “rather French kiss a guy with a cold sore…”)
Sensing her nerves, Ruby walked towards her and warmly grabbed her hand as she pulled her to the centre of the podium.
“Freya, welcome to The Star House UK!” she began, as Freya gave her a grateful smile as she swallowed nervously. “Hi, Ruby, it’s great to see you and it’s great to be here!” she replied, to cheers from the crowd, especially her parents.
“I must admit, I was so excited to hear you were one of the residents!” Ruby cooed. “How are you feeling about being shut out from the outside world for the next three weeks?”
“If I last that long,” Freya quipped, her nerves slowly disappearing. “But I’m such a fan of the show and can’t wait to get stuck in. And to see who I’ll be stuck with, too!” she laughed, as Ruby gave her the green light to walk up the star-studded steps and enter what was to be her new (temporary) home.
And she didn’t have to wait long, as the other celebs who entered the residence included the England and Arsenal footballer Samuel Hardy.
He was the cute boy-next-door and the dark-haired older brother of Jake, who had presented an award at The Pulse Awards and shared a staged kiss with Ruby herself.
She was quick to console Sam for not being able to join the others – including Jake and Freya’s boyfriend Zach in America for The World Cup due to injury, then cheekily added, “tell me you have another brother, Sam. ‘Cos after I got acquainted with Jake at The Pulse Awards, I’d quite like to have the full set!”
“No, but we do have a bisexual younger sister,” he replied with a wink to delighted laughter from Ruby and the crowd.
Then came the actress/model Gracie Goodwin, who couldn’t hide the scowl on her otherwise pretty face when she was met with boos and muted applause from the crowd.
Along with her stilted and uninterested pre-interview with Ruby, who later joked that “it was like pulling teeth,” the crowd’s distaste appeared to be justified.
The last big draw, amid soap stars, the obligatory American film star, the Lioness striker Brooke Mitchell, and a few daytime TV presenters, was one Ethan James, Trade Secret’s frontman.
Clambouring up to Ruby in a classic blue shirt and trousers and sporting a dazzling smile, his arrival was met with deafening cheers and screams from his legions of gay and teenage fans.
Still ensconced in the audience, Patsy looked at the image of Ethan on the big screen as he bantered with Ruby on the podium and jokingly asked if she was married to the Politician Wes Streeting.
(Yep. I’m his beard,” she deadpanned, then said in a stage whisper, “but don’t tell anyone...” He put his finger to his lips as he jokingly promised…)
“You know, he looks familiar,” she remarked to her husband, who was busy checking social media for mentions of their daughter.
“Oh, really?” he said, without looking up. “Let me know when Freya’s shown again,” he asked, as Patsy ruefully shook her head.
He didn’t have to wait long, because as soon as Ethan entered the residence, he instantly made a beeline for her. They first met when Freya guest-starred in the band’s first hit You’re Lookin’ Hot Tonight, so they were ecstatic to be reunited and given the chance to catch up.
Watching them across the room, Gracie bristled with jealousy as she downed her second glass of champagne the celebs were all given. She knew Freya well, as she was her big runway rival, and infuriatingly far more popular with the public.
To make matters worse, this was also the first time that Gracie had seen Ethan since they dated briefly before he dumped her for his current girlfriend, the dancer and choreographer Piper Wells.
The producers knew exactly what bombs they were dropping bringing them together.
Gracie had accused him in the press of cheating on her with Piper, which he strongly denied.
He told close friends and family that the reason for their split was because he couldn’t cope with her rude and dismissive behaviour, especially to their fans and when they went out to dinner.
His radio silence about her accusations spoke volumes with the press until he posted one Microchat about her accusations with the Maya Angelou quote: “when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time,” which was rechatted hundreds of times, especially by those who were Team Ethan.
So, to say their reunion on the show was awkward was an understatement…
But that fell by the wayside, as while the residents were busy drinking, fiddling with their nametags and getting to know everyone, (and Gracie was frosty to Ethan when he asked her if they could bury the hatchet. “Sure. How about in your back?” she replied), the ubiquitous The Manager saved him by uttering the infamous words: “The Manager will see Ethan and Freya now in The Spotlight Room…”
“Oh, hey, The Manager! I am fangirling so hard right now! I have to keep pinching myself!” she squealed, as they entered the room that also doubled as a confessional, and she and Ethan cosied up on the famous purple seat.
Putting his awkward encounter with Gracie to one side, Ethan playfully pinched her arm. “Ow!” she had squealed, playfully pinching him back. “You’re such a child!”
In reply, Ethan stuck his tongue out at her, then turned to the all-seeing (but never seen) The Manager. “Wow, this is wild!” He had exclaimed, his dark brown eyes ablaze with excitement.
“Good afternoon, Ethan and Freya,” said The Manager’s deep voice. “It certainly is wild. How are you feeling being in The Star House UK?”
“Excited – as you can tell!” Ethan said. “But a bit nervous too.” “Same here,” Freya agreed. “I’m so happy to be here. Especially with this cutie right here–”
She reached over and squeezed Ethan’s cheeks, prompting him to dramatically swoon. “What are you most looking forward to during your time here?” The Manager had asked.
“A good old-fashioned fight!” Ethan said with a wicked grin. Freya rolled her eyes. “Typical. After a bit of bloodshed.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Ethan laughed. “But every year’s got to have one, right?” Freya leaned in slightly. “Just as long as I’m not on the receiving end of any trouble.”
“And the Manager’s Missions?” The Manager prompted, referring to the challenges all the residents had to do in order to win “The Manager’s Money” for their shopping budget and special prizes.
“That’s what I’m most looking forward to,” Freya replied. “Getting out of my comfort zone. Though no creepy-crawlies, please,” she then shuddered. “I’m not built for that. The only black things I want with legs in the bathtub is me,” she laughed.
“And they say that supermodels have no sense of humour!” Ethan teased. Freya gasped, and hit him on the bicep, to which he mock-groaned at. “Ow! I’m delicate!” He pretended to cry in pain.
“Oh, do you want me to kiss it better?” She teased, to which he laughed.
There was a beat of silence. Then…
“Would you two like me to leave?” The Manager asked, a rare note of teasing in its voice. Freya and Ethan laughed, but their expressions were just sheepish enough to make Microchat explode that night.
As the show progressed, Freya and Ethan were often shown holding hands nervously during the “selection results,” consoling each other when others; especially those they liked were evicted, and whispering quietly in corners and cuddling on the sofas and in bed, which did nothing to diminish the gossip. Especially on social media.
@MARSHAMARSHAMARSHA: OK, what is going on with @FreyaSearle and @EthanTradeSecret? (Cover your eyes, @PiperWellsDance).
@CRISPSWHORE: Something is going to happen with Freya and Ethan; you mark my words. PS. @GracieGoodwinInternational is a bitch – and quote me on that.
@PIPERWELLSDANCE: Believe me, @MarshaMarshaMarsha (great name, btw), my eyes are wide open, as I trust him. So chill, people. Ethan and Freya are mates, not soulmates. It’s just banter. There’s no reality TV curse here, just good vibes. And I’m sure that Zach would say this too – if he wasn’t out of the country for #TheWorldCup. #EthanToWinSHUK
TO BE CONTINUED…
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