Welcome to a new episode of Saving Grace with me, GK Barry. If you haven't already, hit follow. Why not? Tap that button right now for new episodes every Wednesday. And if you want more Saving Grace, catch us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram at SavingGracePod. Let's get into it.
Guys, I just want to remind you that tickets for the saving grace at Jungle Fever Tour are out now. We are going all over. I'm talking Cardiff, Birmingham, York, Bristol, South End, and Oxford. Anywhere that you can see on the map, you go, I'll be there. There'll be guests, there'll be performances, and there shall be alcohol. Link in bio. Welcome back to another episode of Saving Grace. Today, we've got Melvin O'Dame.
Hi, I'd never call you Grace, by the way. What'd you call me? Gee, half the time. Thank you. I like a little neck now. I'll call you my liege. My liege is, that's all. That never made it to TV, either. No, so now it looks a bit weird when we go up to each other like my liege. Yeah, and we're just speechless strange. What are you doing? Yes, it's all fine. I can do hugs in the jungle, so instead we'd do a handshake. I think it made it, you know, unique to us. Yeah, and we needed that. You've just come straight from Radio 1. Yeah, just done the show of Charlie. Really? Ricky's off today.
Oh, how dare? Yeah, yeah. How dare he? And these are breaks from time to time. So you've done a lot of talking this morning. I don't mind talking to you though. Thank God. That's fine. Yeah, could you imagine if you were like, yeah, I'm actually sick of it. It's like, can we just have a little break from talking? I'll let you do the talking I'll just listen. Have you recovered from her jungle? Uh...
Yeah, I'm happy to be home. I don't know about you. Yeah. Like, I found it quite tough. It was an amazing experience. You saw half of my tough days, but I was glad to have you by my side. Yeah. It was like everyone was really comforting you and I was like, I'm just going to do a stand-up set for my own victory. You know what? I have to say, do you know when I realised you were funny? Hello, Noodle.
Can I just say, I'm usually scared of dogs. Are you? Yeah, it's like big dogs I'm scared of, but I like your dog. Thank you. It's a little handbag. I feel like your dog is like the dog version of me. It's just a cute, cute little, truckly person. That's what I'm saying. Can I say that a little bit? Yeah, I was like, I want a mouth. Yeah, it's a bit in my bag. Can I have a little mouth, please? Yeah, they're like perfect. Yeah, that's fine. But noodles are good, dog. But yeah, for me, I realized you were funny because I'm not really a morning person and you always made me laugh in the morning.
Really? Yeah. That's how I thought. You're in the hammock in front and you just say something random. I'd always turn round and just look up at Melvin in the mornings. And it was really weird when I came home because I'd be turning over at being my girlfriend and not you. And I was like, I feel like I've had an affair. I feel weird. And every morning you bluck morning, Jika. Good morning, Melvin. Good morning.
But I feel like you had a similar energy to me. Because you had a lot of people like Dino who would be singing and stuff. And I feel like Danny was a bit of a singer as well. Yes, well that does come with the job. And Alan was, you know, no, Jane was making fires and Alan was making fires. I would take ages to get. It would take ages to just put my children. Me and Melvin genuinely did fuck all that whole time. And you with the trials, I don't know how you got away with that. I ducked them for so long. It was like three weeks in and you were like,
And in the end, I didn't get voted. I had to nominate myself to do a trial. Have you watched any of it back? So I'm on episode 10. Are you? So at the moment, like, Mora and the Reverend are in camp with us. Have you seen the fright bus yet? Fright bus was terrified. The funniest? I watched the clip back, so I thought we must. So have you watched the shows back? No, I've watched certain episodes where I got more airtime.
And then I watched my trials and then I watched the fright bus and it's so funny because they just use one audio clip of you eight times and it's massive.
I think you use it eight hours. But you guys were, because I don't really see your faces. Yeah. But the screams were immense. Thank you. Yeah. I enjoyed it. I think that's my favorite episode. Really? Right. Yeah. Because everyone, you just got to see everyone's real fear apart from Alan Laughing. Lisa. Lisa in there was like,
I don't know, she was just like some sort of warrior. We called her Lara Croft. She was literally Lara Croft. She got on that fright bus, lost her shit. I've never seen anything like him. Well, that was the real tea. Yeah, too, right? Yeah, that was the real tea. She's a fan of the show, because she did all the research beforehand. Thank you. She bought elastic bands for her trousers, so... Hair bands, but over it. She just knew what she was doing. But that day, we saw the real tea. She was really scared of it. She was a worse. And God bless, because it's the same. But we love tea.
But have you conquered your fear of cockroaches? I think we all have. Yeah, I don't give a fuck about cockroaches. I saw you on the first, because I didn't see you when we did the Jeep thing into the canoe. Oh, yes. And then you, I never saw what everyone was talking about. Hello, Noodle. Hello, Noodle. Please. Go on, yeah. Tell them Noots. Tell them Noodle. Noodle wants to be on the podcast today. What do you want to say?
I completely agree. I love that your dog doesn't say anything. No, no, he's a mute, bless him. Okay. He's had a hard life. What? He doesn't like me. He does. All right, stop it. Relax now. We'll be paid for that, Noodle. Yeah, yeah, and that's actually a lot of money. When should we talk about your depressive episode in there?
Well, yeah, we can't talk about it. I love that. She just jumps straight into it. Until we digress. Because when you were sad, I was like, this poor man, because he doesn't even know I've had about eight days of that. It was a tough night. Like, it was raining really badly. Yeah. I ate really bad meat, like a bone of something. Yes, yeah. And food is my thing. And the rain was a lot. I don't think anyone appreciates it as well. I don't want to appreciate it, sir. No. OK, we flew to Australia.
to just be covered in rain. We could have done it in Hackney. We could have done it in Skegnash. Yeah, it just didn't need to be that much rain. All five sleeping in a trench coat. Yeah, it was in my coat. Do you know what? I've got to rate you though, Gee, because you're the person who slept in their hammock from the biggie. And I don't think no one actually realizes why you like the hammock over the bed.
I loved it. It was like a spoon every night. It was horrible. I don't know. You slept in it one night and you went fuck this. The next day you were in the middle of your show. I was like, oh, Melby. Apparently you preferred the hammock because of the creepy crawlies. Yeah, but also when I was in there, it was like a hug. The waterfall was right there. And no bastard. I could barely get him. Let alone a rat.
I couldn't get my head around it. No, no one can. And you're quite tall as well. I mean, I have not recovered legs-wise. It felt like I had like, there was a lot of pain going on in all areas. But you stuck it out. Even when beds were available, you still kept feeling... I slept in the bed, you know, when it started getting, I was the only one on the bottom floor and I thought, this is actually a bit boring, so I went and slept on one of the beds and I thought, this is no fun. Really? Yeah. Okay, I respect you for it. Thank you, I know how you do this. Did you speak to anyone before going in?
Everyone has to speak to a site before going. Yeah, but as in like, did you speak to anyone who'd done the jungle before? Yeah, so Marvin Humes was about to lose. I called him like maybe three times before we went in, then Fred from first date. Joel messaged me beforehand and just said, be yourself and enjoy every moment. They were probably like the main people. Oh, and Vernon Kate told me to smuggle in protein bugs, but apparently he took in eight. What? Yeah, I shouldn't say it that way.
Well, do you know what he's done it now? He's done it, no, he's done it. You did snuggle though. Yeah, I did, but I don't feel like I succeeded in the smuggling. No, you gave it to the wrong person. You gave it to someone with two good of a heart. You should have given it to me.
The only reason I gave it to T is because she was cooking at that point and I thought she's going to stay as our chef. And then she stopped being our chef and she's too honest. She was too honest and that's a downfall. Yeah. So you would have done it if I gave it to you. If you would have given me pepper, I'd have given it all to it. You would have just had it to be yourself.
But I feel like you can't enjoy it if you didn't share it. Well, sweet yourself. I don't know. You know, some things are best. Did you not consider smuggling?
Yeah. Well, okay. When I was thinking of smuggling a phone when we were in holding. Yes. But in there, I just thought, I am too much of a pussy when it comes to those security guards, because they were no joke. And they were hench. The security guards, even though one of them was like four foot, he was still like built. Yeah. Like a brick she had. You know Marvin did that. What? He brought in a burner phone.
Marvin Hume. Was that him who did it? Yeah, and they found it on the first day. They went to his hotel room and he had to open his bag, so he was like to me, put it in your pants. That's what I was going for. And I was like, I don't have a wife and kids like you, so I can live without it. It's all right. I also feel very glad we didn't have to skydive.
I wanted to do it. Yeah, everyone wanted to do it apart from you. I was like, what did you know? All I had to do that first episode was press a button. Yeah, all I had to do was watch you press the button. No, because you had to do the cockroaches, the canoe, the swimming. Oh, my God, you're so right. Yeah, you're so right. And I'm fuming that you didn't get the cockroach thing, because that would have been you with me. Yeah, because you, no one realized that I was as scared as you with the cockroaches. Yeah, fuming. And everyone was laughing at me and I thought, watch me. But rightly so. Thank you. Did we not see what happens? Did you see what happens to Colleen?
When we... When it went in her ear. Yeah. That's not funny. Did they even show that? They made the TV. It is. Yeah, syringe out. And first of all, thank God that didn't happen to us. Because I would have left. I would have been out. I'd have been like... Imagine crying Mel with a cockroach in his ear.
I'll wear it on a t-shirt. And it happened to, I always said, with what's her name? Fatima. And I've got wider nostrils than her. Yeah. Think about the... I didn't mean yeah like that. I did not agree with that. I know, I embraced the nostril size. But if she's got quite nice nostrils. Yeah, she's got quite slim. But these babies. Yeah. Well, you'd have had two.
I would have had a whole family living in there. It would be like a condo for them. No, it's a big. It would be paying rent in my nose. Overall though, experience, how did you feel about that? I'm so glad we did it. I'm so glad we did it because I met you guys and got to hang out with you a lot. And I feel like it was definitely and once in a lifetime opportunity. Thank God. And it was the love coming out from everyone for me.
And honestly, because when we were all in there, we'd all have conversations like, what are these people saying? And like, what conversations are they showing? No, you were amazing, G. But I think you were amazing in there. I felt really quiet. Did you? Yeah, man. I felt so quiet because I think I've got to the point where I was like, I just want to survive. Yes. I was all about my chores and like cooking with Danny. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hellish job, by the way. What was the worst job for you?
Mine was washing up. Justice for Jane. 100% washing up because no one gets how cold it is. You've got a lug because there's still 12 of us in there, 12 pots, pans, spoons, cutlery, and the water's cold that you're washing it in. I think the worst thing for you guys was the time because it's after everyone's eaten and it's like the end of the day and you just want to go to bed. Every bitch is in bed. And I'm washing pots with spit on it.
No, I felt for you guys. Thank you. I felt for you too. Yeah. Makes any difference. Who was your favourite in there, minus me?
Um, O.T. O.T. was my sister in there. I really loved Alan, which took me by surprise. Was Alan your favourite? One of them. I think Alan was useful for us. He was such a man. He produced everything. Like, I was like, Alan, I'm not gonna lie, when I first heard someone from Corey was going in, I just thought he'd be a bit like moist. He was the man who you played. He did everything. We wouldn't have survived with Alan.
And Alan Talisa, we would have all been dead. And that's the bottom line, Jeremy. And I messaged him the other day when I started watching it. I said, how come none of your inventions made it to TV? All his jokes. All his jokes. All his little puns.
He was full of energy and content. And can I say something hilarious? You are probably one of the only people I've ever seen who was ecstatic to leave the jungle. You skipped cross that bridge. And I heard you weirdly. I was brushing my teeth the next day. And I think you were on the after show. And I heard you being like, whoa. And I was like, is that Melvin? Was I happy when you guys were like watching from the bathroom? Absolutely. Really? Yeah, you were like,
I was so happy to leave. I know. And you guys were like, oh, but I was like, no, this is great. You stopped the hug. She was like, this is incredible. And then when I got out and saw like all of our friends and family, like living their best life in the Marriott Hotel, I was like, I've left the, I actually left perfect time. Perfect time. Oh, good. Yeah, I got two days, like of freedom. You only had two. Oh, I was there for like four days. Luxury went to barbecues. When I saw you and you had like fresh trim, fresh bed, I went Melbourne.
Melbourne's back. Because you never really saw me. No. I had seen you at events prior to that. Yes, yeah. But you never really seen and smelt the rural Melbourne I do. And I said this when I let Melbourne in, I went, Jesus, you're really nice. This is really weird. I'm a scent man. You are a scent man. It's giving light, you smell rich. Well, I don't have the same account. Well, I know it doesn't just, you know, reflect the smell. The smell is rich. Give that. Yes.
I also want to go all the way back to, because I found it so interesting how you got into this industry. Oh. In general. What, like Union then? Yeah. So you went to uni. Yeah. Give it to me. So went to uni for three years. That's where I met Rickster. Mm hmm.
And then we just had a similar goal in terms of wanting to do like radio and TV. And but no one cared about us because we had no profiling. And there was no such thing in social media. So we couldn't really have an audience based around that. So Rick's was working in doing work experience for like literally everyone like Kiss, radio, one capital, everyone choice at the time.
And then I was working with young people. And during that time, I got a job on Kids TV working on a show called Dick and Dumb in the bungalow, where I would just dress up in animals. And you had to come and dance. And dance around. That kills me. Would you have watched that one? Yes, I used to love Dick and Dumb in the bungalow. So when I meet your generation, who watched the show, and they're like, did you do that show? And I'll be like, yeah, I was the black guy. And they'll be like, oh, that dude.
Because I was like the one lone guy wearing a selection of wig. Yeah. Because I had cane roll and I didn't want to get it covered in custard. Which I hate. Like mushy peeps. Yeah, 100%. So I was doing that and then Ricky was like, Melvin, I'm at one extra. Do you want to work at one extra? And so I worked my arse for like two, three weeks behind the scenes and then they gave me like a job as a freelancer.
And I worked on all the shows. And then we signed to an agency because we entered this competition. And they introduced us to a boss at Kiss. And then we got the weekend show and then ended up on breakfast, which is where we met. So I was saying it was funny because when I'd go to secondary school, me and my dad would always have the breakfast show on with you. So when I said to my dad, I was going to the jungle. And I was like, and I'm with Melvin, who was higher.
Help it. Your dad's a legend by the way. Well, you know, what can you do? I like him. Yeah. I like him. He's a good guy. I want to know about Dick and Dom. I want to know about the bungalow. Was it as unhinged? Dick and Dom was like the best job on TV. It looked it. Because I'd just go and there was no plan for us. I'd go in and the costume lady would be like, OK, Melvin, you're going to dress up as a lady now.
You're like, yeah. OK, cool. And then someone will be on my ear and be like, Melvin, start dancing around, and then you get covered in custard. Like, there was no plan. And Dick and Don were... They, for me, were... They were as good as Anandek in my eye. Yeah. They were just so good, and they were so reactive, and so good with, like, the kids and stuff.
and really, really funny and had the best features. But it's actually a guy called Steve Wright. He's the brains behind it. Like he's the producer and he's literally like a genius. He had so many amazing ideas and he would make us laugh. We love the show because of him. When they were in your ear were they making you laugh too?
Because he would say stuff that would just never make TV. And like, when you're getting covered in, can I swear on this problem? Absolutely. When you're getting covered in shit. And you felt like you'd reached the pinnacle in your ear who'd just be like, more.
But it'd be like more custard, more mushy peas. And then it would just get thrown on and this guy called Pat who's like a cameraman and he had like the best laugh. Think about the person in your circle who has the best laugh. That was Pat. And it was just like a little family. It was the best show to work on. That's really nice and I loved watching it. It was fun. I used to want to go on the show. I'm glad I didn't. I feel like I was playing it. You would have been amazing on dick. Maybe now.
But you know they do like a live version of the show for adults. Yeah, because everyone is now your age. So last year, last year, they went on to his massive. So Dick and Dog do a live version of the show with all the games. And then the guy who played his name is Ian Kirkby. He's actually like a trained actor. He went to Radha or something.
And he comes and plays the DC. And when he comes out, he gets a stand innovation. When he went to Newcastle, because he's characters from Newcastle, people were standing up giving him a round of applause. He's huge. But I did the final one in London, and it's a big deal.
I had no clue. I knew that they were drum and bass DJs. They did a live version of the show. If it comes back, I'll let you know. We'll go and watch this. Please, God. That's like my dream. I went on a date to that show. What? Yeah. I went on a first date. How many kind of dream date, though? That's quite a really... Because she was like, what is this? But at the end of it, she was like, this is the best date ever. 100%. Yeah. You've had some good dates, like some funny dates stories. I think you got them making fun. Yeah.
Yeah, I completely agree. And it's hard of your work schedule though, because we were saying this, when you did the breakfast breakfast show at Kiss, the hours were insane. Like what time would you have to get there? So I put like four in the morning or 30. And then I'd get there like five, five, 30. Me and Ricky were always late. Charlie was always on time. Ricky would have to wake up sometimes and call his house mate to get him up. Because that was his party time. Like he was always in bed. But yeah, super early start. So try and have dates in the afternoon.
And then you'd have to leave early if you had to go to bed. Yeah, if the date was run into like 10 o'clock, it was too late for me. Like I'd be falling asleep at the table. You know I've got to go to bed. Yeah, but like lunchtime was like peak time. Yeah. Yeah. Something else you've done, which is iconic, is strictly. Yeah. And the winter version of Strictly's here. I don't know what that would be. The Christmas special. The Christmas special. You were robbed on Strictly in itself. Yeah. Right. Do you know the story of that?
So was it because you were in the bottom two of Anastasia? Correct. And obviously, the public are going to keep in Anastasia because she's an Anastasia. That's not the full story. Oh, tell me. So the full story, she had an injury of some kind. Right. And she was like, I don't want to do the dance off, because everyone in the bottom two has to do a dance off. Right. And she was the biggest sign in that year, that international star. And they asked us to do it for years. Right.
hit this guy. I begged them to do it like years before. I had to do an audition. So they were like, Melvin, we're going to put it to the bottom two. I was with Jeanette Manrara and Jeanette was like kicking off going, no, let's do the dance off next week. She was really fighting my corner. I was depleted. And I was like, I was really like, failed at the tango.
in my little suit. And I was like, I don't want to have to do this again. So I was just like, it's OK. So I was just kind of, you know what I'm like. I'm just sure. Yeah. And then I got obviously eliminated. And then I think the public went crazy and was just like, Melvin, you were robbed. He was robbed, yeah. So the exec producer called me up and was like, do you want to do the Christmas special on the same year? Right. And I was like, I'm not too sure about that.
And she was like, why not? And I was like, because I've kind of already failed, and I don't want to be a failure again. And I was like, give me a bit of time to think about. So I called my sister, who you know, who everyone loves. And I was like, yo, what should I do? And she was like, do it. You're going to smash it. And I was like, I don't know. And she's like, just do it. But just ask for Jeanette. I said, OK, I'm only going to do it if I can do Jeanette. Yeah.
So, did it with Jeanette, came home from my first rehearsal, and my sister called me and said, I'm coming over. And she was like, show me your rehearsal video. I was like, okay. And she learnt Jeanette's dance. So okay. And she'd rehearse with me every single night, and then I'll rehearse with Jeanette every single day. Yeah. And then I won the Christmas special. Too right. Too right that you did. So that's the story. So I won and lost all in the same year.
That's like there should be like some sort of quote. Well, yeah, we'll make up a quote. We'll make it like a fun quote. But I feel like I made history. I'm the only person to win and lose strictly in the... In the same year. It's strictly hard. It's like the training. It's the hardest, apart from the jungle, thing you can do. But I think...
You'd do really well. You'd do really, really well. Because it's half you being dedicated to it and... We've lost it the first time at all. No, I think you'd be dead. I think you're a very focused person. God bless. And I think it's also people loving you and your personality. And now we've got different audiences now. Do you feel like you've got a different audience since coming out? Hell yeah. Okay, I'm going to tell you a story.
Only because you're getting stuff out of me. So I have a neighbor who is really lovely, but he's the kind of neighbor that just goes, hi, Mel. And then goes about his business. I had the longest conversation ever with him and his family on the train after doing the jungle. And they were like, we were supporting you. And like, I never had a conversation with them like this until doing the jungle. I've lived there 10 years.
Imagine 10 years. Oh yeah, hello. Yeah, I've had like OAPs coming up to me and I thought, thank you. Well, that's beautiful. Yeah, I thought I finally cracked the older generation because usually I don't think they'd like us because of our jetlight. If I say I'm on TikTok, whatever, straight away, straight away, I don't give a fuck. Well, I feel like strictly did that, but I've been a long time since.
told me this in the jungle, but when you were out of strictly, you had a guy come up to you in the street. I think it was like Oxford Street or something. What was that story? And he was like, you were really good on the street. Yeah, after the street is really old, like almost like your traditional, like stereotypical old man. Yeah. And he was like, you're really good on strictly this weekend.
And I was doing like kiss at the time and he would have never said hello to me or something like that. But it was just like you kind of realised how much a show like that opens up your audience. And how many people watch? I did not realise how many people watch these shows. But the jungle, the first episode was just under 11 million. Really? That upsets me because I had prime acne first episode.
And a few days, maybe like episode 12, when it had started to go down. Yeah, but I had the receding hair like that. So we were both struggling in that show. I remember there was the car window and you caught glimpse of yourself in the car window and your face genuinely were like, no. I was like, because I brought in the do-rag for a reason. And just because there's no mirrors. So I forgot about that aspect. So yeah, we did that trial. It was like a challenge or something. And we looked through the window.
And I was like, sugar. Do you ragtime needs to come out? And I wore the hats for so long. You did. I never wore my hat. I still wear a hat in the kitchen. In the kitchen? It's 200 pounds. It feels unhygienic having that in the kitchen. It should have kept it. It was how much?
Really? I went online to try and buy someone something. I should have kept it to sell it. Yeah. Me like I'm hot up. I should have sold it. Well, you could have given it to a charity. Oh, all right. Okay. Yeah, I should have given it to a charity. Sorry. Sorry. I've got on here. Oh, Cara Baudeman. Yeah. Have you had any update on that?
You're not going to tell me. I'll tell you. I'll try my luck. I'll tell you the truth. God bless. Because you were putting pressure on me to call her or send a message. Let me wait until I come home. I sent her a DM on Instagram. Bear in mind, my sister and my mate Dan and my mate Lizzie were looking after my page. And they were like, she was lovely. She was replying to messages. I was thinking,
Sorry, I'm in. So, I'm in. I sent her a message saying thanks for being a great sport. Yeah. But, you know, here's my number. Give me my call. Give me a little call. She's not read it. It's been three weeks. I told Mora and Dean, and Mora went to New Melbourne and asked if the ship sailed, it's over. She said she's not interested. Why? Why would you not even just read it? It's just Lee left it. Yeah, yeah. And I check it once a week to see.
Okay, no no borders yet. We've got pride of Britain net this year though. I'm not going. I will not go to find a bridge until she's replied No events. Yeah, no, that's completely first. Those are my terms. Yeah, fine. I'm gonna go to NTA's. Okay. Yeah, surely we'll all be invited this year. Oopsie. I've not been invited for years. I think the first time was last year that I was invited.
I used to go all the time, me and Ricky would go into all the little boxes and stuff. Really? You did like a box, what's the word? Because we used to do shows on ITV, and then not tell them what it is, then it just stops. There needs to be a show about the behind the scenes of the boxes at the NTA's, because the wildest shit happens in there. That's the best part. Yeah, people go feral. Yeah. I watched Colleen's documentary, and there was one about Rebecca Vardy in the box, eating a burger and Prosecco. Is that the story?
I mean, there's a lot more to it. The one on Amazon Prime. No, the ITV one that she just released. OK, I'll watch that one as well. Quick question. On here, I've got X Factor. What did she do for X Factor? I worked for an extra factor with Rochelle. Did you? Yeah, so we did the year that Caroline Flack and Ollie Merz hosted it. Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl were judges and Rita Ora. Oh, you had Prime Year? Yeah, with Simon. It was amazing. How was that?
It was amazing, like a great job. It was tough though. It's relentless because you have to work on Simon Cowell's time if you've worked with him before. No. So he works on LA time. Oh. Yeah. So he comes quite late in the day. And if you want to do interviews, it has to be like all on his time.
So like you and then you work really really late so that it's your your work in the Americans are absolutely not There's no way and I feel like I feel a bit like shit on that show because one thing about me is I like to when I'm listening to a song I like to pretend that I'm performing it and every do you know what it's like a kink of mine Sometimes I like to listen to Beyonce and pretend okay
and pretend that I have just got up on the karaoke machine and all of a sudden I've surprised everyone with my amazing vocals and everyone's like in awe. That's like what I daydream about. I do a similar thing. Do you? I pretend I'm in the live lounge.
Yeah, so I sometimes daydream and go, oh, like, I get there just before the band. And I start singing. And then the artist comes and goes, Melvin, shit, you're amazing. And he joins me. Yeah. I do what I do. That was just me. Once I got caught, I wanted to be a pussy cat doll so fucking bad when I was younger. I was sexy dancing to, I think it was don't cheer or something in the mirror. And I was honestly like eight or nine. And I was giving it all this, like dry-humping the mirror. And my mum was stood there the whole time, and I didn't know what she did. Just what she did.
Actually, that sounds weird. But she was probably like, what the fuck is going on? Did she say anything? No, so I stopped doing that in front of the mirror. But I do it in my car now. Fair. If I'm like... It's a safe space. Yeah. Have you ever met any of the pushy cat dolls? They're all in the UK now, I feel like. Oh, wait. Kimberly Wyatt did a show with her. Surely, yeah. She's so flexible.
I thought everything I thought a pussy cat doll would be, you are. Really? Yeah, she was like, she was doing like the splits and stretching. I thought, wow. Good to know. Yeah, that's what you want from your pussy. You're welcome. Yeah, exactly that. Did you ever want to be a boy band when you were younger? Um... Um...
Yeah, but you wouldn't know any of them. Oh, they're like, they're like old school 90s ones like Jodice and Drew Hill and stuff like that. You're so right. I have absolutely no. You don't know Jodice, do you? No. Yeah, like I always loved the idea of being like the backup person for JLS because I know the boys now and they're just like the nicest guys.
If one wanted to go on holiday, I'd be like the person in the background. It could fill it. Yeah. Like the understudy. You could do the back flip that doesn't land like Aston. Don't. Sorry. Put some respect on Aston Bay.
Ashton, you know what, I've been to so many of their shows, and he never put a foot wrong. And Shadeborough, you know who you are, they put that up for no reason. I love that boy. I will not have a bad word said about Ashton. He used to be my crush back in the day, when I was at school. That was my life. Sure, Kings, we rule now. You do rule. You do rule. Although I don't actually think you're that short.
Five foot five on Wikipedia. Oh. Do you think that five foot five is okay? I actually do. I think when you get to and no shaming, when you get to like five, three, then that's sure. I would say. Yeah.
Yeah. But I still think embrace it. There's a lot that short men can do. Well? And we're underestimated. To right. Yeah. And I'm here to change that. I like a really tall woman with a short man. Yeah. Tom Cruise. I think that's iconic. Yeah. We did that. I'm sure like Tupac had a tall girlfriend. Was Tupac short? Tupac short. Yeah, Tupac short. So you Kevin Hart get one thing about me is I get you can laugh someone into bed. That is how I got my wife. That was how I got anyone in the past. I can laugh someone into bed. Humor is a weapon.
Isn't it just, if you're boring and short, you're fucked. Yeah, it's a problem. Yeah, yeah, it's a big issue going on there. Okay, I'm gonna move on to a nicer subject for you. Go on. The live lounge. Yes. The guests have been iconic. Right. One of which Sabrina. Oh yeah, you would have loved Sabrina. Sabrina? Yeah. Is my... She's quite naughty, actually.
Is she? Yeah. Because, you know, when she does a live show, she's always got like a little line that she makes for the town that she's doing. Yeah. And so when she did Big Week End for us, her line was to do with BBC, which has a double meaning. Yes, of course. Which, you know. Oh, and she did that for the time. Yeah, she did that for us. Did that run OK? Yeah. Well, it's really a carpenter, and you're not going to argue her. And Dula Peeps. Yeah, Dula Peeps. Dula Peeps. Dula Lipa. I think she's iconic. And the nicest girl as well.
Who is the best person you've ever met slash into? What? In just historically? Yes. On a personal level, it's Will Smith. Yeah, because he just goes out of his way to give you the best interviews. Really? Yeah, and I remember one time, when you do junkets and stuff, when all the reporters are in a little room and journalists in a little room, he would come to the room and be like, hi, everyone. And if you remember, he's like, hi, Melvin. Hey, Ricky, can't wait to see you guys.
Like he goes out of his way. I remember one time he did this premiere and he came to the front and he got like a little kid to intro the film with him. And as he left the premiere, I was there with like my date and he came and shook my hand before he left. So everyone was like, how do you know Will Smith? I bet you were like to the day. Me and Big William. He just makes you feel amazing. And so yeah, Will Smith's like my favorite person. Wow.
That's iconic. That's like, I always love Alison Hammond's interviews with people. She's a G at interviews. She just makes people so comfortable. I've never got that. If I'm meeting like a really big person, I just can't speak. Well, there's people who make you nervous, but at the end of the day, everyone's human. And I think we have that in your mind. Who's someone you'd love to interview? Obama.
I like Barack Obama. I just think he's so intelligent. I said this in the jungle. I feel like he's met people that we'd want to meet. Yeah. And he would have a story. And I feel like he knows shit that we need to know. Aliens.
He knows if aliens exist. He knows if we landed on the moon. I wouldn't want it to be filmed. I just want to sit and chat to him. Yeah. And about his experience being the president. I think he'd have so many great stories. And I feel like you can, I would always want to know what a big celebrity's favourite drink is because I feel like that says a lot about someone. I think you could probably Google that. I think it will exist somewhere. I feel like Barack Obama would like, he's had a tough life being a president so like whiskey. I would say a viptoe.
A vinto, don't think he drinks? Yeah, I think he has it. I think it's a little secret. Oh, a little secret. Yeah, he's got like a cupboard for it, just a vinto. Whenever I think of you, I always think of orange juice now. Oh, because that's why I remember you were absolutely buzzing for an orange juice. You don't drink, which was nice. You just downing an orange juice while I was half pissed on a glass of wine.
Was that like the best feeling when you guys got alcohol? Yeah, I know that sounds bad. No, but I would be the same. I think it was the night after you left or two nights when we got like a full glass of wine and I was actually pissed as a fart. I thought life's worse. I was, I just stopped watching this. I left. Yeah, I've stopped. I didn't even watch the cyclone. I thought, I don't care now. I'm not in it. I was human. I didn't make it there. So fuck only I'm not watching the cyclone. No, I don't care.
I had to watch it the day after sat with family and friends. I was kind of salty as well. I'm glad you did really well. You know, though, you was a favourite. God bless. To win. Really? Yeah, when I got out, I think you got to the point where, like, you, Mora, and then everyone that made it to the final, you were all favourites to win.
I was shocked when Mora left. I was actually like in shock. I was as shocked at Mora leaving as I was about you leaving. Really? Yeah. Well, it's fine because we all worked it out that two people were leaving on my day and Mora's day. So when they went Alan and Grace, it might be you. We were both like Coleska. We didn't even need to wait for them to tell us. What was your reaction? Just chill.
I was a bit like a joke because in the bush telegraph they'd gone to me. Just tell us how much you'd love to do the cyclone. And I was like, no, because it would be embarrassing if I'd get voted out today. And they were like, you probably won't. So just tell us. I was like,
All I want to do is do the cyclone, and then they cut to me getting voted out the day before the cyclone. I thought that is so much. Yeah, they did that shit to me. Yeah, they were like, Melbourne, would you mind if you left today? And I was like, yeah, you know, it's my time to go with it. That was me. I was caught that day. But the best part is the Prosecco at the end of the, well, not for you, but at the end of the bridge, the little drink at the end of the bridge. I thought it was still delicious, the orange juice. Did they give you an orange juice at the end of the bridge? How would your interview? Were you a bit on edge or were you? I said,
I said the weirdest stuff that I didn't actually mean. They were like, Melvin, what did you learn? And do you know what I said? What? I learned to care for people. You like a psychopath. What was I talking about? I did that because I was like, what have I learned here? Because I didn't have an answer. And I think I was making reference to the fact that when we were doing the cooking, you were the same. We served everyone else before we served ourselves, stuff like that. Can I admit something?
I'd always give myself a bigger portion. Really? Do you know why I got told off for not giving myself enough food at the end? Yeah, Bush Telegraph was like, Melvin, we're noticing you're not eating as much as everyone else, and you're always eating like lard. Me, I was that extra spoonful. Are you serious? Yeah, I thought, fuck you, I've cooked this. I'm rubbish. Are you? Yeah, I swear to God. Some days I was so hungry when you were cooking. My bad, Melvin. You know what, I think that was, yeah, well,
Yeah, I have to apologise. That is amazing. I wish I had the confidence. And I think I was cooking with Telisa one day, and they were like, oh my God, there's so much extra stuff, but you'd all started eating. So we just poured all of it in ours. And I was like, oh. Oh, man. Yeah, but you know what? Cooking's hard. Delven's diner. Yeah, no, no. I respect it. There's no joke there. There was no joke. It was, that's a tough job as well, because everyone's like this. And I never noticed we were doing that until I started cooking. Everyone's watching your every move. You would be on the closest bed like this.
I'd be like sniffing the food, like, that looks nice. What is that? But the killer was Barry, because if he was always hungry, and he'd always have to help out, because he wouldn't use the cook faster. And she'd know what else, as well. Sometimes she'd be really hungry, and they'd be like, does anyone want the leftovers? But you just knew you couldn't say yes, because Barry was one of them. So we didn't have to give it to Barry. I'm going to use Jim. You're not. Young and Curtis, Jim. Are you? What's inspiring to do some training?
That's kind of iconic. Did you ever think you'd be sparring with Baron? No. He's a legend, man. Such a nice dude. And he's really sweet. And do you know what? I miss him asking loads of questions.
What? But again, that never made it to TV. No one knows what we're talking about. Because when we did trials, if anyone's watching, like Barry would always ask the most questions because he wants to get it right. He needs the details. He was a details man. And it would be, they'd be like, don't ask any questions and he'd go,
Can I just ask Chris for that? He was the funniest being ever. And we'd be there for 40 minutes, like is that Barry guy? That was my favourite thing. It was incredible. But he stopped asking after a while. I think, I mean, first episode, I remember being like, we're not going to make it. I could imagine. We're not going to make it to the jungle. Yeah, that was funny. Can I say something? Yeah. Why were we made to sing at the rap party twice, and they didn't even air it?
That's a good thing, I didn't want to sing in there. Why? Well, we made a sing again. That is one thing I will not miss about the jungle. The thing I loved about you was how much you hated when they asked you to do anything. And then when you watched the show, actually your comments were the best because you just didn't want to do it.
Do you remember one day? They were just like, oh, it would be nice if you guys just had like a converse about this. But someone heard the question wrong and it turned into everyone giving their life stories for four hours. Oh, we can. And I just stood up and went, I know none of you give a fuck and we're going to stop this conversation here.
Oh, I cannot move on with it. Was I still there? Yes, do you remember? And it was like how you started off in the industry. Oh, yeah. Everyone was given their life story that we'd all heard. It never made it, did it? Of course not. It would have taken nine episodes. Honestly, I remember sat there and I thought, this is hell, but everyone was so polite in there. But the one that did make it was like, I think when people see you in public or something like that, that one did make it. But they cut around me because I'd been evicted.
Yeah, so I've watched it going, I was in this conversation, but they got around me. That's so close. Really good answers. No, sometimes I watch it back and I think the editing on this. It's incredible. It's sensational. It was incredible. I like to end the pod with a lovely question, don't worry, don't be scared. Okay. And it is, what advice would you give to save grace? To save you. Yes. And it has to be something, I know I'm perfect, but you have to give me something.
Honestly, yeah, I think you're already perfectly like you're actually one of my favorite people and And I I'm really gas because you make me cool to young people
That's exactly what the ref said. Yeah, like my, like my cousins in my, cause my cousins don't give a shizzle about me. Like what I do. But when I'm, I said, I know you and you and more and make me flipping cool to young. Well, you're welcome. The young people. I saved you. It reminds me of my kiss days. Well, thank you. That's actually really nice. Yeah. So just be, keep being you man is my advice. And would you like to plug anything while you're here?
Uh, radio one, please listen to that, that's really good. Yep. Just the hold of radio one. Yeah, anything else? Oh, okay. I'm the new face of Tilda Rice. There we go!
I haven't recorded it yet, but it's coming soon. That's amazing. That should be good. Get the rice. Put that in your gallet. That's kind of fitting, rice and beans. That's why I got it. That is so fucking good. Maybe I'll be like the face of Heinz. You can do beans. Now we're talking. Did we have peas or beans? We had beans. I've already forgotten the food.
Anyway, thank you so much for coming on. It's been sensational. Love. If you've been watching, give it a like and subscribe. If you've been listening, give it a follow and a five-star review. Bye. You made it to the end. Well done, you. If you haven't already, hit follow. Why not? Tap that button right now for new episodes every Wednesday. And if you want more Saving Grace, catch me on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram at SavingGracePod.