Mark Ferguson: 'The Smarmy Host'
Mark Ferguson admits he wasn't initially interested in doing Living the Dream. "I thought it was going to be a fairly standard reality show, but once I had a look my jaw pretty much hit the floor and I was sold on the concept," he says.
The veteran actor first made his name here as Giles in 80s show Gloss, and followed that by playing both the dastardly Darryl and his good twin Damien in Shortland Street, among a slew of other high-profile roles.
"I also hosted The Mole and the first series of Big Brother, so I really have been a reality show host before. I got to satirise myself as a reality host. The worst thing about that is that I'm not 100% sure that the audience will understand I'm genuinely taking the p*** out of myself and they'll think I really am that cheesy and awful as a host. It's a double-edged sword!"
Mark's quick to add that he's nothing like his "smarmy host" character."Similarities? Well, we're both six-foot-four, but that's about where it ends!"
For Mark, one of the biggest highlights of the show was Sam. "He was sensational! And of course a huge highlight when the 'reveal' came was that he didn't punch me! Because he's quite a fit guy and could have done me some damage."
Away from acting, Mark also runs a business specialising in corporate events and entertainment, but his favourite role is playing dad to his two young sons.
