Jordan’s cage-fighting ex is coming to Kent to get his kit off in public. Helen Geraghty stripped away the hype.

You know those people who can’t seem to stop putting themselves up for it?

When Alex Reid wed Katie Price in Las Vegas in 2010, he wasn’t heading for smooth waters. Poor newly-dumped Peter Andre told how, in a uniquely English snub, he once saw Alex on TV drinking tea from his old mug. The marriage lasted a year, Jordan called Alex 'fame-obsessed’.

Another 12 months on, not only is Alex engaged to another celebrity, fellow Big Brother winner Chantelle Houghton, but it’s all steam ahead, she is pregnant with a little girl.

So, now he goes on This Morning to promote new show WildBoyz with the other 'celebrity hunks’, pumped, primed and all shiny with muscle-enhancing lotion. And he gets called an 'oiled goon’ by a tabloid. Nasty. But funny.

So why, oh why, instead of going back to the comparative peace and quiet of his cage fighting day job, is Alex stripping off on stage for a show labelled; 'hysterical adults only comedy. The Full Monty meets Ibiza’?

Alex says: “I was trained as an actor professionally over 10 years ago. I have always been an actor. At first I was a little bit dubious about this. I was advised it might not be great but I think it is a bit of fun.

“I thought if it is good enough for Robert Carlyle (strippers’ leader Gaz) in The Full Monty, it is good enough for me.”

The storyline for WildBoyz is that our four celebrity hunks are en route to a glitzy celebrity bash at a mate’s stag do in Bali, when their flight unexpectedly hits an ash cloud and gets diverted leaving them stranded in a cheap Spanish hotel. The international male strip group booked to appear for a hen party at the hotel don’t turn up. And I reckon you’ve guessed the rest now.

When we speak, Alex had been out running but knows that is not the right kind of fitness training for stripping in front of an audience. At 36, he is the eldest of the four WildBoyz.

“I am going to get my kit off on stage and look, I am vain and there is three young guys I am going to be on stage with! So I will be living in the gym from now until we hit the road.”

The publicity material says WildBoyz is a 'hysterical tease from the beginning to its spectacular climax, lifting the lid on the world of celebrity, with audience participation, guaranteeing not a dry seat in the house.’ It mentions nudity. How much 'kit’ actually does come off, I ask. Should one bring one’s nan?

“It’s not pornographic!” he says. Depends on the calibre of the nan, then, I guess.

After not wanting to do this late-running interview in the slightest, I’ve warmed to this strange man from a desperately silly world. He was honestly apologetic at calling 10 minutes late, he likes to chatter in an inconsequential way (the best) and he doesn’t show off. Plus he has a lovely deep voice.

How does he feel about being called 'Jordan’s ex, Alex Reid’?

“I don’t like it but I don’t get mega-offended by it. I had a reasonable career before I met her. I believe in who I am and I know where I am going and am doing it.

“When I hear I am a 'cagefighting dimwit’ it is a bit unfair. You do get some nice media people but a lot of stuff I say is misconstrued. I suppose that is what you call 'the rough with the smooth’.

“Before I went into the Big Brother house I wasn’t sure I wanted to go in but there you are. Being famous for being famous’ sake, I am not interested in.”

That’s good, I mention, because with a baby girl on the way he is obviously aware that the cult of fame, selfishness, self-publicity and self importance now can’t ever again be allowed space on his daily diary.

“Wow, the baby is the main thing on my mind. I can’t wait. Do you have children? Any tips?” he asks.

I never expected to swap childcare tips with a cage fighter but I mention that in my opinion, that if you can give the baby a brother or sister, it is worth more than any expensive toy you can ever buy them. I notice that my own daughters have just come back from school and from the window I can see one hitting the other with a heavy broom on the path.

Hiding the publicity pictures of men in their pink pants under my computer keyboard, I ask him, when his daughter is in the playground and some kid asks her 'So, what did your dad get famous for anyway!’ what does he want her to say?

“Because he was passionate, a crusader,” he says, putting himself up for it one more time.

Crusader it is then.

WildBoyz is at Chatham’s Central Theatre on Thursday, May 3, box office 01634 338338. The show comes to the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, on Friday, May 4, box office 01892 530613. On Sunday, May 13, it is at the Winter Gardens, Margate, box office 01843 296111. There’s a last chance to see the show on Thursday, June 14, it is at Gravesend’s Woodville Halls, box office 01474 337774.