More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A Kent man who has become the first contestant of Channel 4's Naked Attraction to walk off the set, after seeing six women in the nude, had a much earlier brush with TV fame.
Brian Chau Rodriguez, 23, from Maidstone, appeared on a Christmas episode of Basil Brush when he was a child, which was filmed at Maidstone Studios.
Watch: Brian became overwhelmed after the naked women appeared in front of him
The wine expert was so desperate to track down the TV special that he offered £50 for anyone who could help, and after many years it finally came to light when the BBC got in touch.
Mr Chau Rodriguez also took part in ITV's Dress to Impress, when he and three rivals competed to go on a date with a young woman by finding the perfect outfit.
A much publicised clip from an upcoming episode of Naked Attraction, to be aired tonight, shows Brian needing to take a moment away from the cameras when he was faced with the bare bodies.
For those who haven't seen the series, contestants whittle down six potential love interests, based solely on naked attraction.
The naked hopefuls stand in booths and their bodies are gradually revealed to the contestant using screens.
After eliminating those in the group, one by one, the contestant finally decides who they want to take on a date - fully clothed.
Speaking about himself to show host Anna Richardson, Brian said: “I’m a 23-year-old virgin. I’ve had no luck with dating and I’ve always wondered what’s wrong with me.
"I’ve always had this picture in my head of the ideal woman but she’s never arrived. I’ve had half a lap dance. I sort of avoided looking at the bottom part, it was just too awkward to look”.
In the clip, host Anna asks: "Are you OK, Brian? You look like you're about to faint, Brian."
Shaking his head and covering his face with his hand, he replies: "Sorry, I need a moment."
Off camera, he explained: "It’s overwhelming, I mean, you know in a good way, perhaps I needed this. But I just need to let it sink in just a bit.”
After taking time off the set Brian composed himself and returned.
Brian is a contributor for Taste Kent, a website which celebrates the best of Kent’s food and drink scene.
He studied at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and according to the Taste Kent website, he's currently working towards the WSET Level 3 in wines.
The much sought after Basil Brush episode, It's a wonderful Brush, first aired in 2004.
Since he was 16, Mr Chau Rodriguez has been pleading with the BBC, Wikipedia, YouTube and Maidstone Studios, where the show was filmed, to help him find the episode.
He was "over the moon" when the BBC emailed him saying they have found it on a VHS tape.
He said: "At last I received a snapshot of me with my sister Daisy and two friends on set, with Basil and Santa peering through the window behind us.
"It was a pleasure to appear on Basil Brush with some brilliant actors."
