I am a retired British Playboy model and ex G4TV presenter - AMA!

Do people often recognise you? How do you react if they ask for a picture or say hello?

No not anymore! It used to happen occasionally but as most of my TV work was in the US nobody in the UK knew who I was unless they read FRONT. I was always friendly though 👍🏻

I see you interviewed Die Antwoord. Are they as crazy as they seem?

No they were really quiet! I was super nervous about interviewing them as I was a big fan of theirs (still am) but they seemed quite shy IRL.

I first was introduced to them in the movie "Chappie." I didn't know they were a band until my girlfriend looked them up, and then played nothing but their music as we went to bed for like 2 weeks. I'm not the biggest fan, but I thought they did well in the movie, and are somewhat entertaining. Was always interested in how much of it was an act and how much of it is real.

I do think they are created characters in a way but ones that they have fully invested themselves into as all of their tattoos and everything are real. I love their style and how they really push boundaries and I think without them we wouldn't have other outsider music like Little Big and Tommy Cash.

Why the username?

It's my old Myspace username.

What's the worst/best pick-up line you've heard from a guy trying to start a conversation with you?

I'm quite lucky in that I haven't had to suffer many pick up lines in real life although I do get really odd message requests on Facebook sometimes. The best was "Do you like country music? Do you want kids? Do you only speak and understand English?"

How does one become a playboy model?

Its a long and arduous process. For Playmates it involves lots of test shoots etc and there is a very specific look. I wasn't a Playmate though, I modelled mainly for their Special Editions (Blondes, Brunettes & Redheads) and was their UK Cybergirl of the Year.

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Because it was something I did at the beginning of my career and I did loads of other stuff after.

Are you still writing? Are there any topics or genres you've never written in that you've set your sights on?

No, I don't write anymore. I sometimes write blogs and that but I only really write when I'm miserable and I haven't been sad for quite a while. Which is a good thing for my mental health but bad for creative output!

I find writing really cathartic and would love to write something more factual one day.

What was the conversation like with your parents/family/friends when you told them you were posing for Playboy?

Also, what is the mansion like?

I don't think I told them! Haha. I think in general my modelling upset my Dad as it was quite public and he didn't like it that his friends could google me. My Mum just thought it was funny.

I never actually went to the mansion, I worked for Playboy mainly in the UK so it was never a thing although I did meet Hef a couple of times and was a bunny at his 80th birthday party in London.

Amazing. What did you make of Hef? What would you have said if he'd asked you to move in with him at the Playboy Mansion?

You know, I've read a few books now on the mansion and it sounds absolutely gross! I'd like to say I would have said no, but ten years ago Playboy was a really big deal to me and I was quite naive, so I'm not so sure what I would have done. Maybe I would have moved in but I don't think I could have stomached it for very long! As for Hef, he just seemed a bit... doddery!? He is really really old.

Whats your opinion about pineapple on pizza?

BIG fan (sorry)

Have you heard of the high elves?

From Skyrim?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN80_7rNmcE

HAHAHAHA

Were you friends with anyone at G4, and do you stay in touch? How did you get started there?

I was friends more with the crew than any of the onscreen talent and I still speak to a lot of the camera guys and producers as they were really fun people. Kevin Pereira was always super nice and funny, he was the first person I met from G4. I was booked to do a short segment with him when they were over doing a travel segment in the UK and impressed everybody with my nerd knowledge. Next thing I know I was being hired to be their European Correspondent! It was an awesome job I absolutely loved it. Such nice people to work for.

Do you still talk to Kevin? He was always one of my favorite people on G4! RIP Attack of the Show

No, I don't, although I can attest he is a really nice guy.

If your daughter wanted to become a model, would you try to dissuade her, or encourage her?

Would you ever want to get back into modelling, maybe something less risqué?

Finally, are there any plans for another calendar?

I'd be supportive, as long as it made her happy. I'm not sure if the kind of modelling I did will still be around by the time she grows up though!

As for me, I still do the odd shoot every now and again and I wouldn't rule out another calendar completely although I don't have any plans for one at the moment.

I miss G4TV so much! Used to watch it all the time! What was your favorite moment on set?

I loved working at SDCC, that was my favourite time working for G4. I remember they gave me an assistant while I was working which made me feel like a total bigshot, but I was too nice! I felt guilty asking her to do anything for me! She was all "can I get you a coffee?" and there's me going "here let me give you some money for that..." she's like "no! It's all paid for!" I just didn't get it.

• What was the best bit of advice you've been given?
• What preconceptions about society did you lose during your time as a model?
• Are you happy with the way your life has turned out so far?
• What's your favourite pizza topping?

"Work hard and be nice to people." I had a really long career as a model and I owe a lot of it to being easy and fun to work with (for the most part). I was certainly never the best looking or the most popular but I was always a grafter! Nowadays my life is a lot quieter, but I'm a lot happier for sure.

Biggest preconception? Hmm... well I think when you are in that world people think you are having the bestest time, but I suffered with depression a lot and was quite lonely. The same could be said for a lot of the celebrities I interviewed too I guess.

Favourite pizza topping is a condiment... that Frank's chilli sauce is amazing

How's the porn collection coming along?, i remember seeing you had quite the filthy collection on a Channel 5 program many moons ago.

It has diminished somewhat, I like retro porn now haha.

Did you ever get to work with Olivia Munn?

I didn't work with her, but I met her a few times.

Was she a bitch?

Haha. She wasn't the nicest person I ever met, but no.

Am I the only one that remembers you from the Juiced ad? That was awesome.

That advert is OLD! I must have filmed it ten years ago but props for remembering it!

How does being a British Playboy model differ from being an American one? I guess the circulation is smaller? Do they pay the same for a photoshoot as the US branch does? I know US Playboy Models, often make more money doing promotional work ( Opening Car Dealerships, Appearing at night clubs,,,,) is that the same thing for the British PM models?

There isn't a British Playboy, I am British. I modelled for the American magazines/website and the pay was pretty average if I remember correctly.

What are your thoughts on Brexit?

That it was never something that should have gone to a public vote.

What was your favourite moment from your time doing modelling? Is there anything you'd have loved to have done, but didn't get the chance?

My best moment was my cover of Bizarre magazine. Everything about that shoot was perfect from the makeup and hair to my outfit... even the playlist on the day, it was such a brilliant experience and I love the pictures. I would have loved to have gotten a cover of FRONT also but there was weird politics at play there which is a story for another time!

It was dumb that you were never on the cover of FRONT. You and that goth bird were like, 90% of the reason for buying it, especially when the rest of the content got proper rubbish.

Do you mean Von? We met up a few weeks ago! I hadn't seen her in 5 years before that!

Yeah! You and her were great!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIPkQMWjU8o/

How do you feel about Playboy discontinuing nude models, and going for more of a GQ look?

I think it is lame AF.

What career challenges would you like to take on in the future?

I think the only two things left on my bucket list are to make a documentary and write a book.

Do you have a subject in mind for the documentary?

I want to make one on why glamour modelling isn't cool anymore and why boobies are naff.

Naff? I am ignorant. What does this mean?

Naff means a bit rubbish. Equivalent to lame.

Oh man I don't think I can agree with her statement then. But, I guess she is the one who owns a pair so she might know better than me

It's not me who thinks it, just seems to be the general attitude from society at large atm

It means that now that she isn't deriving money from being pretty, she will rip on it and tell people that it's wrong.

Happens a lot, but DEFINITELY when women get less marketable.

Nope, not the approach I was gonna take actually

Yeah I picked railroad, Father was dodgy af

Did you have any interesting offers that you turned down for some reason? Shoots, ads, etc.

I turned down the opportunity to be the face of Panache lingerie for some awful Mac & Bumble shoot just because it involved a trip to America. So bad. It was a horrible trip.

What do you mean by a horrible trip?

As in it was genuinely scary. The guys who ran that site were the worst.

You were so hot in the promo for Juiced. How do you feel about the negative reaction to its concept?

It was never a real advert! It was made specifically for the internet. I thought it a was pretty funny (fake) ad 😜

Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and do they have funny names?

I have a dog called Bronson, named after the Tom Hardy film. He's a blue staffy and is soft as shit.

How do you feel about cats?

I'm allergic to cats

Awesome, love the name. How old is he?

He's 2 1/2!

Are you the model in the picture of the redhead with red lipstick in the plaid zip up hoodie? Cuz damnnnnnnnn that's some good work!

Yup!

If you could offer your past self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Just to be a bit more open minded. I spent years sweating the small stuff when in hindsight none of it really mattered.

Been a fan of yours since my teenage days!

1. What was the last thing you did that gave you a brilliant sense of pride and satisfaction?

2. If you were to spend 6 months on the international space station and we're allowed 3 luxury items, what would they be?

3. What advice would you give your 20 year old self and then your 30 year old self?

4. If you were to gift me a book, what would it be?

5. If you could master 1 skill you don't have right now, what would it be?

6. Can I buy you a drink one day? I'm heading to Tavistock in September ;)

1. Gave birth to my daughter, no contest. She makes me feel like that every day.
2. PS4, Friday Night Lights box set, Bioshock.
3. 20 year old self: Forget about the cheerleaders. One sweet day you will catch the girl who stole it's husband cheating on her and it will be the best. day. ever. 30 year old self: Life will get better sooner than you think. Chin up.
4. The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer by Susan Lynch.
5. Alpaca farming.
6. I don't actually know where Tavistock is! Lol.

Do you like tea? Have you read any book written by Haruki Murakami? What's your favorite video game?

Yes (it's my favourite), no, and Silent Hill.

Did JD ever sort out their website?

Did you get the air max?

Hahahaha 😂 No and NO! Sad face.

Didn't actually think you would respond 😂 Feel like I wasted my question now

That was actually the best question so far! Haha

Who do you miss the most from G4?

The exec producer John Rieber, he's one of the nicest most genuinely enthusiastic people I've ever met/worked with.

The US has kind of a puritan culture and women who model for Playboy find they often get celebrity but negative interactions with family afterwards. Does that occur in the UK or did you send all your uptight pain's in the ass to the colonies?

I don't think us Brits are as bothered. My family are all fine about it (although it did take my Dad a bit of time to adjust).

How's the kick-starter going ?

Unfortunately we didn't hit our target (launching it just before Brexit probably wasn't the wisest move) so it's currently on the backburner but there are still plans to do something with the idea as I definitely think it's a documentary that needs to be made!

what 5 things would u try to experience if u could be the opposite gender for a day?

I would do one thing and one thing only, and that would be stand in a mirror and slap my dick on my legs from side to side, like that dude in KIDS.

What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use? You have beautiful hair and it's so shiny. Both my husband and son are redheads, I'd appreciate any advice.

Err, I use a mixture of brands - I try to go paraben free when I can but I can't give up my Aussie leave in conditioner stuff as it smells amazing.

So what plans do you have?

Are you working on a book? Chasing about for a new TV show? Auditioning for films?

Nope! I don't work in the same industry anymore. Genuinely just doing this because I'm bored/curious.

Has someone ever asked you to autograph a nude picture of yourself? Does it make you feel weird (or would it)? Or are you just like "damn, my tits look great here".

Pretty much the latter, yeah.

how big is ur dong?

HUGE.

Holy shit, I remember you. You were all over Front magazine. Got any stories from Front shoots?

I have LOADS of stories from Front shoots. The best shoots were in the early days when me and Von would shoot our column pictures together as they were completely mental (lots of nudity and spitting beer at each other) but most of it never made it into the mags.

Do you get confused with Kari Byron?

Nope.

Do regret anything in your life?

Nope, nothing. Even the horrendous ex boyfriends had a function.

Female here! I am a big fan, thank you for doing this AMA. My hubby is military and is always requesting sexy pictures for his deployments. Any advice on how I can take sexy photos for him?

Yeah I cosign Brainchasm. There's a great photography studio over here that I've worked with called Dollhouse that do amazing pinups and will make you look THE BOMB. I did one for my fella that only he has a copy of. If it's just selfies then I recommend finding somewhere with good light and playing about a bit to find the best angle(s). Having said that guys really aren't fussy, you don't have to look amazing in my experience.

What's your favourite film and favourite book?

My favourite film changes all the time, most recently I would say Dope and Straight Outta Compton are up there. Of all time maybe Kung Fury!? My favourite book is Happy Like Murderers even though it put me off sex for life.

Have you found your true love ? If yes, than was it love at first sight or hit & trial experimental method ;p

Experimental method. Eugenics mostly.

Ah, hey Alex! I think the first time I knew you was from the Star Trek Online launch and you were wearing a TNG science uniform, it was pretty damn good. Were you hired for the event or are you a trekkie yourself?

Big TNG fan but not so much the other series.

How do you feel about Front? Good/bad experience?

I'd say overall a mixed experience. I don't feel anything about it now as it doesn't exist, but working for them was definitely frustrating. Don't get me wrong, it opened a lot of doors and allowed me to be more myself in my modelling (and writing) but towards the end I hated it.

Playboy acted as a centre of culture during that time and seriously please don't get me wrong. Why do you think that people at that time specially feminists couldn't do a shit about nudism and so so?

I think nudity goes through phases and times where it is socially acceptable and times where its not. For every generation that thinks nudity is empowering, the next one comes along and shuts it down, and so on.

Do you remember trying on latex at comic con 2011 and was it uncomfortable? Here is video in case u forgot http://youtu.be/9_TT-ECoo0Y

Yeah, that was at House of Harlot, I used to love it there! I love latex clothing!

I remember seeing the episode where you went to Japan when I was younger, any crazy experiences or memories from that trip?

That trip was the best trip ever. I literally had SO MUCH FUN. The best part was behind the scenes as I met my friend Rachel out there and she stayed with me at the hotel as she was dating a roadie and it had gone south and she needed cheering up. My friend is a dominatrix, so I'd go to work every day and meet the most amazing people and do the most awesome stuff and then I would come home to my drunk wife and she would tell me these amazingly fucked up stories about poo porn and guys with no faces. She's really lived a life. I love her.

Did you expect G4 to last that long? I thought it would end in 2011.

I knew that things were a bit shaky. When I started with them in 2009 everything was great but 2011 onwards I was never really sure when I would be working next. It's a shame as just before they closed they'd just gotten me an O1 Visa and in the end I never used it!!

Do you ever look at the airbrushed finished photo and think it looks nothing like you or are they pretty true to life?

All the time! Haha! Back in the day we would get so angry if the photographer didn't photoshop us, nowadays everyone's the opposite!

As a balding, slightly overweight guy (i.e. redditor), I sometimes feel it would be nice to get compliments for my looks, free tickets to shows, and the like. On the other hand, I understand that it must suck most of the time to be the object of sexual attention from strangers.

Do you ever daydream of being a balding, overweight guy just for a day?

Every. Single. Day. And not even as an escape.

Have all countries that publish Playboy magazine converted to no nude pictures and if so, do you think Playboy will still be in business in the future because of this?

I think Playboy as a brand will still exist but I don't think the magazine will exist for much longer.

Did you have the chance to work with Underwood? Was she a terrible person?

(And don't say "retired"...say...."former". (Retired makes you sound geriatric)

I really liked Underwood she had a great sense of humour and was really approachable. Because I was shipped in for ten days at a time it was hard to get to know everyone but she was always nice and fun to hang out with at parties.

Hey sim, what was your most risqué shoot you did and do you now regret it looking back?

I hated the shoot I did for Mac & Bumble. They really exploited us, treated us like shit and wouldn't let us have our plane tickets home unless we posed nude. Such a horrible experience.

Do you play games often? What are your favorite games at the moment or that you are looking forward to?

Not as often as I would like (I'm still playing Fallout 4!) but I am looking forward to We Happy Few and No Man's Sky.

Is it true what they say about Hugh Hefner's orgies?

Can't say I ever went to one but I am sure they are as anti-climatic and gross as they have been described.

Do you have a boyfriend? Kidding how was it working on GTA?

Haha yes! I am a Mum now! What do you mean by GTA?

Did you ever have sex on a photoshoot?

Nope, never.

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Well, my daughter is a bit young to explain anything to (she's 2) but it's not something I plan on hiding. We have a few of my old pics around the house and I've kept a few photo albums so it is something that she will be brought up knowing about.

Been a fan of yours since attack of the show. For some reason I remember you loving a song by Phoenix and I love that song too now. What was it like working for G4TV? Can you give us any dirt on the crew from back then? I hope all is Awesome with you. What are you doing for life now?

Oh my days, that SONG! I still love it. It took me 7 YEARS to find that song (they used to play it at the Paris strip club I worked at and I could never find it, drove me crazy). G4TV were great to work for, really fun and professional. I only really got to work with Blair Herter and Kevin and both were super nice. Candace and Sara were really nice also.

How many people were present at photoshoots? Did you ever feel shame to take off your cloths infront of random folks, that you dont know?

Nah, it didn't bother me at all. Maybe when I first started I was a little shy but by the end it just felt totally normal. I'd say on an average magazine shoot there could be about ten people there (hair, makeup, wardrobe, photographer, picture editor and then each might have an assistant) although a lot of the photographers I worked with were women.

Was you ever offered page3? And can you spot fake boobs just by a picture?

Yes, I did Page 3 for the Daily Star a few times and was the face of the Sunday Star for a year a long long time ago! I never did the Sun as at the time they wouldn't print redheads!? Bit random, but probably for the best as I don't agree with the paper politically. I've seen some good boob jobs in my time so I don't think you can always tell tbh.

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Pics or it didn't happen.