The Real Full Monty is a series of British television specials that began airing on ITV on 15 June 2017. The series airs annual specials that feature celebrities stripping to raise money for cancer charities. Ashley Banjo appears in every special to coach the celebrities and choreograph.[1] Since 2018, local versions of the franchise have also been produced in Australia, Italy and Spain, with a United States version planned for release in 2024. On 30 September 2024, ITV announced that the show had been cancelled and will not return.
| The Real Full Monty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presented by | Ashley Banjo Coleen Nolan |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 6 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 15 June 2017 – 12 December 2023 |
Production
editIn 2017, ITV announced the commissioning of The Real Full Monty. A television special in which a group of male celebrities would be stripping to raise awareness for cancer and money for charity.[2] In 2018, the show aired a Ladies Night special.[3] The show has since aired one-off specials annually, with several of the episodes being themed around television shows including Dancing on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing.[4]
Series overview
editThe Real Full Monty (2017)
editThe first episode, titled The Real Full Monty aired on 15 June 2017 featuring eight male celebrities.[2]
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Alexander Armstrong | Actor & television presenter |
| Danny John-Jules | Stage & screen actor |
| Dominic Littlewood | Journalist & television presenter |
| Elliott Wright | The Only Way Is Essex star |
| Harry Judd | McFly drummer |
| Mark Foster | Former Olympic swimmer |
| Matthew Wolfenden | Emmerdale actor |
| Wayne Sleep | Dancer & choreographer |
The Real Full Monty and The Real Full Monty: Ladies' Night (2018)
editThe Real Full Monty and The Real Full Monty: Ladies' Night aired on 28 and 29 March 2018.[5][3]
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Ainsley Harriott | Chef & television presenter |
| Alexander Armstrong | Actor & television presenter |
| Coleen Nolan | Singer & Loose Women panellist |
| Helen Lederer | Actress & comedian |
| James "Arg" Argent | The Only Way Is Essex star |
| Jeff Brazier | Television presenter |
| John Hartson | Former Wales footballer & pundit |
| John Partridge | Former EastEnders actor |
| Megan McKenna | Television personality & singer |
| Michelle Heaton | Former Liberty X singer |
| Ruth Madoc | Hi-de-Hi! actress |
| Sally Dexter | Stage & screen actress |
| Sarah-Jane Crawford | Television & radio presenter |
| Tom Parker | The Wanted singer |
| Ugo Monye | Former England rugby player & pundit |
| Victoria Derbyshire | Journalist & television presenter |
The All New Monty: Who Bares Wins (2019)
editThe All New Monty: Who Bares Wins aired on 6 and 7 May 2019.[6][7][8]
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Coleen Nolan | Singer & Loose Women panellist |
| Crissy Rock | Benidorm actress & comedian |
| Danielle Armstrong | The Only Way Is Essex star |
| Gorka Márquez[a] | Strictly Come Dancing professional |
| Jack Fincham | Love Island winner |
| Jason Cundy | Former footballer |
| Joe Pasquale | Comedian |
| Kelvin Fletcher | Former Emmerdale actor & racing driver |
| Laurie Brett | Former EastEnders & Waterloo Road actress |
| Lisa Maffia | Former So Solid Crew singer |
| Martina Navratilova | Former tennis player |
| Matt Evers | Dancing on Ice professional |
| Megan Barton Hanson | Love Island finalist |
| Rav Wilding | Television presenter |
| Victoria Derbyshire | Journalist & television presenter |
| Willie Thorne | Former snooker player |
- ^ Márquez pulled out before the show due to an injury. He was replaced by Matt Evers.
The Real Full Monty on Ice (2020)
editThe Real Full Monty on Ice featured two specials aired on 14 and 15 December 2020, themed around Dancing on Ice.[9][1]
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Bob Champion | Former jump jockey |
| Chris Hughes | Love Island finalist |
| Gareth Thomas | Former Wales rugby player |
| Hayley Tamaddon | Former Emmerdale & Coronation Street actress |
| Jake Quickenden | Singer & reality television star |
| Jamie Lomas | Hollyoaks actor |
| Jenni Murray | Journalist & broadcaster |
| Linda Lusardi | Model & actress |
| Perri Kiely | Diversity dancer |
| Shaughna Phillips | Love Island contestant |
| Zoe Williams | Television doctor |
Strictly The Real Full Monty (2021)
editStrictly The Real Full Monty featured two specials aired on 13 and 14 December 2021, themed around Strictly Come Dancing.[10][11]
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Brenda Edwards | Singer & Loose Women panellist |
| Christine McGuinness | Model & The Real Housewives of Cheshire star |
| Colin Jackson | Former Olympic hurdler |
| Demi Jones | Love Island finalist |
| Duncan James | Blue singer & actor |
| James Jordan | Former Strictly Come Dancing professional |
| Laila Morse | Former EastEnders actress |
| Martin Roberts | Homes Under the Hammer presenter |
| Ola Jordan | Former Strictly Come Dancing professional |
| Teddy Soares | Love Island finalist |
The Real Full Monty: Jingle Balls (2023)
editThe Real Full Monty returned for a new series in December 2023. Coleen Nolan returned alongside Banjo to coach the celebrities.[12][13][14]
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Ashley Cain | Former footballer |
| Ben Cohen | Former England rugby player |
| Ella Vaday | Drag queen & RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalist |
| Gemma Collins | Media personality & businesswoman |
| Julia Bradbury | Television presenter |
| Paul Burrell | Former Royal Household butler & author |
| Pete Wicks | Former The Only Way Is Essex star |
| Sherrie Hewson | Actress & television personality |
| Vanessa Bauer | Dancing on Ice professional |
| Victoria Ekanoye | Former Coronation Street actress |
Reception
editThe Real Full Monty was ranked 3 out of 5 stars by Michael Hogan of the Daily Telegraph, who described the 2018 special as not being "the slickest production" adding that "hats fell off, red G-strings malfunctioned, and awkward pauses occurred". However noted that the special was "whole-hearted" and [struck] the right balance between worthy and entertaining".[15] Barbara Ellen of The Guardian described The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night as "brave", but argued that the message a female charity striptease [sent] out was "complicated and unhelpful".[16] The Real Full Monty on Ice was described as an "excellent cause" by Carol Midgley of The Times.[17]
International versions
editThe TV format created in the United Kingdom, was exported in four countries around the world.
| Country | Name | Host(s) | Network | Year aired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australia[18]
|
The Real Full Monty | Shane Jacobson | Seven Network | 2018–2020 |
 Italy[19][20]
|
Nudi per la vita | Mara Maionchi | Rai 2 | 2022 |
 Spain[21][22]
|
Desnudos por la vida | Jesús Vázquez | Telecinco | 2023 |
 United States[23]
|
The Real Full Monty | Anthony Anderson | Fox | 2024 |
Versions have also sold in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and other countries.
References
edit- ^ a b Anderton, Joe (19 October 2020). "The Real Full Monty returning for ice-skating special". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Meet the celebrities stripping off for The Real Full Monty". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Who are the women baring all for The Real Full Monty: Ladies' Night?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Strictly The Real Full Monty: Who is in the line-up?". Metro. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Meet the male celebrities stripping off for The Real Full Monty Live 2018". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Meet the male celebrities stripping off for The All New Monty 2019: Who Bares Wins". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Meet the female celebrities stripping off for The All New Monty Ladies Night 2019: Who Bares Wins". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The All New Monty: TV with a stink of tanning oil and waxed body parts". The Guardian. 4 May 2019. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The Real Full Monty on Ice Episode 1". Press Centre. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Strictly the Real Full Monty Episode 1". Press Centre.
- ^ "Meet the star-studded celebrity line-up for Strictly the Real Full Monty 2021". Radio Times.
- ^ "The Real Full Monty 2023 line up revealed for new special on ITV". TellyMix. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Real Full Monty 2023 cast revealed as Gemma Collins and Paul Burrell prepare to strip off". Daily Mirror. 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Coronation Street and Drag Race stars set to strip-off in The Real Full Monty". Digital Spy. 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The Real Full Monty: Live review: As much about male bonding, and health as the celebrity striptease". Daily Telegraph. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The female Full Monty was brave, but do women always have to strip?". The Guardian. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The Real Full Monty on Ice review — a most excellent cause, but think of the chafing". The Times. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The Real Full Monty' Heads To Australia's Seven Network After All3Media International Deal – Mip TV". 12 April 2018.
- ^ Gradi, Stefano (12 September 2022). ""Nudi per la vita": arriva lo show che insegna a stare bene".
- ^ "Nudi per la vita". RAI Ufficio Stampa.
- ^ Palenzuela, Fernando S. (4 September 2023). "Anabel Pantoja se atreverá con los striptease en 'Desnudos por la vida', consolidando su regreso a Telecinco". FormulaTV.
- ^ verTele, Redacción (7 September 2023). "Jesús Vázquez presentará 'Desnudos por la vida', el nuevo docureality con famosos que prepara Mediaset". Vertele.
- ^ White, Peter; Andreeva, Nellie (4 March 2024). "The Real Full Monty Celebrity Special Based On UK Format Ordered By Fox To Support Cancer Awareness". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 4 March 2024.