A MAN from Rhyl is to star on a new dating show on BBC Three.

Josh Cem, 24, is one of 10 contestants taking part in “I Kissed a Boy”, hosted by Dannii Minogue and, the BBC says, “the UK’s first gay male dating show”.

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An optical consultant working at Rhyl’s Specsavers store, Josh travelled to a farmhouse in Puglia, southern Italy last September for the show’s filming.

The first of eight episodes will air at 9pm on BBC Three on Sunday, May 14.

It will also see Josh, who had never kissed another male before the programme and grew up in a Mormon family, publicly come out as gay for the first time.

Rhyl Journal: Josh and his fellow I Kissed a Boy contestantsJosh and his fellow I Kissed a Boy contestants (Image: Josh Cem)

He said: “I got scouted on social media – one of the producers just messaged me, telling me a bit about the show.

“There was a really long casting process, with a lot of trips back and forth from Rhyl to London, but I ended up getting on it in the end!

“It’s 10 guys and five pairs – essentially, the idea is that they match you with your perfect type.”

The 10 contestants enter the farmhouse in pairs, and start their journeys on the show with a kiss, before they decide whether or not to stay in their current partnerships.

A new episode of the series will air at 9pm on BBC Three every Sunday and Monday from May 14.

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Josh will also be attending a viewing party and launch event at Lola’s Bar, Prestatyn on the day that the first episode is screened.

This follows a full cast event which he is also attending in Liverpool on May 10.

He added: “One of the reasons why I think they picked me for the show is because my story is a lot different to everyone else’s.

“My family knew I was gay beforehand, but I only just came out publicly when I was on the show. There’s a lot of focus on me in particular, because I hadn’t done anything with anyone before.

“It was good fun, and a mad experience. Dannii Minogue is unreal in person; she’s so professional. She’s very involved in it; she’s like a matchmaker, and kind of the head of the whole show.

“We did a lot of challenges and games, and I’ve come away from it with a lot more gay friends; I didn’t know any gay people prior.”

You can also watch “I Kissed a Boy” on BBC iPlayer from May 14.