Comedian Paddy McGuinness has shared his experience of developing a skin condition while filming the show Tempting Fortune in Malaysia.
The 51-year-old travelled to Asia for the series, which challenges 12 strangers to trek through Langkawi with the chance to win £300,000. However, the prize money decreases if contestants give in to temptations like a cold beer.
Speaking on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, Paddy disclosed that during "a bit of downtime" from filming, he enjoyed sunbathing, which led to the discovery of "white patches" on his skin.
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He described how he noticed the condition: "Because I were there and I had a bit of downtime between the challenges, I'd have my shirt off and I were like a lizard. Wherever there were sun, I were lay in it, and I get this condition."
Paddy went on to explain the unusual treatment required: "We've all got this in us, but it's this thing in your skin where you get little white patches all over yourself, and to get rid of it, you've got to get fungal foot cream from the chemist and that's not a good look.
"It was on my back. I've still got little bits of it somewhere on me, but it's one of those things that's not contagious but takes forever to get rid of, so I've not been out in the sun for a while until it goes and then I'll be back at it."
The NHS website explains that white patches on the back could indicate pityriasis versicolor, treatable with antifungal cream or shampoo. The health service notes: "It can take a few months for the skin to return to its usual colour after treatment and the patches can come back."
While the cause of these patches remains a mystery, the NHS advises anyone worried about their skin to see their GP, reports Surrey Live.
Paddy McGuinness described his new show, Tempting Fortune, as a unique "social experiment" Adding intrigue, he explained: "The conceit of it all is they're playing collectively, for £300,000, but along the journey so they're out and about, camping, roughing it, they're doing challenges etc. Every now and again, they get offered a temptation."
Unveiling the catch, he detailed: "You know, the temptation comes at a price, so let's just say it's that glass of beer there, you're red hot. And we go, well, you can have a nice cold beer, but if you have that beer, it's going to be two grand, which, if anyone's listening to this in London's probably seems reasonable, but, and then that goes off the prize money."
Then, likening the game to real life, Paddy reflected: "It's kind of a bit like a social experiment, because in life, most people, some people squirrel everything away and save for a rainy day, and other people live in the moment. You've got to sort of put up with them, I know, try your best to placate them and persuade them not to take any temptations. But that is the beauty show, and that's pretty much like life."
Catch the next episode of Tempting Fortune at 9pm this Sunday on Channel 4.
