28 reality TV stars from Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg
From ‘married’ villains and eligible singles, to weight loss hopefuls and superstars of the stage, meet the reality TV stars who grew up in the Wide Bay or live and work here now.
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Love it or hate it, reality television is one of the most popular genres of the Australian small screen, dominating prime time viewing for many individuals and families.
From farmers looking for romance to singers hoping to catch their big break and budding chefs cooking up a storm, we love to watch real people on the tele.
Here’s a list of some of the Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg locals who made their way into our living rooms.
This list is in no particular order and not exhaustive.
Erin Dore
The most recent star to grace our small screens, Gympie flower farmer Erin Dore has made a splash on the most recent season of Channel Seven’s Farmer Wants a Wife.
Erin Dore, 32, is the owner of Petal Head Farm & Florist, a popular business on Gympie’s Southside.
Erin is vying for the love of Farmer Benjamin, a sheep grazier from Guyra in New South Wales.
She cited her reason for applying for the show as a man-drought in Gympie.
“There’s a supply issue for eligible men in Gympie,” Erin said.
“I haven’t met an age-appropriate single man in a year.”
Andrew Wong
Bundaberg native Andrew Wong is no stranger to the small screen, having appeared on a number of reality TV talent competitions.
He first competed on the 2010 season of Australia’s Got Talent, where despite his ninja efforts he was ultimately eliminated.
The season was later won by international superstars Justice Crew.
A major Star Wars fan, Andrew is best remembered for his performance ‘Sith vs. Jedi’, where he dazzled audiences with lightsaber skills and fast costume changes.
Andrew returned to our screens just weeks later, appearing on The X Factor to showcase his opera skills.
Artie Rocke
The earliest star on our list, Hervey Bay’s Artie Rocke was a popular character on Australia’s first season of The Biggest Loser.
He lost a total of 40kg on the show, before ultimately placing eighth.
A self-proclaimed “CEO of making people happy,” Artie is best remembered for his flamboyant personality and cheerful persona.
Artie still lives in Hervey Bay.
Caitlyn Shadbolt
Award-winning Gympie songbird Caitlyn Shadbolt got her start on the 2014 season of The X Factor when she was just 18 years old.
The country singer was introduced to audiences with an energetic rendition of Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts.
Ronan Keating was a fan, saying to Caitlin that she could be the “next big thing”.
From there, she ended up placing fifth on the season.
She recently dazzled crowds at the 2022 Gympie Music Muster.
Bryce Ruthven
While Bryce Ruthven was no longer a Bundaberg local by the time he appeared on Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight, he is still a familiar face (or voice) around the area.
After a two-year stint as a radio DJ at Hitz939, Bryce returned to his hometown of Sydney in early 2017.
On the 2020 season of MAFS, Bryce was not a popular character. In fact, fans of the show were quick to proclaimed him a “villain”.
Despite his controversial appearance, Bryce has remained with partner Melissa, and the pair now are parents of two young twin boys.
Kristy Sellars
An international reality TV superstar, Hervey Bay mum Kristy Sellars won the 2019 season of Australia’s Got Talent.
She amazed audiences with her phenomenal pole-dancing performances, ultimately taking home the $100,000 prize money and fan vote.
Kristy is also the founder of Physipole Studios, a popular Australia-wide franchise.
This year, Kristy once again graced small screens, this time placing runner-up on America’s Got Talent.
Kristy now lives in Black Hill, Victoria.
Jayden Evans
Gympie’s Jayden Evans was a popular character when he appeared on the 2021 season ofLove on the Spectrum at age 22.
Best remembered for his unique sense of humour and candid honesty, Jayden appeared on the show at the recommendation of a colleague.
A passionate creative, Jayden often features in local theatre productions and is an aerial performer.
He also has a keen interest in weightlifting.
Jayden continues to live in the Gympie region and regularly volunteers his time for a variety of causes and is often spotted at local community events.
Dan & Steph Mulheron
Hervey Bay couple Dan and Steph Mulheron captured the hearts and stomachs of Australia when they won the fourth season of My Kitchen Rules.
The pair was inspired to compete to fund IVF treatment, culminating in the birth of their daughter Emmy in 2015.
Dan and Steph are now the proud owners of EAT at Dan & Steph’s on the Hervey Bay Esplanade.
They have also written a number of cookbooks.
Recently, the couple have also filmed their own cooking show, which is available to watch on Seven Plus.
Justin Standley
With his rendition of Elton John’s Rocket Man, Bundaberg country singer Justin Standley’s career was launched into the stratosphere.
Under the mentorship of Guy Sebastian, Justin impressedX Factor audiences when he appeared on the show’s fourth season.
Justin is most remembered for his heartwarming reason for competing – reconnecting with his estranged children.
“I know this is crazy,” he said on the show.
“I thought if I got over my nerves and my shyness and sang, then perhaps they would see me on TV and feel proud of their Dad.”
He ultimately placed 10th – and reconnected with his kids within hours of appearing.
Sadly, Justin retired from the music industry in 2014.
Sean Hollands
Sean Hollands appeared on the 2017 season of Married At First Sight, where he was paired with Susan Rawlings.
The pair ultimately went their separate ways, with Rawlings citing opposing views on animal welfare.
Despite not finding his true love on the show, Sean is now happily married to wife Roslyn Buerckner. The pair have a child together.
Sean remains an active member of the Maryborough community.
Lachlan Cosgrove
Maryborough local Lachlan Cosgrove has gone from strength to strength since winning Season Three of Beauty and the Geek in 2011.
A self proclaimed “content make-er-up-er-er”, Lachlan claims to be “making YouTube videos weekly and disappointing [his] parents daily!”
In 2011, he even released a single titled Hot Girls.
The social media influencer has had several radio stints in Maryborough since appearing on the show.
He was also school captain at Maryborough State High School in 2006.
Quatro
Amity Brand, Vanessa Smith, Claudia Vogel and Radha Shukla make up the talented Bundaberg string quartet Quatro.
The group appeared on the short-lived 2012 revival of Young Talent Time, a show famous for launching the careers of superstars Tina Arena and Dannii Minogue.
The four young women continued to perform around the Bundaberg region for years after the show.
Quatro’s Facebook page has been inactive since August 2019.
Emma & Steven Dilliway
Maryborough’s Emma and Steven Dilliway were not happy with how Channel Seven portrayed their special day on Australia’s Cheapest Weddings.
When a clip of Emma singing a Celine Dion song was used in all the promotional ads and went viral online, she told the Fraser Coast Chronicle in 2016 she was too embarrassed to leave the house.
“They have taken a tiny bit of the day that just makes Steven and I’s wedding look really, really bad,” she said.
“They turned our special day into a joke.”
One of the more short-lived shows to grace this list, Australia’s Cheapest Weddings only aired six episodes in 2016.
Adam Cross, Andrew Badger & Jessica Post
A very fit Gympie trio starred on the debut season of Australian Spartan, a Wipeout-style obstacle course featuring dry and wet elements.
The team consisted of Adam Cross, a Gympie athlete, and former gymnasts Andrew Badger and Jessica Post.
Team ‘Two Badgers One Anchor’ ultimately made it to the show’s semi-final round before being eliminated after a mistimed jump across a water section.
In an interview with the Gympie Times after their elimination, Adam said he had no regrets.
“It was like nothing I’ve ever done before,” he said.
“The experience itself was unreal.”
Josh & Brandon Jarius
Maryborough brothers Josh and Brandon Jarius are best remembered for their friendly spirit while competing on the 2018 season of House Rules.
The two carpenters set an interesting record, with their renovated house featuring the first swimming pool ever built on the show.
While the brothers do not consider themselves competitive, they are not opposed to appearing on TV again.
“We obviously love being outdoors camping and fishing, all that sort of stuff. A TV show like Creek To Coast or The Great Southeast would be pretty awesome to get a gig with,” Josh said.
Ruby Mills
Another Bundaberg singer, Ruby Mills made it to the Top 13 ofThe X Factor in 2016.
The jazz, blues and soul singer was described by international superstar Iggy Azalea as “sassy” after her rousing rendition of Paloma Faith‘s Can’t Rely On You.
Since the show, Ruby’s singing career has only grown.
She recently sold out a Brisbane show covering Etta James’ greatest hits.
Mitch Gould
Hervey Bay pub security guard Mitch Gould appeared on The Bachelorette in 2019.
He is best remembered for his bold ultimatum offered to bachelorette Angie Kent.
“All I’m gonna say is, if you can’t see me being there at the end of this. I don’t want you to give me a rose tonight,” Mitch said.
Mitch still lives in Hervey Bay and is also a talented photographer.
Natasha Exelby
While not technically a Bundaberg local, the next entry on our list has spent her fair share of time in the Rum City.
Former ABC newsreader and breakfast host Natasha Exelby competed on the 2019 season of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
The popular journalist, most famous for an on-air blooper in April 2017, had her start at Channel Seven in Bundaberg.
She placed 7th on the show out of 14 celebrity contestants.
Jimmy Downey
Another international reality TV show, Gympie footballer Jimmy Downey appeared on an episode of American HGTV show House Hunters International.
The episode documented the sportsman’s move to Rainbow Beach.
Director and producer Anita Poteri told the Gympie Times in 2020 she would love to feature the region again.
“I have done two episodes in the region but they have both been at Rainbow Beach and I would love to do one in Gympie,” she said.
Nathan Hoad
Hervey Bay native Nathan Hoad only had a brief stint on the 2012 season of Beauty and the Geek, but he made a big splash.
The former Urangan State High School student was revealed as the “secret millionaire”, as part of a classic reality TV twist.
He was eliminated shortly after his reveal.
Nathan is now developing an indie video game about his cat.
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