The King’s former butler has swapped a palace for a stint in the Big Brother house and he’s hoping he will come away with the crown and the £100,000 cash prize.
Nathan King, from Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, was just 17 when he landed the position of royal butler at Dumfries House in Ayrshire – one of King Charles’s favourite estates.
The 24-year-old, who served the monarch for several years, is now a pork salesman and was one of 16 contestants who entered the Big Brother house on Sunday night.
Nathan, who crossed paths with high-profile guests, including the President of Ireland, broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh and Queen Camilla during his time at Dumfries House, is hoping his royal connection will make him a viewer favourite and says if he wins he will spend the money on a new set of teeth.
Nathan, a former Wallace Hall Academy pupil, said: “I think the fact I was Prince Charles’s butler will definitely surprise people. He hosts a lot of different dinners with guests such as the President of Ireland, Alan Titchmarsh and I would look after him and if Camilla was there as well I would look after her too.”
The ex-butler, who was introduced to the public during the live launch by Big Brother hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best, admits he has a strong character which might divide public opinion.
Nathan, who is the only Scottish contestant on this year’s show, said: “People’s first impression of me – they might think I’m a bit stuck up, slightly in love with myself, which is not all wrong.
“I think I am different to other people my age. I listen to Radio 2, I read an old-fashioned newspaper and I vote Tory. I think that’s different, but good. Politically I am definitely on the right side of centre and strangely admire Nigel Farage.”
Nathan, who is following in the footsteps of last year’s Scottish runner-up Olivia Young, from Glasgow, is hoping he has what it takes to go all the way.
He said: “I’ll bring a lot of enthusiasm and fun. I will bring a lot of opinions. I like to have a spirited debate. I’m quite a strong character.
“If I think something’s wrong, I’ll call it out as being wrong – I’m not afraid to do that. I think most importantly I’ll bring a lot of fun. I’m going in to enjoy the experience and have a good time.
“I applied purely for the experience. I like to do new things, and like to try and push myself, and wanted to have an experience like no other.”
Nathan added: “I’m quite vain. I got composite bonding on my teeth last year. And they stain – I love a glass of red wine so if I do win I would get a new set of veneers so I could enjoy a glass of red wine again – I’d like to get back to that.”
The former royal servant, whose housemates include a young amputee footballer and a 53-year-old aesthetics practitioner, has been looking forward to his time in the BB house.
He said: “I am excited to be a housemate for so many reasons but to narrow it down I thought living in a house with other people would be so different. I’m looking forward to that because that’s slightly out of my comfort zone. To be in a house with that many people will be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it. If I could pick a dream celebrity housemate it would be George Michael. He would be the number 1. In terms of singing and the absolute best. I think he’d be a real laugh.”
He added: “I don’t have a strategy for getting to the final. I don’t think you can because there’s no set formula. It’s not like the X Factor where the best singer wins.
If you look back at past winners, there’s no common theme. I’m just going to go in, be myself – if people like me, happy days. If they don’t and boot me out in the first week then so be it.
“I am most likely to get nominated for accidentally offending someone – someone taking something I’ve said the wrong way. Not a terrible offence, but if someone takes something I said the wrong way.”
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.