Take Me Out hopeful enlists Ken Dodd’s tickling sticks to find romance

A romeo Scot is hoping Ken Dodd’s famous tickling sticks will win him a dream TV date.

Gregor Gillespie is starring in Take Me Out’s 10th Anniversary Special.

Gregor, from West Lothian, will brandish his feathered tickling sticks at host Paddy McGuinness on Saturday night’s celebrity episode of the dating game show.

The showbiz agent revealed how he had producers in stitches after using feather dusters – given to him by Ken Dodd – on celebrity guests.

The special show celebrates the 10th series of ITV’s Take Me Out, which was first shown in 2010.

Instead of the usual format, which sees 30 women try to win a date with one man, 30 men will try to woo two celebrities.

The Only Way Is Essex’s Chloe Sims and Olympic athlete Claudia Fragapane will step out of the Love Lift.

“I had such a great time on the programme,” said Gregor, 27.

“Paddy singled me out and we shared a lot of banter, which the audience seemed to love.

“He kept coming back to me. I’m over the moon to be the only boy in Take Me Out history that has appeared on the first series and first boys’ special.”

Gregor featured in the first series of Take Me Out – when boys were contestants – and was selected by producers to be one of 30 returning participants.

His fellow contestants have all featured on the show over the past 10 series.

“Afterwards a producer told me it was the best episode of Take Me Out they’ve ever done,” said Gregor.

“I was a bit worried about what I’d do with my hands when I was on the podium.

“I’m used to holding a microphone, so I brought along my tickling sticks so I’d have something to hold.

“I met Ken Dodd a while ago and he’s the nicest man. He gave me a couple of his tickling sticks,” he explained.

“The plan was I’d get rid of them before the show started but a producer said I should keep them.

“I enjoyed using the tickling sticks on the show, it helped form my character on the night.

“Doddy was in the papers last month as he wasn’t very well. I can’t tell you if I was picked as that would ruin the show – but I hope he’s watching!”

Producers kept the fact it was a celebrity special under wraps – but Gregor had no idea who the famous guests were.

“Apparently it said in Chloe Sims’ video that she was from Essex but to be honest I never took it in,” said Gregor. “I was too busy to take anything in.

“The biggest surprise of the night was when I took a ‘Beefy Orange’, which is an orange segment sprinkled with a beef stock cube.

“I was sick at the back of the set but I don’t think they’ll show that.

“I’m just so proud to be representing Scotland on national TV.”