I’m A Celebrity’s Kiosk Kev has unlikely career outside show

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is back - and not only is it back on our screens, but the camp is back in its original Aussie Outback setting.

As you may remember, I’m A Celeb moved to the decidedly less warm Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the past two years due to travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

But with restrictions lifted we’re back Down Under and Kiosk Kev is back on our screens.

The bearded shopkeeper is a hit with fans, despite the fact he never speaks, taking over at the Outback Shack following the sacking of Kiosk Keith in 2018.

And when he’s not silently serving celebs from his shack, Kiosk Kev - whose real name is Mark Herlaar - runs an online kombucha business.

For those unaware, kombucha is a kind of fermented tea that is said to bring a host of health benefits.

Kiosk Kev’s company is called Manifest Kombucha and in a recent interview with the Sun, he explained how it came to be.

ITV

He said: “Coronavirus was actually an opportunity wrapped in the cloak of disaster.

“After losing around 150 tonnes of fruit due to club and pub shut downs, as they were the largest uses of our limes, it made us stop and think: ‘What is the most valuable resource on this farm other than ourselves?’ The answer: Water!”

He continued: “We have been making kombucha as a family for more than 20 years and decided kombucha would add far greater value to the water.

“So, we constructed a purpose-built kitchen, obtained a food licence and started to produce 'Manifest Kombucha'.”

Prior to Kiosk Kev, the show featured Kiosk Keith - played by Raymond Grant - on screen from 2013 until he was replaced in 2018.

ITV

Although he appeared on screen from 2013, Grant had actually been a crew member since 2002.

ITV didn’t reveal why Kiosk Keith had been let go from the show, but in a statement at the time said: “Ray is no longer under contract on the show. There are no plans for him to return this year.”

For the past two years, while the show was filmed in Wales, Kiosk Cledwyn was the man in charge at Ye Olde Shoppe.

In a post on Instagram back in 2020, Kiosk Kev/Mark said: "Well normally this time of year I'm playing the roll of Kiosk Kev for @imacelebrity UK series. But due to Covid-19 it's being filmed in Wales and so I'm taking a holiday from slamming shutters on celebrities or offering treats.

"This year I'm kicking back and my cousin Kiosk Celdwyn is taking my place in the ye olde shoppe am sure he will do it justice and be more than a happy chap. Well probably not. Anyway enjoy Kiosk Celdwyn. And don't forget to eat well."