TV

Married at First Sight’s Cameron Merchant is stripping down for a very good cause

Get set to see a whole lot more than you bargained for.
Loading the player...

Married at First Sight Australia groom Cameron Merchant is set to bare all for a male nude calendar.

The reality TV star and former professional cricketer is getting his kit off for charity, agreeing to pose naked for the Manscapes calendar, supporting male mental health. He and his soon-to-be legal wife Jules Robinson made the announcement via Instagram.

“I’m with John (Bortolin) from Manscapes and he’s going to be snapping my gorgeous fiancé nude for his coming up calendar in October,” Jules revealed, adding they were “super excited” about the shoot.

“I’m trusting you John to not share to much of my man” she said, insisting she wanted to “keep some of him” to herself.

Manscapes is the same calendar fellow Married at First Sight groom Billy Vincent has appeared in – as a cover star no less. Billy’s days as a nude model were revealed on the show during an awkward home visit with his wife Susie Bradley.

Suzie’s introduction to Billy’s friend (and Manscapes founder) John Bortolin resulted in John presenting the calendar – and Billy in all of his naked glory – to Susie, much to her surprise.

John started the calendar as a “tribute to some of my friends who have lost their lives to suicide.” Going through that loss made him “more determined to make a change for men who suffer with mental health issues.” He describes the calendar as “a showcase of male nudes against beautiful Australian landscapes.”

“I do love showing a guy what others see through a picture,” he says. “A side they don’t see in themselves. Sometimes we all need a reminder of how fabulous we are.”

He says he’s looking forward to photographing Cam. “I have to say Jules and Cameron from MAFS are the most gorgeous couple,” he said. “I’m so excited… Can’t wait. Watch this space.”

Watch: MAFS’ Billy bares all for a naked calendar. Article continues below.

Loading the player...

This isn’t the first time Cam, 35, has stripped off for the cameras. Back in 2001 he was a finalist in the Cleo Bachelor of the Year competition and appeared oiled and shirtless in a photoshoot for the magazine.

“That shoot was a bit of fun and it really made me get my act together in the gym,” he revealed to Woman’s Day after the photos resurfaced. His new wife Jules was pretty impressed with the results too, marvelling at his “xylophone stomach,” describing it as “like an eight-pack!”

Despite being a pinup, Cam insists he didn’t play the field in those days as sport was his true love. “I was fulfilling my dreams as a cricketer, playing with Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, who are still good mates,” he explains.

Once his cricketing careet came to an end, however, Cam was faced with some difficult times, and it’s why the topic of mental health is so close to his heart these days.

Cam sizzled in a Cleo Bachelor of the Year shoot in 2011. Photo: Bauer Media

“I’d finished up my career and lost a big relationship, I didn’t know where my career was going to go, I didn’t have a relationship or my own family,” he revealed to OK magazine back in April.

He admits a lack of stability sent him into a downward spiral. “I would wake up and I couldn’t even put pants on. It was really tough,” the 35-year-old revealed.

“I had achieved everything in my life, but two of the things missing were a partner and a family, and chasing those two things were the things that allowed me to get out of bed.”

Thankfully Cam came through that difficult period, and these days he spends time mentoring young kids around mental health. And he has, of course, found love with Jules, and with that the possibility of starting a family.

The loved-up pair are in the thick of wedding planning at the moment. Like any good groom, Cam says he’s leaving all the important decisions down to his bride. “I just say ‘Yes!’ Did I mention that this is what makes the relationship so successful?!”

And as for their much longed-for family, “I need to get my skates on,” Jules says. “I’m hoping for twins so we can just get it done.”

Related stories