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Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joshua Knapman

Naked Beach's Ayesha Perry-Iqbal - the Welsh host of Channel 4's new show

A new show that tackles body confidence kicked off last week and the programme's hosts are totally The Naked Bike Ride is coming back to Cardiff .

One of the hosts to get their kit off on Channel 4's Naked Beach is 28-year-old Welsh woman Ayesha Perry-Iqbal.

Ayesha, from Newport , is a make-up artist who splits her time between the UK and LA.

She moved to the States seven years ago to pursue her career - Ayesha is a plus-size model and body positive/women empowerment activist.

"When I became a plus size model, it gave me a platform to be able to start talking about body image and self-love through social media," said Ayesha.

"It built me a solid following and gave me opportunities to work with other brands and organizations to spread a positive message about what I believe in. I was then approached by one of the producers at channel 4 to be apart of this amazing show."

What is Naked Beach?

The 'hosts' of Naked Beach (Channel 4/Barefaced TV)

On the show, three people who hate their bodies spend 24 hours a day at a luxury retreat in Greece, around naked people who love theirs, like Aeysha.

Each week the three body-conscious guests face their fears and strip off layer by layer - before getting totally naked on a beach.

The idea is that people who spend time around naked people of all shapes and sizes, should change the way they feel about themselves.

There are eight hosts, including Wales' Ayesha, who all hang around the luxury villa totally starkers.

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Ayesha is one of the show's hosts and it's her job to help the participants feel comfortable with their bodies (Channel 4/Barefaced TV)

At first the hosts have their bodies painted.

In the first episode, which aired last week, Ayesha explained to the participants: "Over the next week, you're going to be surrounded by all of our - completely normal - bodies."

"We want all three of you to get completely naked with us on Naked Beach."

The Naked Bike Ride is coming back to Cardiff  

Getting naked on TV

It's probably the stuff of nightmares for some people, but how did Ayesha feel about getting naked on TV?

She said: "Honestly, I’m really confident with my body, being naked wasn’t really an issue for me, especially because I believed in the show and the positive impact it would bring to the nation.

"I have never been part of a show like this before and I’m so excited to get this opportunity - but I am definitely not new to promoting a healthy body image."

Ayesha said the show is rewarding (Channel 4/Barefaced TV)

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She's also happy to know she's helping people overcome a deeply personal issue.

"It’s the best feeling in the world," said Ayesha.

"It was so heartwarming before the show, when I received - and still receive - uplifting messages on my social media. But now, being able to personally help people through their journeys step by step is even more rewarding.

"I can’t tell you how good it feels to see the positive impact taking place."

Watch Naked Beach   on Thursdays at 8pm on Channel 4.

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