Football player, bachelor, and BookToker, Luke Bateman is heading into the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here jungle. But can this cute country boy win without his “dick togs”?
DNA: What enticed you into “the jungle”?
Luke Bateman: When someone offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not many people get, the answer is always yes. I’d rather regret doing it than not doing it.
Is there a challenge you’re very wary of?
I have legitimate concerns about the food. I’m a big bloke, and I don’t go well without a feed. I’ll be struggling with limited calories so I aim to win as many challenges as I can!
You were on The Bachelor. What was that experience like?
Fulfilling… also challenging; having to show up every day as the best version of myself. I was basically dating different women each day, and sometimes I lacked energy, but I had a responsibility to give them the best of myself. Being asked to talk about my feelings every day for three weeks was mentally challenging. There were times when I thought, “I’m sick of doing this!”
Tell us about the BookTok experience and your new career as a novelist.
It’s a testament to living one’s truth. It’s like the universe rewards when the alignment is right. Not only do I have a writing deal, but I’ve also finished my first book. I handed it in six weeks ago! It’s high fantasy, and I’m hoping it will be released at the end of the year.
You also work as a lumberjack!
I wouldn’t refer to myself as a lumberjack. It’s more pine-cutter. The media likes “lumberjack” because it’s sexier.
Do you realise you tick off a lot of gay male fantasies: writer, bachelor, rugby player, lumberjack…
[Laughs] Mate, I only need to look at my DMs every day to know that!
Do you have gay mates or family members?
Yes, my cousin is gay. I have a gay bloke working for me, and then there’s my manager, who’s one of my best friends.
How do you feel about footballers such as Ian Roberts, Josh Cavallo and Mitch Brown coming out?
It’s sensational, and what bravery it must take. I know what those sporting cultures are like. The homophobia is embedded in their DNA. The courage those men have shown is important to others in similar positions. It gives them permission to be themselves and a path to follow. Those trailblazers make it easier for the next generation of men to feel comfortable in their own skin.
What did you think about Mitch coming out as bisexual?
Mitch could easily have said nothing. He’s retired and could have moved on with his life, but he took on the responsibility. He saw a thicket in front of him and wanted to map it out for others to follow – it’s purely selfless.
If you were gay, who would be your crush?
The author Matthew Reilly has been a hero of mine for a long time. I have a podcast on called In The Good Books, and I’ve had him on as a guest. He’s a good-looking man, so he’d be a crush. I’ll also say, Austin Butler, who played Elvis. If I were gay, I’d be in his DMs!
Is there a song that always gets you out on the dancefloor?
Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield. Whenever it comes on, I’m straight to the dancefloor.
That’s not a song that’s played on many dancefloors!
As a kid, my mum and dad played it all the time. I’ve loved that song for quite a while.
Who’s your favourite songstress?
All I listen to is country music but about a week ago Pink began following me on Instagram so I’ll say her. I like her songs. My favourite is So What.
What about a male singer or band?
My old man played country music all the time, artists like Garth Brooks, Randy Travis and Brad Paisley. But I’m currently big on Muscadine Bloodline. They’ve released a new album called Longleaf Lo-Fi and I have the song Goose Chase on repeat.
You’ve spoken about overcoming gambling addiction. What’s your advice to anyone in that situation?
When you’re in that bad place, you can feel like you’re letting people down. I say, imagine you are talking to a ten-year-old version of yourself and tell them you’re going to do this for both of you. When I was going through my addiction, I caused pain to the people around me, and I focused on the fact that I needed to stop hurting them. I had to give myself the power and permission to get over it. There’s no point in doing it for other people if you’re not doing it for yourself first. The best way to do it for yourself is to do it for ten-year-old you.
Do you have a favourite quote?
It’s from As A Man Thinketh, by James Allen in 1903: “Cherish your visions. Cherish your ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts. For out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment, of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.”
Do you have a grooming tip?
I work with dust and grime every day, so I always triple-exfoliate after a shower to remove grease and dirt from my pores.
Have you had a memorable wardrobe malfunction?
Once, at a wedding, I dropped too low on the dance floor, ripping open the seam of my pants. The rest of the night I walked around in semi-arseless chaps! Luckily, I had underwear on. I didn’t care too much.
Briefs, boxers or freeballing?
I’m a fitted boxers man.
Swim briefs, boardshorts or butt-naked?
Briefs. But I brought some boardshorts for the jungle, because I wasn’t sure about wearing dick togs on national television.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is on Network 10 and 10 Play.
In The Good Books podcast: 9now.com.au
Follow Luke on Instagram @lukebateman_ and TikTok @lukereads
Photography: Austin Butler by Fred Duval/Shutterstock.
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