I starred on E4’s biggest reality show and Celebs Go Dating – 10 years on I’ve shunned fame to live out my dream
HOW did the bubbly receptionist from the iconic show Tattoo Fixers become a West End star?
Paisley Billings, 31, appeared in all six seasons of the hit E4 reality show about botched tattoos which ran from 2015 to 2019.
Since then, she swapped the screen for the stage as she took on the London West End starring in Six and the new Percy Jackson musical, The Lightning Thief.
She told the Metro: “I feel like if I’m on a stage, I’m living the dream. I feel like it wasn’t really known that I was always an actor.
“While I was [on Tattoo Fixers] I wasn’t acting at all. I think that’s what may have caused a little bit of confusion. I was a receptionist on TV, but I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about receptioning.”
But Paisley is no stranger to theatre as she appeared as young Nala in The Lion King when she was around 10 years old.
She is also a trained dancer, following extensive lessons in street and contemporary.
Despite now living her dream, Paisley admitted that Tattoo Fixers ending was very “bittersweet”.
She revealed: “I’d been doing it for such a long time and I really missed performing but it was also really, really sad to leave it behind.
“Obviously, Sketch and I being in it from the very beginning, we were pretty much like family by the end of it.
“So that was difficult, saying goodbye to the people, but I think it came at a time where I was ready for something new.”
Paisley also appeared on series one of Celebs Go Dating back in 2017.
She joined celebrities including Charlotte Crosby and Joey Essex on a popular E4 show.
The self-confessed “dating virgin” did manage to bag some dates, but fans were left in tears when she was dumped on the show.
After falling for handsome Corey, she couldn’t hold back tears when she was told that he didn’t want to have a second date with her.
Speaking about her dates in the future, Paisley told The Sun online that she definitely didn’t want anyone with a “s*** tattoo”.
Where stars of Celebs Go Dating are now?
Celebs Go Dating premiered in 2016 and has since aired a whopping twelve series of the show and has helped almost 50 famous faces try and find love.
Whilst many didn’t find their forever partner on the programme, many of the show’s biggest names have nonetheless managed to settle down of their own accord.
- Charlotte Crosby (series 1 – 2016) – The show’s first big signee was Charlotte who was fresh from quitting Geordie Shore and splitting with on-off love Gaz Beadle. On the show, she enjoyed dates with a stripper named Jeavon and MAFS hunk Brad Skelly –years before he took part in the E4 marriage programme. These days, the reality megastar has found love with businessman Jake Ankers and the pair share daughter Alba Jean together. Having got engaged in Dubai last year, with the proposal filmed for her BBC series Charlotte in Sunderland, the TV couple are now planning a wedding of their dreams as well as hoping for more children.
- Ferne McCann (series 2 – 2017) – Ferne was fresh out of the I’m A Celebrity jungle when she joined the Celebrity Dating Agency. Although the TOWIE beauty failed to find lasting love on the programme, she soon became a mother to baby Sunday with her jailed ex, Arthur Collins. These days she is happily with her fiance Lorri Haines and the couple even have their own child together, Finty.
- Jorgie Porter (series 2 – 2017) – Like Ferne, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie was snapped up for the show after a stint Down Under. She is now a mum-of-one to baby Forest and has recently given fans a peek into motherhood and her home life with fiance Ollie for the very first time on ITV reality series, Drama Queens.
- Charlotte Dawson (series 3 – 2017) – Charlotte was all up for a laugh when she headed to the Agency after making a reputation for herself as a wild party animal. During her time on the programme, she enjoyed a sordid forbidden romance with fellow celeb, The X Factor star Frankie Coccozza which quickly fizzled out. Now the star is a mum to two boys, Noah and Jude, with her rugby ace partner, Matt Sarsfield.
- Kerry Katona (series 6 – 2019) – Whilst often known for being unlucky in love, Kerry attempted to find the one with a turn on CGD. With three failed marriages and five children under her belt, Kerry treated the programme as a last-chance saloon. Whilst romance did not blossom, she used the agent’s advice with her next partner, fiance Ryan Mahoney whom she met shortly after the series wrapped. Kerry and Ryan are still happily together to this day and live in her stunning Cheshire abode.
- Alison Hammond (series 8 – 2020) – This Morning legend Alison took part in the programme in 2020 after admitting to longing for a partner. Although she enjoyed a slew of successful dates, nothing appeared to last. However, The Sun revealed earlier this month how the TV presenter had managed to win the heart of a Russian toyboy, David Putman.
- Laura Anderson and Gary Lucy (series 11 – 2022) – Love Island star Laura and Hollyoaks actor Gary ended up dating one another after both signing up for the show’s eleventh series. They went on to have a daughter together, Bonnie, but their romance has been on-off with the pair even being separated during Laura’s pregnancy. Although it looked as though the romance had gotten back on track, things appear to have cooled once again in recent weeks.
- Vanessa Feltz (series 12 – 2023) – Vanessa signed up for the show in the wake of her highly-publicised split from her ex, Ben Ofeudo. Vanessa left E4 fans shocked when she was criticised for her rude demeanour on dates and was called out by the show’s agents for her behaviour with the gentleman she was paired up with on the show. Vanessa is still believed to be single almost a year on from the show.
- Adam Collard (series 12 – 2023) – The Love Island bad boy caused tension on the show after he hooked up with fashion model and OnlyFans creator Lottie Moss during filming but later confirmed he wanted nothing more with Kate Moss’ little sis. These days, he is loved up with sports broadcaster Laura Woods with the couple regularly putting on the PDA when out in public.
Paisley can be now be seen in theatre show The Lightning Thief where she plays seven different characters.
It runs at The Other Palace in London and has been extended until August.
However, she hasn’t said goodbye to TV completely as she said: “If there’s a world in which there could be a musical comedy, or talk show vibes that would be quite fun.”
She teased: “Maybe a documentary here and there.”