After a gag-inducing diet of raw fish eyes and kangaroo testicles in the jungle, Ashley Roberts was more than ready to enjoy her first meal on the outside.
Yet the Pussycat Doll turned Heart FM Radio host wasn’t prepared for how “orgasmic” it would feel – and she developed a renewed appreciation for food after her ordeal.
In an exclusive interview with the Express, she confessed: “Honestly, you miss your family in the jungle but really, it’s the fantasy of food that happens in there that drives you nuts!
“I ate camel penis, I ate raw fish eyes… [and after leaving the jungle], food was just orgasmic after that. My first hot shower was like an orgasm, too.”
Appearing on the show back in 2012 might have been a monumental challenge, but it also “changed her life”, as her success marked the moment that made her realise she wanted to move to the UK. When here, the Arizona-born dancer had to adjust to painfully cold winters which left her hugging heat lamps – and, of course, the smaller portion sizes that are typical in Britain.
However, she’s now the face of a campaign with food chain Frankie & Benny’s, which is all about filling plates with huge American-style portions that give her a taste of home. “I like my food a certain way. Frankie & Benny’s have all the flavours, all the seasonings – you didn’t have any of that in the jungle,” she quipped.
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Ashley Roberts in a Frankie & Benny’s diner in London (Image: FRANKIE & BENNY’S)
“There was no sauce to put on your spaghetti. There, you were getting alligator foot and kangaroo testicles… but coming out the other end of that, I felt really empowered and I moved countries.
“It was a big shift for me and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Years on from her big move, it’s time for a slice of nostalgia at Frankie and Benny’s – an American diner style chain with a New York meets little Italy feel, where the chefs cook in an open kitchen.
Digging into the hearty brunch portions at one of the chain’s London branches, she confessed: “As an American who loves her food, it’s gotta be about the generous portions!
Don’t miss… [CONFESSION]
Ashley Roberts tucking into her food (Image: FRANKIE & BENNY’S)
“I’ve had some of the best meals of my life in NYC, so when Frankie & Benny’s launched their ‘best ever New York Italian inspired brunch menu, I thought: ‘Hell yeah, I’d like a big plate of that!'”
Embracing larger portions has also been a feminist decision for her, after acknowledging that there was a stigma attached to women tucking into huge plates, and a belief among some that large portions were limited to men.
“Growing up in the world of dance, there maybe was more self awareness with the outfits that I was wearing, but I was also someone that loves food,” she declared.
“They’ve done statistics [and] they found out that women were a bit annoyed at the fact that people didn’t think that they could enjoy a generous portion!”
Ashley Roberts has teamed up with Frankie & Benny’s to celebrate their New York Italian menu where big portions, bold flavours and fresh food is guaranteed. Visit