Diversity's Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely reveal how they deal with haters
Perri reveals he was bullied throughout his school life
Last updated 1st Sep 2020
Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely might be part of the very successful Britain's Got Talent winning group Diversity, but the pair have opened up to Fleur East on her podcast The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East about the hate they received and how they dealt with the haters.
Perri, who is now 24-years-old, was still at school when the group won the competition back in 2007, and told how he thought the hate stemmed from him being super young.
He opened up saying how despite many thinking that everyone in school would love him, he was bullied throughout his school life. "It was everything pretty much to do with what I was doing on the outside, but then I feel like I've got such a tight knit group of brothers around me, they're always telling me, why sink to their level, this is what I love to do, why change?
"I think it's really easy for me to live that Diversity life, go back to school and then let that just eat me up and just put me in a bad place."
The pair also admitted that maybe they had it slightly 'easier' to begin with as they became famous as a group. Jordan revealed for the first few years, Ashley and Perri took the brunt of "that stuff", but they weren't the type of celebrities that you'd generally read about.
"It wasn't until we started doing other stuff, like I'm a Celebrity, or Dancing On Ice, Ash became a personality," Jordan explained. "And it's kind of grown from there."
The Diversity star went on to say how it didn't get tough for him until they'd already had loads of experience with "the industry" as a group.
Of course it was very different for Perri, because of his age, he admitted that if he hadn't been part of a group he didn't think he could have coped with the fame. "I think the only reason I'm here today is because I've grown as a person, because of the rest of the boys and the experience we've all gone through," Perri explained.
Never miss an episode, subscribe now to The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East
The Reality of Reality TV is normally available every Tuesday, but as you'll know, Fleur is recovering after being on a boat filming her own reality show - Don't Rock The Boat! She'll be back as soon as she can, with a special guest for the last episode of the season, so subscribe to get it as soon as it's released!
Now take a look at the Reality of Reality TV podcast episodes:
Episode 1: RuPauls' Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne
In Episode 1 is all about RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the gruelling work involved in the show, why drag is not just fab make-up and a gorgeous body, and what REALLY happened in that 'red wig and silver dress' moment. 👀
Next episode lands Tuesday 14th July, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out.
Episode 2: The X Factor's Janet Devlin
"Do I swallow that, or be the girl who throws up on national television?" Quite the conundrum for Janet Devlin, singer-songwriter, and finalist on The X Factor, who joins Fleur East on The Reality of Reality TV.
Episode 3: Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond has been on a lot of Reality TV shows, but there are some she wouldn't go on, Fleur East caught up with her to find out what she wouldn't go on.
Episode 4: Love Island's Amber Gill
Since leaving the famous Love Island villa, Amber has remained in the public eye, so we were over the moon to have her join The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, when she revealed how she really felt after THAT Casa Amor moment.
Episode 5: Vas J Morgan
Vas J Morgan is known for appearing on The Only Way In Essex (TOWIE) between 2014 – 2019 as well as Celebs Go Dating, so we couldn't wait to hear his realities of Reality TV.
Episode 6: JB Gill
JLS singer JB Gill admitted that they saw The X Factor almost as a last resort. The band had been working together for 18 months before they went on the programme, but as JB explained they'd tried every avenue before.
Episode 7: Harry Redknapp
Coming from a background of football, Harry Redknapp seemed an unlikely contestant on I'm A Celebrity when he took part two years ago, but he describes his experience on the show as life-changing, saying he, "Learnt to laugh again."
Episode 8: Vicky Pattison
Former Geordie Shore star and I'm a Celebrity winner, Vicky Pattison joined Fleur East to talk about her experiences of Reality TV and how two of the biggest shows she's been on differed in their support and preparation.
Episode 9: Jordan and Perri from Diversity
Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely are part of the very successful Britain's Got Talent winning group Diversity, and have opened up to Fleur East on her podcast The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East about the hate they received and how they dealt with the haters.
Episode 10: Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona needs no introduction and in her own words, 'you hear before you see her!'. Through highs and lows, husbands and children, she's been gracing our reality TV screens for almost twenty years. So in the final episode of this series of The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, she speaks openly and honestly to one of our absolute Queens of Reality TV.
Who are Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely?
Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely were both in the dance group Diversity, which won Britain's Got Talent in 2007. Since winning the show and touring, they have also starred in a number of TV shows and now present the Breakfast Show on our sister station KISS FM UK.
What are Jordan and Perri famous for?
Jordan and Perri became famous after winning Britain's Got Talent in 2007 as part of Diversity. Diversity is led by Jordan’s brother Ashley Banjo and is made up of friends from Essex and East London.
Which TV shows have Jordan and Perri been on?
As well as Britain's Got Talent, both Jordan and Perri have been on other reality TV shows. Jordan took part in I'm A Celebrity in 2016, where he was fourth to be eliminated.
Jordan has also presented a number of Reality TV shows including, Got to Dance (backstage presenter) along with Perri, Dancing on Ice backstage digital host in 2018, and co-presenter on The Greatest Dancer.
Perri on the other hand has also been many programmes including The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off and of course Dancing On Ice which he came second in when paired with Vanessa Bauer.
What are Jordan and Perri doing now?
Jordan and Perri now present the Breakfast Show on our sister station KISS FM UK.
What is The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
The Reality of Reality of TV is a podcast with Fleur East who has appeared on The X Factor twice and I'm A Celebrity. Throughout the podcast she speaks to some of the biggest names around in the reality TV world, including RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne, Janet Devlin from The X Factor, Amber Gill from Love Island and many more.
When is each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV released?
Each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV is released on a Tuesday, including this episode four are now available to listen to. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of the others!
How to listen to The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
You can now listen to all of the available podcast episodes from the Hits Radio website, through Apple podcasts, Spotify, and all mainstream podcast providers.
Who's been on The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
So far on the The Reality of Reality of TV podcast we’ve had The Vivienne from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Janet Devlin who appeared on The X factor and Alison Hammond who started out on Big Brother. The latest guest is Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill.
Catch Fleur East every weekday morning on Hits Radio from 6am. Wake The Fun up with Fleur joined by the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment.