Hollyoaks and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Malique Thompson-Dwyer is returning to the soap this week as Prince McQueen.
Malique, who took part in E4’s Celebs Go Dating back in 2020 is coming back to Hollyoaks, the popular soap, as part of Channel 4’s Black to Front initiative this Friday (September 10).
The 23-year-old TV star has appeared in many programmes including The Dumping Ground, Hollyoaks, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Celebs Go Dating, Celeb Ex in the City and Celebs on the Farm.
Off-screen however, Malique has had a turbulent start to his career – especially in the last couple of years.
From foot fetish revelations to ‘breaking’ lockdown rules during a quarantine rave scandal, and having a big presence on social media – Daily Star looks inside the star’s life.
Dumping ground beginnings
(Image: BBC)
Malique’s acting career started off in the famous CBBC spin-off series – The Dumping Ground.
His first on-screen acting role was as Tommo, when he guest starred in an episode in 2016 as an old friend of Sasha’s, in the episode Submarine.
Fans of Malique were in shock when The Dumping Ground’s Facebook page posted about him ahead of the star entering the I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Australian jungle.
One fan wrote: “Gosh, I didn’t even recognise him and I watch Hollyoaks!”
Another said: “OMG woah I didn’t know that was him?!”
A third penned: “I knew I recognised him!!”
Life as Prince McQueen
(Image: Lime Pictures)
The young actor first appeared in Hollyoaks as Prince McQueen back in 2016 alongside his on-screen brother Hunter, played by Theo Graham.
Malique then stepped away from Hollyoaks in the summer of 2019, after Prince attempted to kill Romeo Nightingale.
Prince attempted the murder because he blamed Romeo for his wife Lily McQueen’s death – but he wasn’t away from our TVs for too long.
I’m A Celeb stint
(Image: ITV)
In November 2018, it was announced that Malique would be joining the line-up of the 18th series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! on ITV.
His appearance made him him the youngest contestant on the show – ever.
Although a favourite among fans at home, he was the second to be booted out of the jungle on December 2, 2018.
Cringe bedroom rap
Malique left E4 viewers cringing at their TVs after he boasted about his ability in the bedroom on his date with a brunette bombshell.
The actor admitted he didn’t fully enjoy his time on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks before telling his date that he is also a rapper.
Looking shocked, Alisha asked Malique to show off his self-proclaimed skills.
The I’m A Celeb star promptly stood up and began an original rap in which he crudely boasted about his bedroom skills.
Pointing down at his manhood, Malique bluntly rapped: “I ain’t gonna flop/ Straight hard.”
Fans were cringing – and so were we.
Foot fetish revelation
While starring on Celebs Go Dating, Paul Carrick Brunson and Anna Williamson – the matchmakers… or shall we say cupids of the show – asked the star what he looked for in a girl.
“I love a girl with nice feet,” he explained.
Paul questioned the fetish a bit further as he asked: “Would you help her take her shoes off?”
The then-22-year-old replied: “Probably…”
Lockdown rave scandal
During the United Kingdom’s third national lockdown, Malique travelled 300 miles from Cornwall to Manchester.
Back during the lockdown he shared a shot of him posing in front of Polean Farm Cottages in Cornwall on Instagram with the caption: “Can’t stop won’t stop.”
Later in the day, the actor took to his Instagram Stories and shared a shot of him behind the wheel of his car, driving to Manchester, with the words “I’ll be back” across it.
Malique’s girlfriend Christelle posted the same photo and wrote: “Nice long drive home,” while tagging their location as Exeter, Devon.
The Sun contacted Malique’s representative, who insisted he had travelled “for work”.
In a now-deleted Instagram video, the soap star said: “First of all, I apologise to anyone I may have offended, but let me just get one thing straight.
“I’ve got family members that have actually passed away from this coronavirus. So yo, I am in this as well. So don’t go on at me like I am not in this as well.
“But it’s funny how everyone is never saying anything positive about me. It’s always bad boy Malique this…
“They never want to say anything positive and it’s funny because at least I am not out there p***ing on war memorials. Racist c***s.”
Black to Front initiative
Malique is returning as Prince McQueen for Channel 4’s Black To Front initiative which will take place on September 10 2021.
This initiative was confirmed last year in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
For 24 hours, in honour of Black History Month, Channel 4 is committing to a full day of programming led by Black talent.
The Big Breakfast is returning and will be presented by Mo Gilligan and Channel 4 News, which will be led by an all-Black presenting and reporting team.
Malique explained why he thinks the project is important: “The Black To Front Project is amazing because it’s bringing more awareness to the cause and I feel it’s what TV needs.
“I’m excited to hear everyone’s feedback, the audience and the fans. It’s going to be great; it’s going to be amazing.”
Hollyoaks airs weekdays on Channel 4 at 6.30pm followed by first-look episodes on E4 at 7pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
