Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico
They might have been married for 40 years and seen it all, but Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, 61, reveals that his wife, Cheryl, loved every minute of watching him get his kit off in The All New Monty.
“My wife was in the audience,” he tells New Idea, “and she loved it!”
Of course, the ex-footy player isn’t just doing it for her, he is doing it to help raise awareness for men’s health issues.
“I do a lot of work in the mental-health area,” he says. “So when this came about, I thought, ‘Why not?’
It’s a great opportunity to get out there and spread this positive message.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I had so much fun, I should have got into stripping years ago!”
In fact, Dipper, who considers himself one of the best dancers in the group, even suggested a dance move that made it into their routine.
“There’s a dance move in the routine called the Dipper,” he reveals. “I said to our choreographer, Todd [McKenney], ‘It’s got to be in the dance’ and he liked it. Imagine music in the background, and you’re butting out a cigarette, you put your right foot in and you twist it all around then you take it out.
“That’s the Dipper.”
Meanwhile, Dipper admits that he did a few special things to get ready for the big night, including getting a spray tan and a wax.
“I loved it! I did both,” he laughs. “Matty J got everything waxed but I got part of my shoulders waxed and under my arms. How you women do it I have no idea. Oh my, it hurt, but I’d wax again if I needed to.”
However, there is one piece of hair he reveals he will never remove – his moustache! “No way, I would never get rid of it,” he laughs. “I’m too close to it!”
John Wood
When it comes to taking your clothes off on stage, you would think that most people would be nervous, but for veteran actor John Wood, it’s just another day of work.
“I wasn’t nervous. I’ve been naked on stage in a couple of theatre shows before,” he reveals to New idea.
“Although, it is always a little confronting. But I like a bit of a challenge. And it was for a good cause. Men are notoriously bad at checking on their health.”
Health challenges are something that John, 73, knows about, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, but he says it didn’t hinder him in the dance routine.
“The rheumatoid didn’t present any particular problems during this. The routine wasn’t all that arduous,” he says.
“It slows me down a bit, but you always have to work through it anyway. It makes me move more clumsily, I suppose.”
In fact, John admits that dancing, isn’t his forte.
“I was probably the worst mover, but that’s hardly a surprise,” he laughs.
Matty J
He knew how to make Laura Byrne swoon on The Bachelor, now the reality star is going to have all of Australia swooning, when he strips down to his birthday suit. However, the 32-year-old hunky radio host is worried about his dance moves. “I have this fear that everyone will be in sync and I will be three moves behind.”
George Burgess
He scored one of the most memorable tries in NRL history, contributing to the Rabbitohs’ first win in 43 years, before going on to play 12 tests in the Rugby League World Cup. Now, George, 27, is set to show off his dance moves – but is he ready to go the full monty?
Lote Tuqiri
Lote, 39, might have been a footy legend, but these days, the father-of-three loves being on the sidelines as a coach to his son’s rugby league team. “I’m really trying to impart some knowledge,” he says.
Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola
Fev was one of the best full forwards to have played AFL in the 2000s before embarking on a radio career as a breakfast show host on Fox FM alongside Fifi Box and Byron Cooke. “Radio’s great. It’s a real passion. I think I like it more than footy,” the 38-year-old says.
Sam Moran
This former Wiggles star should have no problems learning the dance routine, but he admits that he has had his fair share of mishaps on stage before. “I’ve tripped over drum kits and lights,” Sam, 41, says. “And I’ve forgotten the lyrics to ‘Hot Potato’ and there’s only six words in that song!” Let’s hope he keeps it together on the night!
All New Monty premieres Tue, July 30 at 7.30pm
For more, pick up the latest copy of New Idea on sale now!
