The Real Full Monty: Jingle Balls Cast—10 Celebrities Who Dared To Bare For The Most Important Cause

The Real Full Monty is more than just a celebrity striptease; it is a powerful, emotional, and vital campaign to raise awareness for life-saving body checks and cancer prevention. The latest UK edition, The Real Full Monty: Jingle Balls, which aired in late 2023, brought together a courageous group of stars, each with a deeply personal reason for daring to bare it all on stage. This special, led by presenters Ashley Banjo and Coleen Nolan, highlighted the importance of early detection, particularly for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

The commitment of the 2023/2024 cast members to strip off for charity is rooted in heartbreaking personal experience, giving the performance a profound depth that transcends mere entertainment. The show continues the legacy of the original 1997 film, using the power of celebrity and vulnerability to encourage the public to check their bodies and seek medical advice. As of today, December 11, 2025, the impact of these celebrity advocates continues to drive crucial conversations about men's and women's health.

The Real Full Monty: Jingle Balls Cast Profiles and Their Personal Causes

The Jingle Balls special featured ten brave celebrities, each representing a different facet of the cancer awareness and mental health conversation. Their decision to participate was driven by personal battles, family diagnoses, and a commitment to charitable work. Below is a detailed look at the inspiring cast.

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• Julia Bradbury: The popular television presenter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and underwent a mastectomy. Her participation was a deeply personal mission to encourage women to check for lumps and to destigmatise the conversation around breast cancer and body changes after surgery.
• Paul Burrell: Princess Diana's former butler revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in early 2023. Burrell's involvement was specifically aimed at raising awareness for prostate cancer screening and encouraging men, particularly older men, to overcome the fear and embarrassment of getting checked.
• Ashley Cain: The former professional footballer and reality star is a prominent advocate for childhood cancer. Ashley's daughter, Azaylia, tragically passed away from an aggressive form of leukaemia, which led him to establish The Azaylia Foundation. He joined the show to honour her memory and promote all forms of cancer awareness.
• Gemma Collins: The reality TV personality (The GC) joined the cast following her mother's breast cancer diagnosis. Her emotional journey on the show highlighted the impact of cancer on family members and the importance of supporting loved ones through diagnosis and treatment.
• Ben Cohen MBE: A Rugby World Cup winner and former England player, Cohen is the founder of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, the world's first anti-bullying charity focusing on inclusion. His participation leveraged his platform to discuss men's mental health and body image, alongside cancer awareness.
• Pete Wicks: Known for his appearances on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), Wicks is a reality TV star and passionate animal welfare advocate. He used his role to encourage men to talk about their health more openly, promoting a message of vulnerability and masculine strength.
• Sherrie Hewson: The veteran actress and television personality, famous for roles in Coronation Street and Benidorm, brought her experience as a Loose Women panellist. Her involvement highlighted the need for open discussions about health among women, especially those in midlife and beyond.
• Ella Vaday (Nick Collier): The drag queen and finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race UK joined the female troupe. Ella's participation was inspired by her mother's breast cancer journey and her work with the breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel!, demonstrating that the message transcends gender identity.
• Vanessa Bauer: A professional ice skater, best known for Dancing on Ice, Bauer's presence added a professional dance element to the performance. Her involvement was connected to a private tragedy, reinforcing the emotional weight of the show's mission.
• Victoria Ekanoye: The English actress, known for her role in Coronation Street, rounded out the female cast. Her performance was a testament to the collective strength and courage required to take part in such a vulnerable and high-profile act for a good cause.

The Essential Role of Presenters and The Full Monty Legacy

The success of The Real Full Monty relies heavily on the guidance and emotional support provided by its presenters. For the Jingle Balls special, the duo of Ashley Banjo and Coleen Nolan returned to lead the celebrities through their challenging journey.

Ashley Banjo, the choreographer and leader of the dance troupe Diversity, is the creative force behind the routines. He is tasked with transforming a group of nervous, non-professional dancers into a cohesive, confident performance group. His role is crucial in teaching the celebrities how to strip with theatrical flair while maintaining the dignity and serious message of the show.

Coleen Nolan, a long-standing panelist on Loose Women and a former singer, is the emotional anchor for the female cast. Having participated in previous series, Coleen provides a safe space for the women to discuss their body image issues, past traumas, and the anxieties of performing a full striptease. Her personal experience with health scares and her open nature make her an invaluable mentor.

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The show itself is a direct spin-off of the 1997 British comedy-drama film The Full Monty, which focused on unemployed Sheffield steelworkers who decide to form a male striptease act. The modern celebrity version retains the core intention: using the act of stripping to draw attention to a serious social or health issue, in this case, the crucial need for cancer checks. The show has successfully created a topical authority on celebrity-driven health awareness campaigns.

The Global Impact and Latest US Special

While the UK version, particularly the Jingle Balls special, is the most recent iteration to feature a large, diverse cast, the format has gained international traction, proving its global impact on cancer awareness. The concept of celebrity vulnerability for a cause resonates strongly with audiences worldwide, promoting a universal message of health vigilance.

In a separate but equally important development, a US version of the show, titled The Real Full Monty, was announced for a Fox special, airing in December 2024. This US line-up focused exclusively on male celebrities and included major names like actor Anthony Anderson, actor Taye Diggs, NFL star Chris Jones, actor Tyler Posey, TV personality Bruno Tonioli, and actor James Van Der Beek.

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The US special's focus was primarily on raising awareness for men's cancers, including prostate and testicular cancer, much like Paul Burrell's mission in the UK version. The dual presence of these specials—UK focusing on a mix of men's and women's cancers, and the US focusing on men's health—demonstrates the expanding reach and topical authority of the franchise in promoting essential health checks across different markets. This global movement ensures that the crucial message of early detection reaches millions of viewers.

Why The Real Full Monty Continues to Matter

The enduring appeal and importance of The Real Full Monty lie in its ability to combine light entertainment with a heavy, life-altering subject. By asking celebrities to step outside their comfort zone and expose their vulnerability, the show breaks down the barriers of shame and embarrassment that often prevent people from checking their bodies or seeking medical help. The emotional payoff comes not from the final striptease, but from the personal stories shared throughout the rehearsals.

The show is packed with powerful entities and themes: childhood cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, anti-bullying, mental health, and celebrity advocacy. Each celebrity’s journey—from Julia Bradbury’s post-mastectomy confidence to Paul Burrell’s prostate cancer struggle—serves as a public service announcement. This unique blend of reality television, celebrity culture, and public health awareness ensures that the legacy of The Full Monty remains fresh, relevant, and, most importantly, life-saving.