A GATHERING to mark the start of Ex on the Beach which is to star a Rhyl Romeo will be hosted in Abergele.

Sam Lonsdale, from Kinmel Bay, is to star in the MTV series which airs on March 20.

The 20-year-old former pupil of Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School in Rhyl will appear on season eight of the no-holds-barred entertainment show – where singletons jet off to a sunny destination to look for love and are subsequently joined by their ex-partners.

Sam hasn't revealed whether he found love - but is hosting a celebration night in the Pen-y-Bont Inn, Abergele, as the show kicks off.

The student, who is looking to get his personal training qualification within the next few weeks and has plans to travel to Australia at the end of the year, said: "I wanted to go on it (Ex On The Beach) just to have a laugh and it was wicked. I’m hoping that it will open a few doors. I initially tried to get on Love Island but I wasn’t successful.

"Then I put myself forward for this; I was interviewed and went down to London and then I was told I’d made it. I was buzzing.

"It was the best experience. It was unforgettable."

Mum Christine Lonsdale said: "Everybody is young once.

"I'm not sure what to expect. I will probably be watching parts of it through my fingers."

The event will start at 8pm on Tuesday, March 20. Anyone is invited that wishes to support Sam. There will be food and Ex on the Beach will be televised when it starts at 10pm.