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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_suffix = {{postnom|country=GBR|size=100|MBE}}
| honorific_suffix = {{postnom|country=GBR|size=100|MBE}}
| image = Gok Wan at Pride London 2012.jpg
| image = Gok Wan (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wan in 2012
| caption = Wan in 2012
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|9|9|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|9|9|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Leicester]], [[Leicestershire]], England
| birth_place = [[Leicester]], [[Leicestershire]], England
⚫
| television = ''[[How to Look Good Naked]]''<br>''Gok's Fashion Fix''<br>''[[Miss Naked Beauty]]''<br>'' Gok's Clothes Roadshow''<br>''Gok Cooks Chinese''<br>''[[Baggage (UK game show)|Baggage]]''<br>''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]''<br>''Gok's Fill Your House For Free''<br>''Gok's Chinese Takeaway''<br>''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire''
| birth_name = Kowkhyn Wan<ref name=name1>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2317065/ |title=Gok Wan IMDB}}</ref>
| nationality = British
⚫
| television = ''[[How to Look Good Naked]]''<br>''[[Gok's Fashion Fix]]''<br>''[[Miss Naked Beauty]]''<br>'' Gok's Clothes Roadshow''<br>''Gok Cooks Chinese''<br>''[[Baggage (UK game show)|Baggage]]''<br>''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]''<br>''Gok's Fill Your House For Free''<br>''Gok's Chinese Takeaway''<br>''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire''
| occupation = [[Television presenter]], [[Wardrobe stylist|fashion stylist]], [[author]], [[Disc jockey|DJ]]
| occupation = [[Television presenter]], [[Wardrobe stylist|fashion stylist]], [[author]], [[Disc jockey|DJ]]
| alma_mater = [[Royal Central School of Speech and Drama]]
| employer = [[BBC]], [[Channel 4]], [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]]
| employer = [[BBC]], [[Channel 4]], [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]]
| name = Gok Wan
| name = Gok Wan
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| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Kowkhyn Wan'''<ref name=name1 /> {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} ({{zh|t=溫國興|cy=Wān Gwok-hīng|s=温国兴|p=Wēn Guóxìng}}; born 9 September 1974<ref name="birthday">{{cite web|url=http://www.gokwan.com/bio/|title=Gok Wan's Biography|work=gokwan.com}}<!--Please see WP:SPS--><!--Sources stating October are incorrect - see talk--></ref>), known as '''Gok Wan''', is a British [[Wardrobe stylist|fashion consultant]], [[author]], [[television presenter]], actor, DJ, chef and event manager.
'''Gok Wan''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} ({{zh|t=溫國興|cy=Wān Gwok-hīng|s=温国兴|p=Wēn Guóxìng}}; born 9 September 1974<ref name="birthday">{{cite web|url=http://www.gokwan.com/bio/|title=Gok Wan's Biography|work=gokwan.com}}<!--Please see WP:SPS--><!--Sources stating October are incorrect - see talk--></ref>) is a British [[Wardrobe stylist|fashion consultant]], [[author]], [[television presenter]], [[actor]], [[DJ]] and [[chef]].


Initially training in the performing arts at the [[Central School of Speech and Drama]], he then entered the fashion business, writing for popular fashion magazines and appearing on various television shows. In 2006, [[Channel 4]] employed him to present his own television show, ''[[How to Look Good Naked]]'', which lasted for seven series,<ref>{{cite web|title=How To Look Good Naked|url=https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/how-to-look-good-naked/season-7|website=justwatch.com}}</ref> and ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire|url=https://www.truenorth.tv/work/say-yes-to-the-dress-lancashire/|website=truenorth.tv}}</ref> Moving into other genres, he presented a series of documentaries on social problems among young people, drawing on his personal battles with [[obesity]] and [[homophobia]], and presented Chinese cooking shows entitled ''Gok Cooks Chinese''<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok Cooks Chinese|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gok-cooks-chinese|publisher=Channel 4}}</ref> and ''Gok's Chinese Takeaway''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok's Chinese Takeaway|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fn27v8/goks-chinese-takeaway-episode-guide/|website=Radio Times}}</ref>
Initially training in the performing arts at the [[Central School of Speech and Drama]], he then entered the fashion business, writing for popular fashion magazines and appearing on various television shows. In 2006, [[Channel 4]] employed him to present his own television show, ''[[How to Look Good Naked]]'', which lasted for seven series,<ref>{{cite web|title=How To Look Good Naked|url=https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/how-to-look-good-naked/season-7|website=justwatch.com}}</ref> and ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire|url=https://www.truenorth.tv/work/say-yes-to-the-dress-lancashire/|website=truenorth.tv}}</ref> Moving into other genres, he presented a series of documentaries on social problems among young people, drawing on his personal battles with [[obesity]] and [[homophobia]], and presented Chinese cooking shows entitled ''Gok Cooks Chinese''<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok Cooks Chinese|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gok-cooks-chinese|publisher=Channel 4}}</ref> and ''Gok's Chinese Takeaway''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok's Chinese Takeaway|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fn27v8/goks-chinese-takeaway-episode-guide/|website=Radio Times}}</ref>
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Gok Wan was born in [[Leicester]], to an English mother, Myra, and a Chinese father, John Tung Shing Wan, who was born in Hong Kong and [[Overseas Chinese|emigrated to Britain]] at the age of 16.<ref name=TimesProfile/> He grew up in [[Whetstone, Leicestershire|Whetstone]], Leicestershire, where he worked in his parents' restaurant. Wan stood out from his peers from a young age and endured bullying from other children due to the fact that he was [[Multiracial|mixed race]], tall, overweight and [[Homosexuality|gay]].<ref name="Ditch the Label">{{cite web|title=Gok Wan on Ditch the Label – Bullied for Being Gay, Overweight and Chinese |work=Ditch the Label |location=UK |date=12 February 2013 |url=http://www.ditchthelabel.org/gok-wan-bullying-interview/ |access-date=15 February 2013 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826155407/http://www.ditchthelabel.org/gok-wan-bullying-interview/ |archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref><ref name=Hadley1>{{cite web |last=Freeman |first=Hadley |title=We are all beautiful! |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=21 October 2008 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/21/women-television |access-date=21 October 2008}}</ref>
Gok Wan was born in [[Leicester]], to an English mother, Myra, and a Chinese father, John Tung Shing Wan, who was born in Hong Kong and [[Overseas Chinese|emigrated to Britain]] at the age of 16.<ref name=TimesProfile/> He grew up in [[Whetstone, Leicestershire|Whetstone]], Leicestershire, where he worked in his parents' restaurant. Wan stood out from his peers from a young age and endured bullying from other children due to the fact that he was [[Multiracial|mixed race]], tall, overweight and [[Homosexuality|gay]].<ref name="Ditch the Label">{{cite web|title=Gok Wan on Ditch the Label – Bullied for Being Gay, Overweight and Chinese |work=Ditch the Label |location=UK |date=12 February 2013 |url=http://www.ditchthelabel.org/gok-wan-bullying-interview/ |access-date=15 February 2013 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826155407/http://www.ditchthelabel.org/gok-wan-bullying-interview/ |archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref><ref name=Hadley1>{{cite web |last=Freeman |first=Hadley |title=We are all beautiful! |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=21 October 2008 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/21/women-television |access-date=21 October 2008}}</ref>


During his teenage years he weighed as much as 21 stone (133&nbsp;kg, 294&nbsp;lb)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/interview-gok-wan-reveals-he-suffered-from-an-eating-disorder-1-8827687|title=Interview: Gok Wan reveals he suffered from an eating disorder|website=yorkshirepost.co.uk}}</ref> He was drawn to [[performing arts]] with aspirations of becoming an actor, and after leaving [[Babington Academy|Babington Community College]] he began attending a course at the [[Leicester College|Charles Keene College of Further Education]]. Wan received a diploma from the college, then enrolled at the [[Central School of Speech and Drama]] and continued to study performing arts. However, the other students had backgrounds very different from his and he felt that his weight was beginning to dictate his life, later saying: <blockquote>"[It affected] everything: my personality, how people reacted to me, what I wore, everything. When you sit down with someone who's 21&nbsp;stone you have certain expectations of what they're like: stupid, lazy or really funny."<ref name=Hadley1/></blockquote> He felt restricted and unhappy and eventually dropped out of the course, returning to live with his family.
During his teenage years, he weighed as much as 21 stone (133&nbsp;kg, 294&nbsp;lb).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/interview-gok-wan-reveals-he-suffered-from-an-eating-disorder-1-8827687|title=Interview: Gok Wan reveals he suffered from an eating disorder|website=yorkshirepost.co.uk}}</ref> He was drawn to performing arts with aspirations of becoming an actor, and after leaving [[Babington Academy|Babington Community College]] he began attending a course at the [[Leicester College|Charles Keene College of Further Education]]. Wan received a diploma from the college, then enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama and continued to study performing arts. However, the other students had backgrounds very different from his and he felt that his weight was beginning to dictate his life, later saying: <blockquote>"[It affected] everything: my personality, how people reacted to me, what I wore, everything. When you sit down with someone who's 21&nbsp;stone you have certain expectations of what they're like: stupid, lazy or really funny."<ref name=Hadley1/></blockquote> He felt restricted and unhappy and eventually dropped out of the course, returning to live with his family.


Wan set about [[weight loss|losing weight]] and at the age of 20 he began a [[List of diets#Crash diets|crash diet]], losing half his weight in several months. In his autobiography he includes a section from a calorie diary he kept at the time, revealing he survived for weeks on end on as little as fruit and honey. He also took up to 50 [[laxative]]s a day to prevent himself gaining weight from the little food he did consume. Wan reveals that during his diet he lacked energy and motivation; this, coupled with the stress of his course, sent him into [[Depression (mood)|depression]]. He states that he became [[Suicide|suicidal]] around this time – "I fantasised about killing myself – I could see no other way out...I concluded that suicide was the only option." Wan never did attempt to kill himself, stating a fear that he would be unsuccessful and the attempt would be regarded as "just another failing". Upon dropping out of his course and returning home, he confessed his feelings to his family, and was diagnosed as suffering from [[anorexia nervosa|anorexia]] by a doctor. Under the supervision of his family he began to eat more and slowly increased to a healthier weight. Despite the sudden change, he had no problem with having been overweight, later reflecting: "I don't regret having been fat at all. I know how to throw jokes at myself and I use humour before anything else, and those skills allow me to do the [[Late-night talk show|chat-shows]]. So I'm thankful for that."<ref name=Hadley1/> He even lamented that, after losing weight, he had to try harder to attract attention, saying that his weight had, to an extent, defined him.<ref name=TimesProfile/>
Wan set about [[weight loss|losing weight]]; at the age of 20, he began a [[List of diets#Crash diets|crash diet]], losing half his weight in several months. In his autobiography he includes a section from a calorie diary he kept at the time, revealing he survived for weeks on end on as little as fruit and honey. He also took up to 50 [[laxative]]s a day to prevent himself gaining weight from the little food he did consume. Wan reveals that during his diet, he lacked energy and motivation; this, coupled with the stress of his course, sent him into [[Depression (mood)|depression]]. He states that he became [[Suicide|suicidal]] around this time – "I fantasised about killing myself – I could see no other way out...I concluded that suicide was the only option." Wan never did attempt to kill himself, stating a fear that he would be unsuccessful and the attempt would be regarded as "just another failing". Upon dropping out of his course and returning home, he confessed his feelings to his family, and was diagnosed as suffering from [[anorexia nervosa|anorexia]] by a doctor. Under the supervision of his family he began to eat more and slowly increased to a healthier weight. Despite the sudden change, he had no problem with having been overweight, later reflecting: "I don't regret having been fat at all. I know how to throw jokes at myself and I use humour before anything else, and those skills allow me to do the [[Late-night talk show|chat-shows]]. So I'm thankful for that."<ref name=Hadley1/> He even lamented that, after losing weight, he had to try harder to attract attention, saying that his weight had, to an extent, defined him.<ref name=TimesProfile/>


==Career==
==Career==
Wan started his career in London as a makeup artist, then moved into the field of being a fashion stylist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok Wan CV on Gokwan.com|url=http://www.gokwan.com/my-cv/|website=gokwan.com}}</ref> He has worked with many [[Celebrity|celebrities]] including [[Bryan Ferry]], [[All Saints (group)|All Saints]], [[Damian Lewis]], [[Erasure]], [[Vanessa Mae]], [[Wade Robson]], [[Lauren Laverne]], [[Wet Wet Wet]], and [[Johnny Vaughan]]. He has offered his opinions to magazines, becoming a fashion consultant, and his work has been published internationally in several magazines including ''[[Tatler (1901)|Tatler]]'', ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'', ''Times Style'', ''[[Marie Claire]]'', ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'', ''[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]'', ''Afisha Mir'', ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' and ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''. He has worked with photographers such as [[Rankin (photographer)|Rankin]], Mike Owen and Jason Joyce. He has also worked as an "on-screen" fashion consultant on many television shows including: ''MTV Shakedown'' ([[MTV Europe]]), [[GMTV]] ([[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]), ''[[LK Today]]'' (ITV), ''[[Big Brother's Little Brother]]'' ([[Channel 4]]), ''[[Battle of the Sexes (TV series)|Battle of the Sexes]]'' ([[BBC One]]), ''[[The Wright Stuff]]'' ([[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]), ''Make Me a Grown Up'' (Channel 4/[[T4 (Channel 4)|T4]]), ''[[The Xtra Factor (UK TV series)|The Xtra Factor]]'' ([[ITV2]]) and ''[[T4 (Channel 4)|T4]]'' (Channel 4).
Wan started his career in London as a makeup artist, then moved into the field of being a fashion stylist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok Wan CV on Gokwan.com|url=http://www.gokwan.com/my-cv/|website=gokwan.com}}</ref> He has worked with many celebrities including [[Bryan Ferry]], [[All Saints (group)|All Saints]], [[Damian Lewis]], [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]], [[Vanessa Mae]], [[Wade Robson]], [[Lauren Laverne]], [[Wet Wet Wet]], and [[Johnny Vaughan]]. He has offered his opinions to magazines, becoming a fashion consultant, and his work has been published internationally in several magazines including ''[[Tatler (1901)|Tatler]]'', ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'', ''Times Style'', ''[[Marie Claire]]'', ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'', ''[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]'', ''Afisha Mir'', ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' and ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''. He has worked with photographers such as [[Rankin (photographer)|Rankin]], Mike Owen and Jason Joyce. He has also worked as an "on-screen" fashion consultant on many television shows including: ''MTV Shakedown'' ([[MTV Europe]]), [[GMTV]] ([[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]), ''[[LK Today]]'' (ITV), ''[[Big Brother's Little Brother]]'' (Channel 4), ''[[Battle of the Sexes (TV series)|Battle of the Sexes]]'' ([[BBC One]]), ''[[The Wright Stuff]]'' (Channel 5), ''Make Me a Grown Up'' (Channel 4/[[T4 (Channel 4)|T4]]), ''[[The Xtra Factor (UK TV series)|The Xtra Factor]]'' ([[ITV2]]) and ''[[T4 (Channel 4)|T4]]'' (Channel 4).


In 2006, he was approached by Channel 4 and asked to present his own fashion show, ''[[How to Look Good Naked]]''. In addition, he wrote his first book<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok Wan books on Amazon.co.uk|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=gok%20wan&sprefix=gok+w%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Agok%20wan&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1445951877766&oqid=1445951876&ajr=sabc|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> to accompany the series, entitled ''How to Look Good Naked: Shop for Your Shape and Look Amazing!'', that was published in April 2007. A second series was commissioned and was broadcast on Channel 4 in mid-2007. Along with the second series, he appeared on ''[[The New Paul O'Grady Show]]'', in which he persuaded [[Paul O'Grady]] to strip "naked". From 2008 until 2010, he presented ''Gok's Fashion Fix'', broadcast on Channel 4.
In 2006, he was approached by Channel 4 and asked to present his own fashion show, ''How to Look Good Naked''. In addition, he wrote his first book<ref>{{cite web|title=Gok Wan books on Amazon.co.uk|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=gok%20wan&sprefix=gok+w%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Agok%20wan&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1445951877766&oqid=1445951876&ajr=sabc|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> to accompany the series, entitled ''How to Look Good Naked: Shop for Your Shape and Look Amazing!'', that was published in April 2007. A second series was commissioned and was broadcast on Channel 4 in mid-2007. Along with the second series, he appeared on ''[[The New Paul O'Grady Show]]'', in which he persuaded [[Paul O'Grady]] to strip "naked". From 2008 until 2010, he presented ''Gok's Fashion Fix'', broadcast on Channel 4.


His next series ''[[Miss Naked Beauty]]'', which he co-presented with [[Myleene Klass]], was broadcast in October and November 2008.<ref name="MissNakedBeauty">{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/M/missnakedbeauty/index.html |title=Miss Naked Beauty|access-date=20 October 2008|publisher=Channel 4 |location=UK}}</ref> The series attracted controversy after Wan denigrated semi-naked women, causing critics to question the motives behind the series; journalist [[Amanda Platell]] described it as "vulgarity masquerading as self-help".<ref name=TimesProfile>{{cite web |title=Profile: Gok Wan |work=The Sunday Times |date=26 October 2008 |url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article5014568.ece |access-date=28 October 2008 }}</ref>
His next series ''[[Miss Naked Beauty]]'', which he co-presented with [[Myleene Klass]], was broadcast in October and November 2008.<ref name="MissNakedBeauty">{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/M/missnakedbeauty/index.html |title=Miss Naked Beauty|access-date=20 October 2008|publisher=Channel 4 |location=UK}}</ref> The series attracted controversy after Wan denigrated semi-naked women, causing critics to question the motives behind the series; journalist [[Amanda Platell]] described it as "vulgarity masquerading as self-help".<ref name=TimesProfile>{{cite web |title=Profile: Gok Wan |work=The Sunday Times |date=26 October 2008 |url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article5014568.ece |access-date=28 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


Wan presented a documentary which was first broadcast on 27 January 2009, entitled ''Too Fat Too Young'', which examined overweight children in the UK. He reflected on his experience of being obese to help several teenagers. In 2010, he joined the celebrity panel on Channel 4's ''TV Book Club''.<ref name="western telegraph">{{cite web |url=http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/leisure/national/entertainment/4821918.TV_Book_Club_opens_a_new_chapter/ |title=TV Book Club opens a new chapter |date=28 December 2009 |website=[[Western Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Newsquest]] |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>
Wan presented a documentary which was first broadcast on 27 January 2009, entitled ''Too Fat Too Young'', which examined overweight children in the UK. He reflected on his experience of being obese to help several teenagers. In 2010, he joined the celebrity panel on Channel 4's ''TV Book Club''.<ref name="western telegraph">{{cite web |url=http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/leisure/national/entertainment/4821918.TV_Book_Club_opens_a_new_chapter/ |title=TV Book Club opens a new chapter |date=28 December 2009 |website=[[Western Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Newsquest]] |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>
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In 2012, he presented a series entitled ''[[Gok Cooks Chinese]]'' on Channel 4 and later a book by the same title, ''Gok Cooks Chinese'' was published by Michael Joseph ([[Penguin Group|Penguin Group UK]]).<ref>{{cite book|title=Gok Cooks Chinese|id = {{ASIN|0718159519|country=uk}}}}</ref> In autumn 2012,{{when|date=August 2013}} Wan presented ''[[Baggage (UK game show)|Baggage]]'', which was broadcast on Channel 4.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baggage|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/baggage|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=30 September 2012}}</ref>
In 2012, he presented a series entitled ''[[Gok Cooks Chinese]]'' on Channel 4 and later a book by the same title, ''Gok Cooks Chinese'' was published by Michael Joseph ([[Penguin Group|Penguin Group UK]]).<ref>{{cite book|title=Gok Cooks Chinese|id = {{ASIN|0718159519|country=uk}}}}</ref> In autumn 2012,{{when|date=August 2013}} Wan presented ''[[Baggage (UK game show)|Baggage]]'', which was broadcast on Channel 4.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baggage|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/baggage|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=30 September 2012}}</ref>


Between 2013 and 2015 Wan was the Style & Quality Ambassador for the [[Target Australia]] brand. As part of his role, he presented an Australian TV show titled ''Target Style the Nation'', in which he transformed the appearances of five women.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.campaignbrief.com/2014/09/target-and-gok-wan-set-to-styl.html|title=Target and Gok Wan set to 'Style the Nation' in branded content TV special tonight on Seven|work=Campaign Brief Australia|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref> Wan's employer dismissed concerns about his use of the term "bangers" as a description for women's breasts in the brand's adverts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/targets-gok-wan-ads-attract-complaints-over-bangers-20130826-2slb6.html|title=Target's Gok Wan ads attract complaints over 'bangers'|work=The Age|last=Lowe|first=Adrian|date=26 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2020}}</ref>
Between 2013 and 2015, Wan was the Style & Quality Ambassador for the [[Target Australia]] brand. As part of his role, he presented an Australian TV show titled ''Target Style the Nation'', in which he transformed the appearances of five women.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.campaignbrief.com/2014/09/target-and-gok-wan-set-to-styl.html|title=Target and Gok Wan set to 'Style the Nation' in branded content TV special tonight on Seven|work=Campaign Brief Australia|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref> Wan's employer dismissed concerns about his use of the term "bangers" as a description for women's breasts in the brand's adverts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/targets-gok-wan-ads-attract-complaints-over-bangers-20130826-2slb6.html|title=Target's Gok Wan ads attract complaints over 'bangers'|work=The Age|last=Lowe|first=Adrian|date=26 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2020}}</ref>


In June 2014, Wan attended [[Royal Ascot]] for the first time as fashion presenter alongside racing presenter [[Clare Balding]] on ''[[Channel 4 Racing]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/gok-wan-joins-channel-4s-royal-ascot-team-as-fashion-presenter |title=Gok Wan joins Channel 4's Royal Ascot team as fashion presenter |date=3 June 2014 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>
In June 2014, Wan attended [[Royal Ascot]] for the first time as fashion presenter alongside racing presenter [[Clare Balding]] on ''[[Channel 4 Racing]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/gok-wan-joins-channel-4s-royal-ascot-team-as-fashion-presenter |title=Gok Wan joins Channel 4's Royal Ascot team as fashion presenter |date=3 June 2014 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>
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In 2016, Wan presented ''Fearne and Gok – Off the Rails''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/be/dont-miss-fearne-and-gok-off-the-rails|title=Don't Miss: Fearne And Gok – Off The Rails|website=itv.com|access-date=2016-04-06}}</ref> on [[ITVBe]] and ''Gok's Lunchbox''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/hub/goks-lunchbox/2a4197a0008 |title=Gok's Lunchbox – Series 1 – Episode 7 |website=The ITV Hub |access-date=2016-04-06 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420193858/http://www.itv.com/hub/goks-lunchbox/2a4197a0008 |archive-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> on ITV. Since August 2016, Wan has presented ''Gok's Fill Your House for Free'' for Channel 4 daytime, replacing [[Kirstie Allsopp]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Press |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/gok-to-fill-channel-4-daytime-with-brand-new-fill-your-house-for-free |title=News |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref>
In 2016, Wan presented ''Fearne and Gok – Off the Rails''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/be/dont-miss-fearne-and-gok-off-the-rails|title=Don't Miss: Fearne And Gok – Off The Rails|website=itv.com|access-date=2016-04-06}}</ref> on [[ITVBe]] and ''Gok's Lunchbox''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/hub/goks-lunchbox/2a4197a0008 |title=Gok's Lunchbox – Series 1 – Episode 7 |website=The ITV Hub |access-date=2016-04-06 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420193858/http://www.itv.com/hub/goks-lunchbox/2a4197a0008 |archive-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> on ITV. Since August 2016, Wan has presented ''Gok's Fill Your House for Free'' for Channel 4 daytime, replacing [[Kirstie Allsopp]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Press |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/gok-to-fill-channel-4-daytime-with-brand-new-fill-your-house-for-free |title=News |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref>


In 2017, [[National Geographic (British and Irish TV channel)|National Geographic]] aired his show ''Gok's Chinese Takeaway'', that explored Chinese food around the globe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://natgeotv.com/me/goks-chinese-takeaway/about|title=Gok's Chinese Takeaway|website=natgeotv.com|language=en}}</ref>
In 2017, [[National Geographic (British and Irish TV channel)|National Geographic]] aired his show ''Gok's Chinese Takeaway'', that explored Chinese food around the globe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.natgeotv.com/me/goks-chinese-takeaway/about|title=Gok's Chinese Takeaway|website=natgeotv.com|language=en}}</ref>


In 2017, Wan was a fashion expert on ''Made Over By'' on [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/made-over-by|title=Made Over By – All 4|publisher=Channel 4|language=en|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref> and 2018 saw Wan as a panel member on ''Britain's Favourite Dogs: Top 100'' on ITV.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-best-dog-breeds-2018-11858005|title=Britain's top 100 favourite dog breeds – as voted for by the public|last=Gripper|first=Ann|date=2018-03-09|work=mirror|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref>
In 2017, Wan was a fashion expert on ''Made Over By'' on [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/made-over-by|title=Made Over By – All 4|publisher=Channel 4|language=en|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref> and 2018 saw Wan as a panel member on ''Britain's Favourite Dogs: Top 100'' on ITV.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-best-dog-breeds-2018-11858005|title=Britain's top 100 favourite dog breeds – as voted for by the public|last=Gripper|first=Ann|date=2018-03-09|work=mirror|access-date=2018-04-09}}</ref>
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In 2018, Wan launched a company, Beautiful Events and Productions Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beautifuleventsandproductions.com|title=Entertainment – Events – Production {{!}} Beautiful Events & Productions|website=beautifuleventsandproductions.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref> which offered high-end event management services – everything from creative production to logistics and event management.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/gok-wan-cuts-a-dash-with-scots-events-firm-1-4687452|title=Gok Wan cuts a dash with Scots events firm|access-date=2018-04-19|language=en}}</ref> The new venture started after Wan and his business partner Peter Ferguson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdfproductions/|title=Mr|last=Peter|first=Ferguson|date=19 April 2018|website=LinkdIn.com|access-date=19 April 2018}}{{dead link|date=January 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> produced a 21-date tour around the UK and Ireland of Wan's show entitled 'Fashion Brunch Club' (2016/17).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gokwan.com/fashion-brunch-club/|title=Fashion Brunch Club Gokwan.com|website=gokwan.com|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gokfashion.com|title=Home|website=gokfashion.com|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref> These shows are a live version of what Wan offered in his previous TV show ''How to Look Good Naked''. The guests experience a 5 star Brunch, and catwalk show of clothes from their local clothing stores, along with a surprise audience makeover and Wan also provides a much coveted body-shape masterclass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beautifuleventsandproductions.com/portfolio_page/the-fashion-brunch-gok-wan/|title=The Fashion Brunch Club, Gok Wan {{!}} Beautiful Events & Productions|website=beautifuleventsandproductions.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref>
In 2018, Wan launched a company, Beautiful Events and Productions Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beautifuleventsandproductions.com|title=Entertainment – Events – Production {{!}} Beautiful Events & Productions|website=beautifuleventsandproductions.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref> which offered high-end event management services – everything from creative production to logistics and event management.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/media-leisure/gok-wan-cuts-a-dash-with-scots-events-firm-1-4687452|title=Gok Wan cuts a dash with Scots events firm|access-date=2018-04-19|language=en}}</ref> The new venture started after Wan and his business partner Peter Ferguson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdfproductions/|title=Mr|last=Peter|first=Ferguson|date=19 April 2018|website=LinkdIn.com|access-date=19 April 2018}}{{dead link|date=January 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> produced a 21-date tour around the UK and Ireland of Wan's show entitled 'Fashion Brunch Club' (2016/17).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gokwan.com/fashion-brunch-club/|title=Fashion Brunch Club Gokwan.com|website=gokwan.com|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gokfashion.com|title=Home|website=gokfashion.com|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref> These shows are a live version of what Wan offered in his previous TV show ''How to Look Good Naked''. The guests experience a 5 star Brunch, and catwalk show of clothes from their local clothing stores, along with a surprise audience makeover and Wan also provides a much coveted body-shape masterclass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beautifuleventsandproductions.com/portfolio_page/the-fashion-brunch-gok-wan/|title=The Fashion Brunch Club, Gok Wan {{!}} Beautiful Events & Productions|website=beautifuleventsandproductions.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref>


In 2018 Wan, along with co-founders Lucy Mitchell and Sarah Lewis, founded and launched the inaugural Golden Chopsticks Awards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chinatown.co.uk/en/news/golden-chopstick-awards-coming/|title=The Golden Chopsticks Awards are coming! {{!}} Chinatown London|date=2018-01-22|work=Chinatown London|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-GB}}</ref> The event took place on 16 April 2018 at the [[Grosvenor House Hotel|London Marriott Hotel]], [[Grosvenor Square]], [[Park Lane|London]] and Wan was host, with judges including [[Ken Hom]], [[Simon Rimmer]], [[Ching He Huang]], [[Fuchsia Dunlop]], Katy Tse Blair and Sonny Leong.
In 2018, Wan, along with co-founders Lucy Mitchell and Sarah Lewis, founded and launched the inaugural Golden Chopsticks Awards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chinatown.co.uk/en/news/golden-chopstick-awards-coming/|title=The Golden Chopsticks Awards are coming! {{!}} Chinatown London|date=2018-01-22|work=Chinatown London|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-GB}}</ref> The event took place on 16 April 2018 at the [[Grosvenor House Hotel|London Marriott Hotel]], [[Grosvenor Square]], [[Park Lane|London]] and Wan was host, with judges including [[Ken Hom]], [[Simon Rimmer]], [[Ching He Huang]], [[Fuchsia Dunlop]], Katy Tse Blair and [[Sonny Leong]].


In March 2019, Wan began presenting ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2252292735027681|title=TLC UK Friday 22nd March - Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire|via=Facebook|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2020}} which is the first Northern spin-off of the hit TV show, set in Ava Rose Hamilton in [[Colne]], [[Lancashire]]. It was a family-run business where Wan became an honorary member of the family. Wan helped brides search for their dream dress, with a little input from their friends and family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.2br.co.uk/news/local-news/2660243/lancashire-brides-wanted-for-new-say-yes-to-the-dress-series/|title=2BR - News - Lancashire brides wanted for new 'Say Yes To The Dress' series|website=2br|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref> A second series aired in 2020 on [[TLC (British and Irish TV channel)|TLC UK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truenorth.tv/work/say-yes-to-the-dress-lancashire-series-2/|title=Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire series 2|website=2br|language=en-us}}</ref>
In March 2019, Wan began presenting ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2252292735027681|title=TLC UK Friday 22nd March - Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire|via=Facebook|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2020}} which is the first Northern spin-off of the hit TV show, set in Ava Rose Hamilton in [[Colne]], [[Lancashire]]. It was a family-run business where Wan became an honorary member of the family. Wan helped brides search for their dream dress, with a little input from their friends and family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.2br.co.uk/news/local-news/2660243/lancashire-brides-wanted-for-new-say-yes-to-the-dress-series/|title=2BR - News - Lancashire brides wanted for new 'Say Yes To The Dress' series|website=2br|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref> A second series aired in 2020 on [[TLC (British and Irish TV channel)|TLC UK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truenorth.tv/work/say-yes-to-the-dress-lancashire-series-2/|title=Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire series 2|website=2br|language=en-us}}</ref>
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Wan also filmed a brand new series of ''How to Look Good Naked'', ten years after the last show aired on Channel 4. This new series for [[Discovery Channel (British and Irish TV channel)|Discovery]] aired on [[Really (TV channel)|Really]] in spring 2020 to much anticipation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/when-gok-wan-how-to-look-good-naked-channel-apply/|title=When is Gok Wan's How to Look Good Naked on TV and can you apply? |language=en-us}}</ref>
Wan also filmed a brand new series of ''How to Look Good Naked'', ten years after the last show aired on Channel 4. This new series for [[Discovery Channel (British and Irish TV channel)|Discovery]] aired on [[Really (TV channel)|Really]] in spring 2020 to much anticipation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/when-gok-wan-how-to-look-good-naked-channel-apply/|title=When is Gok Wan's How to Look Good Naked on TV and can you apply? |language=en-us}}</ref>


In 2021 Gok presented Gok Wan's Easy Asian (Series 2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-529ppp/gok-wans-easy-asian-season-2/|title=Gok Wan's Easy Asian series 2|website=radiotimes.com|language=en-us}}</ref> for the [[Food Network (TV Channel)|Food Network]]. Gok also presented Bling<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/gok-wan-hosts-brand-new-itv-series-bling|title=Bling|website=itv.com|language=en-us}}</ref> for [[ITV((TV Channel)|ITV]]
In 2021, Gok presented Gok Wan's Easy Asian (Series 2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-529ppp/gok-wans-easy-asian-season-2/|title=Gok Wan's Easy Asian series 2|website=radiotimes.com|language=en-us}}</ref> for the [[Food Network (TV Channel)|Food Network]]. Gok also presented Bling<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/gok-wan-hosts-brand-new-itv-series-bling|title=Bling|website=itv.com|language=en-us}}</ref> for [[ITV(TV Channel)|ITV]].


===Author===
===Author===
Wan wrote a book titled ''How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion'' which was released by [[HarperCollins]] on 1 October 2008. The book was praised by both ''[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]'' and ''[[Closer (magazine)|Closer]]'' magazines for its sensitive and feel-good approach to a style guide.<ref>{{cite book |title=How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion (Hardcover) |id={{ASIN|0007280335|country=uk}} }}</ref>
Wan wrote a book titled ''How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion'' which was released by [[HarperCollins]] on 1 October 2008. The book was praised by both ''[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]'' and ''[[Closer (magazine)|Closer]]'' magazines for its sensitive and feel-good approach to a style guide.<ref>{{cite book |title=How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion (Hardcover) |id={{ASIN|0007280335|country=uk}} }}</ref>

Other books by Gok include: Through Thick and Thin - Autobiography - 2011;<ref>{{cite book |title=Through Thick and Thin (Hardcover) |id={{ASIN|B00I616J1O|country=uk}} }}</ref> Gok Cooks Chinese - 2012;<ref>{{cite book |title=Gok Cooks Chinese (Hardcover) |id={{ASIN|0718159519|country=uk}} }}</ref> Goks Wok - 2013;<ref>{{cite book |title=Goks Wok (Hardcover) |id={{ASIN|0091957036|country=uk}} }}</ref> How To Look Good Naked - 2007.<ref>{{cite book |title=How To Look Good Naked (Hardcover) |id={{ASIN|0007250355|country=uk}} }}</ref>


===Acting===
===Acting===
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In May 2018, Wan took a job in the animated preschool series ''[[Luo Bao Bei]]'', [[Voice acting|voicing]] the father and uncle of the main character. The show follows Luo Bao Bei, a bright and spirited seven-year-old girl with a vivid imagination, on a quest to understand the world around her. [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]]-owned UK terrestrial network Channel 5 picked up the series for its morning kids' block ''[[Milkshake!]]''. This is a 52×11' series and was written by Dave Ingham (''[[Shaun the Sheep]]'', ''[[The Octonauts]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clothcatanimation.com/project/luo-bao-bei/|title=Luo Bao Bei {{!}} Cloth Cat Animation|website=clothcatanimation.com|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/c5-brings-luo-bao-bei-to-uk/|title=C5 brings Luo Bao Bei to UK|website=C21media|language=en-us|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref>
In May 2018, Wan took a job in the animated preschool series ''[[Luo Bao Bei]]'', [[Voice acting|voicing]] the father and uncle of the main character. The show follows Luo Bao Bei, a bright and spirited seven-year-old girl with a vivid imagination, on a quest to understand the world around her. [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]]-owned UK terrestrial network Channel 5 picked up the series for its morning kids' block ''[[Milkshake!]]''. This is a 52×11' series and was written by Dave Ingham (''[[Shaun the Sheep]]'', ''[[The Octonauts]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clothcatanimation.com/project/luo-bao-bei/|title=Luo Bao Bei {{!}} Cloth Cat Animation|website=clothcatanimation.com|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/c5-brings-luo-bao-bei-to-uk/|title=C5 brings Luo Bao Bei to UK|website=C21media|language=en-us|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref>


In 2021 Gok played the role of The Man In The Mirror in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Woking New Victoria Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fairypoweredproductions.com/gok-wan-stars-as-the-man-in-the-mirror-in-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-at-new-victoria-theatre-woking/|title=GOK WAN STARS as the Man in the Mirror in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS at NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING|website=fairypoweredproductions|language=en-us|access-date=2022-02-21}}</ref>
In 2021, Gok played the role of The Man In The Mirror in ''Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs'' at Woking New Victoria Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fairypoweredproductions.com/gok-wan-stars-as-the-man-in-the-mirror-in-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-at-new-victoria-theatre-woking/|title=GOK WAN STARS as the Man in the Mirror in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS at NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING|website=fairypoweredproductions|date=3 August 2021 |language=en-us|access-date=2022-02-21}}</ref>


===Music===
===Music===
Wan launched an opera [[compilation CD]] in March 2017 called ''Gok's Divas''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Gok Wan- Gok's Divas|date=2017-03-10|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wan-Goks-Divas-Maria-Callas/dp/B01MTDCRQ2|publisher=Warner Classics|access-date=2018-04-10}}</ref> It was well received and reached number one on the Official Classical Compilation charts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/gok-wans-divas-album-lands-at-number-1-on-the-official-classical-compilations-chart__18511/|title=Gok Wan's Divas is this week's Number 1 classical compilation album|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en}}</ref>
Wan launched an opera compilation CD in March 2017 called ''Gok's Divas''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Gok Wan- Gok's Divas|date=2017-03-10|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wan-Goks-Divas-Maria-Callas/dp/B01MTDCRQ2|publisher=Warner Classics|access-date=2018-04-10}}</ref> It was well received and reached number one on the Official Classical Compilation charts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/gok-wans-divas-album-lands-at-number-1-on-the-official-classical-compilations-chart__18511/|title=Gok Wan's Divas is this week's Number 1 classical compilation album|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en}}</ref>


Wan is a big music lover and regularly [[Disc jockey|DJs]] in the UK and abroad. His preferred music is [[house music]] and club classics but enjoys playing a varied range. In 2017, he toured [[Poland]] including Pacha Nightclub in [[Poznań]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/1875522276029773/|title=Gok Wan DJ Tour|via=Facebook|language=en|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2020}} He is represented by Club Class Management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://club-class.org/artists/gok-wan/|title=Gok Wan DJ|website=CLUB CLASS MANAGEMENT|language=en-US}}</ref>
Wan is a big music lover and regularly DJs in the UK and abroad. His preferred music is [[house music]] and club classics but enjoys playing a varied range. In 2017, he toured Poland including Pacha Nightclub in [[Poznań]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/1875522276029773/|title=Gok Wan DJ Tour|via=Facebook|language=en|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2020}} He is represented by Club Class Management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://club-class.org/artists/gok-wan/|title=Gok Wan DJ|website=CLUB CLASS MANAGEMENT|language=en-US}}</ref>


In September 2020, Wan released his debut [[Single (music)|single]], a [[Cover version|cover]] of the [[Baby D (dance group)|Baby D]] song "[[Let Me Be Your Fantasy]]", with DJ/producer Craig Knight featuring [[Kele Le Roc]] on vocals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.traxsource.com/title/1415826/let-me-be-your-fantasy|title=Gok Wan - Let Me Be Your Fantasy|website=TraxSource}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio-pride/entertainment/music/gok-wan-let-me-be-your-fantasy/|title=Gok Wan reveals where he would play his new track 'Let Me Be Your Fantasy'|website=Hits Radio Pride}}</ref>
In September 2020, Wan released his debut single, a cover of the [[Baby D (dance group)|Baby D]] song ''[[Let Me Be Your Fantasy]]'', with DJ/producer Craig Knight featuring [[Kele Le Roc]] on vocals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.traxsource.com/title/1415826/let-me-be-your-fantasy|title=Gok Wan - Let Me Be Your Fantasy|website=TraxSource}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio-pride/entertainment/music/gok-wan-let-me-be-your-fantasy/|title=Gok Wan reveals where he would play his new track 'Let Me Be Your Fantasy'|website=Hits Radio Pride}}</ref>


Isolation Nation compilation CD released in 2020 with Defected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gok-wan-presents-isolation-nation/1544141043|title=Gok Wan - Isolation Nation Compilation}}</ref> A second volume 2 CD compilation was released in 2021 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gok-wan-presents-isolation-nation-vol-2-dj-mix/1593202893|title=Gok Wan - Isolation Nation Compilation Volume 2}}</ref>
Isolation Nation compilation CD released in 2020 with Defected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gok-wan-presents-isolation-nation/1544141043|title=Gok Wan - Isolation Nation Compilation}}</ref> A second volume 2 CD compilation was released in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gok-wan-presents-isolation-nation-vol-2-dj-mix/1593202893|title=Gok Wan - Isolation Nation Compilation Volume 2}}</ref>


===Stand-up===
===Stand-up===
In the autumn of 2017, Wan embarked on an 18-date [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up]] tour of the UK called Naked and Baring All.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/culture/gok-wan-naked-and-baring-all-1052759.html|title=Gok Wan Gets Naked And Bears All in His New Tour|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref> This was an auto-biographical show, where Wan discussed family, work, business, fashion and TV.
In the autumn of 2017, Wan embarked on an 18-date stand-up tour of the UK called ''Naked and Baring All''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/culture/gok-wan-naked-and-baring-all-1052759.html|title=Gok Wan Gets Naked And Bears All in His New Tour|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en}}</ref> This was an auto-biographical show, where Wan discussed family, work, business, fashion and TV.


===Fashion===
===Fashion===
Wan had a lingerie range at UK-based firm SimplyYours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gokwan.com/bio/ |title=Gok Wan Biography }}</ref>
Wan had a lingerie range at UK-based firm ''SimplyYours''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gokwan.com/bio/ |title=Gok Wan Biography }}</ref>


In 2019, Wan signed a deal with [[QVC]] to create a new collection called Wuli:Luu. Wan sold his range on the shopping channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qvcuk.com/_wuli_luu/fashion/_/N-z0gpphZlfma/c.html|title=WULI:LUU by Gok Wan |language=en-us}}</ref>
In 2019, Wan signed a deal with [[QVC]] to create a new collection called Wuli:Luu. Wan sold his range on the shopping channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qvcuk.com/_wuli_luu/fashion/_/N-z0gpphZlfma/c.html|title=WULI:LUU by Gok Wan |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== Radio ===
In October 2024, it was announced that Wan would be Harriet Scott's new co-presenter on the [[Magic (UK radio station)|Magic Radio]] weekday breakfast show from January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Steve |date=2024-10-30 |title=Gok Wan to join Harriet Scott as new Magic Breakfast co-host |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/10/gok-wan-to-join-harriet-scott-as-new-magic-breakfast-co-host/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Wan resides in [[Bloomsbury]], [[London]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metro.news/my-first-home-gok-wan/918054/|title=My First Home: Gok Wan|date=29 January 2018|website=Metro Newspaper UK}}</ref> In 2009, he said he had slept with "21 and a half" men in his life, and that he had also slept with women. In the same interview he also said he had lost his [[virginity]] to another boy whilst they were both under the legal [[age of consent]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23727134-gok-wan-how-i-told-my-parents-i-was-gay.do |title=Gok Wan: How I told my parents I was gay |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |date=3 August 2009 |access-date=9 October 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212185642/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23727134-gok-wan-how-i-told-my-parents-i-was-gay.do |archive-date=12 February 2011}}</ref>
Wan resides in [[Bloomsbury]], London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metro.news/my-first-home-gok-wan/918054/|title=My First Home: Gok Wan|date=29 January 2018|website=Metro Newspaper UK}}</ref> In 2009, he said he had slept with "21 and a half" men in his life, and that he had also slept with women. In the same interview he also said he had lost his virginity to another boy whilst they were both under the legal [[age of consent]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23727134-gok-wan-how-i-told-my-parents-i-was-gay.do |title=Gok Wan: How I told my parents I was gay |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |date=3 August 2009 |access-date=9 October 2010 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212185642/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23727134-gok-wan-how-i-told-my-parents-i-was-gay.do |archive-date=12 February 2011}}</ref>


His brother, Kwoklyn, is a martial artist and cook, who launched a Chinese takeaway cookbook in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwoklynwan.com/chinese-takeaway-cookbook/|title=Chinese Takeaway Cookbook &#124; Kwoklyn Wan|website=kwoklynwan.com}}</ref> He also has an older sister, Oilen, who is a child-care solicitor.<ref name=TimesProfile/>
His brother, Kwoklyn, is a martial artist and cook, who launched a Chinese takeaway cookbook in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwoklynwan.com/chinese-takeaway-cookbook/|title=Chinese Takeaway Cookbook &#124; Kwoklyn Wan|website=kwoklynwan.com|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719132403/https://www.kwoklynwan.com/chinese-takeaway-cookbook/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also has an older sister, Oilen, who is a child-care solicitor.<ref name=TimesProfile/>


Wan has been involved in various charitable projects, supporting anti-bullying charities [[Kidscape]] and [[Ditch the Label]] and launching a National Glasses Day with [[Specsavers]] to encourage everyone to wear their spectacles with pride.<ref>{{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Corrine |title=Video: Gok Wan on finding glasses for your face shape|work=The Times|location=London |date=2 May 2008 |url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3863832.ece |access-date=3 December 2008 }}</ref> As part of [[Children in Need 2008]], he treated the actors of ''[[Coronation Street]]''{{'}}s Underworld factory to a glamorous makeover.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Children in Need set for record |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=15 November 2008 |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?BBC_Children_In_Need_set_for_record&in_article_id=403234&in_page_id=34&in_a_source= |access-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> Wan also appeared in ''[[Comic Relief Does The Apprentice]]'' in March 2009. In 2014, he was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list.<ref>{{cite news|title=World Pride Power List 2014 |url=http://www.worldpridepowerlist.com/ |newspaper=The Guardian |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208160458/http://www.worldpridepowerlist.com/ |archive-date=8 February 2015}}</ref> He is also a supporter and ambassador to [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/therealgokwan/status/1277001162408017924 |title=Gok Wan MBE |via=Twitter}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2020}} and [[The Prince's Trust]], and is an active member of the [[Chinese community in London]] and [[British Chinese|the UK]].
Wan has been involved in various charitable projects, supporting anti-bullying charities [[Kidscape]] and [[Ditch the Label]] and launching a National Glasses Day with [[Specsavers]] to encourage everyone to wear their spectacles with pride.<ref>{{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Corrine |title=Video: Gok Wan on finding glasses for your face shape|work=The Times|location=London |date=2 May 2008 |url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3863832.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719231724/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article3863832.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2008 |access-date=3 December 2008 }}</ref> As part of [[Children in Need 2008]], he treated the actors of ''[[Coronation Street]]''{{'}}s Underworld factory to a glamorous makeover.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Children in Need set for record |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=15 November 2008 |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?BBC_Children_In_Need_set_for_record&in_article_id=403234&in_page_id=34&in_a_source= |access-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> Wan also appeared in ''[[Comic Relief Does The Apprentice]]'' in March 2009. In 2014, he was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list.<ref>{{cite news|title=World Pride Power List 2014 |url=http://www.worldpridepowerlist.com/ |newspaper=The Guardian |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208160458/http://www.worldpridepowerlist.com/ |archive-date=8 February 2015}}</ref> He is also a supporter and ambassador to [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/therealgokwan/status/1277001162408017924 |title=Gok Wan MBE |via=Twitter}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2020}} and [[The Prince's Trust]], and is an active member of the [[Chinese community in London]] and [[British Chinese|the UK]].


Wan has taken part in [[dragon boat]] training with the [[Raging Dragons]], and episode 3 of ''[[Gok Cooks Chinese]]'' features them paddling together in [[Royal Albert Dock, London|Royal Albert Dock]] and eating [[dim sum]] at the Yiban Chinese restaurant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gok-cooks-chinese/4od#3376657 |title=Gok Cooks Chinese – Series 1: Episode 3 |date=4 June 2012 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525065920/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gok-cooks-chinese/4od#3376657 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Wan has taken part in [[dragon boat]] training with the [[Raging Dragons]], and episode 3 of ''Gok Cooks Chinese'' features them paddling together in [[Royal Albert Dock, London|Royal Albert Dock]] and eating [[dim sum]] at the Yiban Chinese restaurant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gok-cooks-chinese/4od#3376657 |title=Gok Cooks Chinese – Series 1: Episode 3 |date=4 June 2012 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525065920/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gok-cooks-chinese/4od#3376657 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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! Channel
! Channel
|-
|-
| 2006–2011, 2019–present
| 2006–2011<br />2019–present
| ''[[How to Look Good Naked]]''
| ''How to Look Good Naked''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[Channel 4]]<br />[[Really (TV channel)|Really]]
| Channel 4<br />Really
|-
|-
⚫
| 2008
⚫
| 2008–2010
| ''Gok's Fashion Fix''
| ''Miss Naked Beauty''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| rowspan=4|[[Channel 4]]
| rowspan="4" |Channel 4
|-
|-
⚫
| 2008–2010
⚫
| 2008
| ''[[Miss Naked Beauty]]''
| ''Gok's Fashion Fix''
| Presenter
| Presenter
|-
|-
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| ''Gok's Clothes Roadshow''
| ''Gok's Clothes Roadshow''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| rowspan=8|[[Channel 4]]
| rowspan="9" |Channel 4
|-
|-
| rowspan=6|2012
| rowspan=6|2012
Line 153: Line 157:
| Bar manager
| Bar manager
|-
|-
| ''[[Baggage (UK game show)|Baggage]]''
| ''Baggage''
| Presenter
| Presenter
|-
|-
| ''[[Gok Cooks Chinese]]''
| ''Gok Cooks Chinese''
| Presenter
| Presenter
|-
|-
Line 164: Line 168:
| ''Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth''
| ''Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth''
| Presenter
| Presenter
|-
| 2013
|''[[Deal or No Deal (British game show)|Celebrity Deal or No Deal]]''
|Contestant, won 10p
|-
|-
| rowspan=3|2014
| rowspan=3|2014
Line 169: Line 177:
| Fashion segment presenter
| Fashion segment presenter
|-
|-
| ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]''
| ''This Morning''
| Fashion expert & stand-in presenter
| Fashion expert & stand-in presenter
| ITV
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|-
|-
| ''Target Style The Nation''
| ''Target Style The Nation''
Line 180: Line 188:
| ''Fearne & Gok: Off The Rails''
| ''Fearne & Gok: Off The Rails''
| Co-presenter, with [[Fearne Cotton]]
| Co-presenter, with [[Fearne Cotton]]
| [[ITVBe]]
| ITVBe
|-
|-
| ''Gok's Lunchbox''
| ''Gok's Lunchbox''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| ITV
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|-
|-
| ''Gok's Fill Your House for Free''
| ''Gok's Fill Your House for Free''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[Channel 4]]
| Channel 4
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|2017
| rowspan=2|2017
| ''Made Over By''
| ''Made Over By''
| Fashion Expert
| Fashion Expert
| E4
| [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]]
|-
|-[
| ''Gok's Chinese Takeaway''
| ''Gok's Chinese Takeaway''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[National Geographic (British and Irish TV channel)|National Geographic]]
| National Geographic
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|2018
| rowspan=2|2018
| ''Britain's Favourite Dogs: Top 100''
| ''Britain's Favourite Dogs: Top 100''
| Panel member
| Panel member
| ITV
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|-
|-
| ''Luo Bao Bei''
| ''Luo Bao Bei''
Line 215: Line 223:
| ''This Morning''
| ''This Morning''
| Presenting various fashion items
| Presenting various fashion items
| ITV
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|-
|-
| ''Can I Improve My Memory''
| ''Can I Improve My Memory''
| Contestant
| Contestant
| [[Channel 4]]
| Channel 4
|-
|-
| ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'' (Series 1)
| ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'' (Series 1)
| Presenter
| Presenter
| rowspan="2" | TLC
| [[TLC (British and Irish TV channel)|TLC]]
|-
|-
| ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'' (Series 2 end of 2019 & start of 2020)
| ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'' (Series 2 end of 2019 & start of 2020)
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[TLC (British and Irish TV channel)|TLC]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=8|2020
| rowspan=8|2020
| ''Gok Wan's Easy Asian''
| ''Gok Wan's Easy Asian''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[Food Network]]
| Food Network
|-
|-
| ''How To Look Good Naked''
| ''How To Look Good Naked''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[Really (TV channel)]]
| Really
|-
|-
| ''This Morning''
| ''This Morning''
| Presenting various fashion items
| Presenting various fashion items
| ITV
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|-
|-
| ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'' (Series 2)
| ''Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire'' (Series 2)
| Presenter
| Presenter
| TLC
| [[TLC (British and Irish TV channel)|TLC]]
|-
|-
| ''Celebrity Snoop Dogs at Christmas''
| ''Celebrity Snoop Dogs at Christmas''
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[Channel 4]]
| Channel 4
|-
|-
| ''Pointless''
| ''Pointless''
| Contestant
| Contestant
| [[BBC 1]]
| rowspan="2" | [[BBC One]]
|-
|-
| ''Michael McIntyre's The Wheel''
| ''Michael McIntyre's The Wheel''
| Fashion Expert
| Fashion Expert
| [[BBC 1]]
|-
|-
| ''Gok Wan's Fabulous Christmas 50''
| ''Gok Wan's Fabulous Christmas 50''
Line 265: Line 271:
| ''Gok Wan's Easy Asian'' (Series 2)
| ''Gok Wan's Easy Asian'' (Series 2)
| Presenter
| Presenter
| [[Food Network]]
| Food Network
|-
|-
| ''Bling''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/gok-wan-hosts-brand-new-itv-series-bling|title=Gok Wan hosts brand new ITV series Bling|website=itv.com/presscentre|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref>
| ''Bling''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/gok-wan-hosts-brand-new-itv-series-bling|title=Gok Wan hosts brand new ITV series Bling|website=itv.com/presscentre|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref>
| Presenter
| Presenter
| ITV
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|}
|}


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[[Category:English fashion journalists]]
[[Category:English fashion journalists]]
[[Category:Fashion stylists]]
[[Category:Fashion stylists]]
[[Category:British gay writers]]
[[Category:English gay writers]]
[[Category:LGBT broadcasters from the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:English gay artists]]
[[Category:LGBT fashion designers]]
[[Category:English gay musicians]]
[[Category:LGBT journalists from the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ broadcasters]]
[[Category:People from Leicester]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ journalists]]
[[Category:LGBTQ fashion designers]]
⚫
[[Category:LGBTQ chefs]]
[[Category:LGBTQ DJs]]
[[Category:Gay journalists]]
[[Category:Male actors from Leicester]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Leicestershire]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Leicestershire]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
⚫
[[Category:LGBT chefs]]

Latest revision as of 09:40, 1 November 2024

Gok Wan
MBE
Wan in 2012
Born (1974-09-09) 9 September 1974 (age 50)
Leicester, Leicestershire, England
Alma materRoyal Central School of Speech and Drama
Occupation(s)Television presenter, fashion stylist, author, DJ
Years active1994–present
Employer(s)BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Discovery
TelevisionHow to Look Good Naked
Gok's Fashion Fix
Miss Naked Beauty
Gok's Clothes Roadshow
Gok Cooks Chinese
Baggage
This Morning
Gok's Fill Your House For Free
Gok's Chinese Takeaway
Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire
WebsiteOfficial website

Gok Wan MBE (simplified Chinese: 温国兴; traditional Chinese: 溫國興; pinyin: Wēn Guóxìng; Cantonese Yale: Wān Gwok-hīng; born 9 September 1974[1]) is a British fashion consultant, author, television presenter, actor, DJ and chef.

Initially training in the performing arts at the Central School of Speech and Drama, he then entered the fashion business, writing for popular fashion magazines and appearing on various television shows. In 2006, Channel 4 employed him to present his own television show, How to Look Good Naked, which lasted for seven series,[2] and Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire.[3] Moving into other genres, he presented a series of documentaries on social problems among young people, drawing on his personal battles with obesity and homophobia, and presented Chinese cooking shows entitled Gok Cooks Chinese[4] and Gok's Chinese Takeaway.[5]

Early life

Gok Wan was born in Leicester, to an English mother, Myra, and a Chinese father, John Tung Shing Wan, who was born in Hong Kong and emigrated to Britain at the age of 16.[6] He grew up in Whetstone, Leicestershire, where he worked in his parents' restaurant. Wan stood out from his peers from a young age and endured bullying from other children due to the fact that he was mixed race, tall, overweight and gay.[7][8]

During his teenage years, he weighed as much as 21 stone (133 kg, 294 lb).[9] He was drawn to performing arts with aspirations of becoming an actor, and after leaving Babington Community College he began attending a course at the Charles Keene College of Further Education. Wan received a diploma from the college, then enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama and continued to study performing arts. However, the other students had backgrounds very different from his and he felt that his weight was beginning to dictate his life, later saying:

"[It affected] everything: my personality, how people reacted to me, what I wore, everything. When you sit down with someone who's 21 stone you have certain expectations of what they're like: stupid, lazy or really funny."[8]

He felt restricted and unhappy and eventually dropped out of the course, returning to live with his family.

Wan set about losing weight; at the age of 20, he began a crash diet, losing half his weight in several months. In his autobiography he includes a section from a calorie diary he kept at the time, revealing he survived for weeks on end on as little as fruit and honey. He also took up to 50 laxatives a day to prevent himself gaining weight from the little food he did consume. Wan reveals that during his diet, he lacked energy and motivation; this, coupled with the stress of his course, sent him into depression. He states that he became suicidal around this time – "I fantasised about killing myself – I could see no other way out...I concluded that suicide was the only option." Wan never did attempt to kill himself, stating a fear that he would be unsuccessful and the attempt would be regarded as "just another failing". Upon dropping out of his course and returning home, he confessed his feelings to his family, and was diagnosed as suffering from anorexia by a doctor. Under the supervision of his family he began to eat more and slowly increased to a healthier weight. Despite the sudden change, he had no problem with having been overweight, later reflecting: "I don't regret having been fat at all. I know how to throw jokes at myself and I use humour before anything else, and those skills allow me to do the chat-shows. So I'm thankful for that."[8] He even lamented that, after losing weight, he had to try harder to attract attention, saying that his weight had, to an extent, defined him.[6]

Career

Wan started his career in London as a makeup artist, then moved into the field of being a fashion stylist.[10] He has worked with many celebrities including Bryan Ferry, All Saints, Damian Lewis, Erasure, Vanessa Mae, Wade Robson, Lauren Laverne, Wet Wet Wet, and Johnny Vaughan. He has offered his opinions to magazines, becoming a fashion consultant, and his work has been published internationally in several magazines including Tatler, Glamour, Times Style, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, The Face, Afisha Mir, Clash and People. He has worked with photographers such as Rankin, Mike Owen and Jason Joyce. He has also worked as an "on-screen" fashion consultant on many television shows including: MTV Shakedown (MTV Europe), GMTV (ITV), LK Today (ITV), Big Brother's Little Brother (Channel 4), Battle of the Sexes (BBC One), The Wright Stuff (Channel 5), Make Me a Grown Up (Channel 4/T4), The Xtra Factor (ITV2) and T4 (Channel 4).

In 2006, he was approached by Channel 4 and asked to present his own fashion show, How to Look Good Naked. In addition, he wrote his first book[11] to accompany the series, entitled How to Look Good Naked: Shop for Your Shape and Look Amazing!, that was published in April 2007. A second series was commissioned and was broadcast on Channel 4 in mid-2007. Along with the second series, he appeared on The New Paul O'Grady Show, in which he persuaded Paul O'Grady to strip "naked". From 2008 until 2010, he presented Gok's Fashion Fix, broadcast on Channel 4.

His next series Miss Naked Beauty, which he co-presented with Myleene Klass, was broadcast in October and November 2008.[12] The series attracted controversy after Wan denigrated semi-naked women, causing critics to question the motives behind the series; journalist Amanda Platell described it as "vulgarity masquerading as self-help".[6]

Wan presented a documentary which was first broadcast on 27 January 2009, entitled Too Fat Too Young, which examined overweight children in the UK. He reflected on his experience of being obese to help several teenagers. In 2010, he joined the celebrity panel on Channel 4's TV Book Club.[13]

In 2011, he presented a series entitled Gok's Clothes Roadshow on Channel 4, which was criticised for its gimmicks and similarities to Wan's previous shows.[14] This was the year he also released his much anticipated autobiography, Through Thick and Thin, published by Ebury Press.[15] He launched his first women's clothing collection with Sainsbury's on 6 November 2011. His red wrap dress sold at a rate of one every 24 seconds.[16] The range ran into 24 collections and Wan was also their Style Ambassador.[17] In 2012, he starred in a new series entitled Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth on Channel 4 where he gave advice to teenagers about self-confidence, bullying, anxiety and eating disorders.[18]

In 2012, he presented a series entitled Gok Cooks Chinese on Channel 4 and later a book by the same title, Gok Cooks Chinese was published by Michael Joseph (Penguin Group UK).[19] In autumn 2012,[when?] Wan presented Baggage, which was broadcast on Channel 4.[20]

Between 2013 and 2015, Wan was the Style & Quality Ambassador for the Target Australia brand. As part of his role, he presented an Australian TV show titled Target Style the Nation, in which he transformed the appearances of five women.[21] Wan's employer dismissed concerns about his use of the term "bangers" as a description for women's breasts in the brand's adverts.[22]

In June 2014, Wan attended Royal Ascot for the first time as fashion presenter alongside racing presenter Clare Balding on Channel 4 Racing.[23]

Wan was a regular stand-in presenter for Phillip Schofield on ITV's daytime show This Morning. He also presents various weekly fashion features, and travel documentaries, including a trip with his Dad to explore two different sides to Hong Kong, covering food, family and fashion.[24]

In 2016, Wan presented Fearne and Gok – Off the Rails[25] on ITVBe and Gok's Lunchbox[26] on ITV. Since August 2016, Wan has presented Gok's Fill Your House for Free for Channel 4 daytime, replacing Kirstie Allsopp.[27]

In 2017, National Geographic aired his show Gok's Chinese Takeaway, that explored Chinese food around the globe.[28]

In 2017, Wan was a fashion expert on Made Over By on E4[29] and 2018 saw Wan as a panel member on Britain's Favourite Dogs: Top 100 on ITV.[30]

In both 2016 and 2017, Wan was the Ambassador for the American Express campaign, "Shop Small" where he championed small independent shops and the importance of shopping with local businesses.[31]

In 2018, Wan launched a company, Beautiful Events and Productions Ltd[32] which offered high-end event management services – everything from creative production to logistics and event management.[33] The new venture started after Wan and his business partner Peter Ferguson[34] produced a 21-date tour around the UK and Ireland of Wan's show entitled 'Fashion Brunch Club' (2016/17).[35][36] These shows are a live version of what Wan offered in his previous TV show How to Look Good Naked. The guests experience a 5 star Brunch, and catwalk show of clothes from their local clothing stores, along with a surprise audience makeover and Wan also provides a much coveted body-shape masterclass.[37]

In 2018, Wan, along with co-founders Lucy Mitchell and Sarah Lewis, founded and launched the inaugural Golden Chopsticks Awards.[38] The event took place on 16 April 2018 at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London and Wan was host, with judges including Ken Hom, Simon Rimmer, Ching He Huang, Fuchsia Dunlop, Katy Tse Blair and Sonny Leong.

In March 2019, Wan began presenting Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire,[39][non-primary source needed] which is the first Northern spin-off of the hit TV show, set in Ava Rose Hamilton in Colne, Lancashire. It was a family-run business where Wan became an honorary member of the family. Wan helped brides search for their dream dress, with a little input from their friends and family.[40] A second series aired in 2020 on TLC UK.[41]

Wan also filmed a brand new series of How to Look Good Naked, ten years after the last show aired on Channel 4. This new series for Discovery aired on Really in spring 2020 to much anticipation.[42]

In 2021, Gok presented Gok Wan's Easy Asian (Series 2)[43] for the Food Network. Gok also presented Bling[44] for ITV.

Author

Wan wrote a book titled How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion which was released by HarperCollins on 1 October 2008. The book was praised by both Heat and Closer magazines for its sensitive and feel-good approach to a style guide.[45]

Other books by Gok include: Through Thick and Thin - Autobiography - 2011;[46] Gok Cooks Chinese - 2012;[47] Goks Wok - 2013;[48] How To Look Good Naked - 2007.[49]

Acting

Wan made his pantomime debut as the Man in the Mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Birmingham Hippodrome in 2013[50] and since then has starred as the Fairy Gokmother in Cinderella opposite Brian Conley at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (2014)[51] and Paul Zerdin at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth (2015).[52] In 2016 he played the part of Spirit of The Ocean in Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea.[53] 2017 saw Wan reprising his role as Fairy Gokmother in Cinderella at the Milton Keynes Theatre.[54] In 2018 Wan performed in Bristol in the production of Cinderella,[55] and likewise in 2019 in Cardiff.[56]

In May 2018, Wan took a job in the animated preschool series Luo Bao Bei, voicing the father and uncle of the main character. The show follows Luo Bao Bei, a bright and spirited seven-year-old girl with a vivid imagination, on a quest to understand the world around her. Viacom-owned UK terrestrial network Channel 5 picked up the series for its morning kids' block Milkshake!. This is a 52×11' series and was written by Dave Ingham (Shaun the Sheep, The Octonauts).[57][58]

In 2021, Gok played the role of The Man In The Mirror in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Woking New Victoria Theatre.[59]

Music

Wan launched an opera compilation CD in March 2017 called Gok's Divas.[60] It was well received and reached number one on the Official Classical Compilation charts.[61]

Wan is a big music lover and regularly DJs in the UK and abroad. His preferred music is house music and club classics but enjoys playing a varied range. In 2017, he toured Poland including Pacha Nightclub in Poznań.[62][non-primary source needed] He is represented by Club Class Management.[63]

In September 2020, Wan released his debut single, a cover of the Baby D song Let Me Be Your Fantasy, with DJ/producer Craig Knight featuring Kele Le Roc on vocals.[64][65]

Isolation Nation compilation CD released in 2020 with Defected.[66] A second volume 2 CD compilation was released in 2021.[67]

Stand-up

In the autumn of 2017, Wan embarked on an 18-date stand-up tour of the UK called Naked and Baring All.[68] This was an auto-biographical show, where Wan discussed family, work, business, fashion and TV.

Fashion

Wan had a lingerie range at UK-based firm SimplyYours.[69]

In 2019, Wan signed a deal with QVC to create a new collection called Wuli:Luu. Wan sold his range on the shopping channel.[70]

Radio

In October 2024, it was announced that Wan would be Harriet Scott's new co-presenter on the Magic Radio weekday breakfast show from January 2025.[71]

Personal life

Wan resides in Bloomsbury, London.[72] In 2009, he said he had slept with "21 and a half" men in his life, and that he had also slept with women. In the same interview he also said he had lost his virginity to another boy whilst they were both under the legal age of consent.[73]

His brother, Kwoklyn, is a martial artist and cook, who launched a Chinese takeaway cookbook in 2019.[74] He also has an older sister, Oilen, who is a child-care solicitor.[6]

Wan has been involved in various charitable projects, supporting anti-bullying charities Kidscape and Ditch the Label and launching a National Glasses Day with Specsavers to encourage everyone to wear their spectacles with pride.[75] As part of Children in Need 2008, he treated the actors of Coronation Street's Underworld factory to a glamorous makeover.[76] Wan also appeared in Comic Relief Does The Apprentice in March 2009. In 2014, he was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list.[77] He is also a supporter and ambassador to Stonewall,[78][non-primary source needed] and The Prince's Trust, and is an active member of the Chinese community in London and the UK.

Wan has taken part in dragon boat training with the Raging Dragons, and episode 3 of Gok Cooks Chinese features them paddling together in Royal Albert Dock and eating dim sum at the Yiban Chinese restaurant.[79]

Filmography

Year Title Role Channel
2006–2011
2019–present 		How to Look Good Naked Presenter Channel 4
Really
2008 Miss Naked Beauty Presenter Channel 4
2008–2010 Gok's Fashion Fix Presenter
2009 Gok Wan: Too Fat, Too Young Presenter
2010 TV Book Club Presenter
Sex and the City Premiere Special Panel member
2011 Gok's Clothes Roadshow Presenter Channel 4
2012 Gok's Style Secrets Presenter
Hotel GB Bar manager
Baggage Presenter
Gok Cooks Chinese Presenter
Made in China Presenter
Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth Presenter
2013 Celebrity Deal or No Deal Contestant, won 10p
2014 Channel 4 Royal Ascot Fashion segment presenter
This Morning Fashion expert & stand-in presenter ITV
Target Style The Nation Fashion expert & presenter Seven Network
2016 Fearne & Gok: Off The Rails Co-presenter, with Fearne Cotton ITVBe
Gok's Lunchbox Presenter ITV
Gok's Fill Your House for Free Presenter Channel 4
2017 Made Over By Fashion Expert E4
Gok's Chinese Takeaway Presenter National Geographic
2018 Britain's Favourite Dogs: Top 100 Panel member ITV
Luo Bao Bei Voice of Luo Bao Bei's father Channel 5
2019 Say Yes To The Dress Poland Presenter TVN (Polish TV channel)
This Morning Presenting various fashion items ITV
Can I Improve My Memory Contestant Channel 4
Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire (Series 1) Presenter TLC
Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire (Series 2 end of 2019 & start of 2020) Presenter
2020 Gok Wan's Easy Asian Presenter Food Network
How To Look Good Naked Presenter Really
This Morning Presenting various fashion items ITV
Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire (Series 2) Presenter TLC
Celebrity Snoop Dogs at Christmas Presenter Channel 4
Pointless Contestant BBC One
Michael McIntyre's The Wheel Fashion Expert
Gok Wan's Fabulous Christmas 50 Presenter MTV (British and Irish TV channel)
2021 Gok Wan's Easy Asian (Series 2) Presenter Food Network
Bling[80] Presenter ITV

Honours

Wan was awarded an honorary degree in fashion from Birmingham City University in 2014.[81]

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to fashion and social awareness.[82]

References

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