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What happened to the ultimate noughties party boy Fran Cosgrave: Reality star was left bankrupt and on verge of being homeless after party days with Calum Best – now he’s unrecognisable after huge career shift

BBG News

As a devotee reflecting on the past, I can’t help but reminisce about the iconic figure that Fran Cosgrave embodied during the noughties. From his triumphant debut on Love Island, setting the stage for reality TV stardom, to his close bond with Callum Best, our cultural landscape seemed to revolve around him. Add to that his connections with Westlife and Atomic Kitten, and it’s no exaggeration to say he was a living symbol of noughties pop culture. And let’s not forget the iconic frosted tips that were as much a part of him as the cultural impact he made!

Influencer culture has led to numerous modern celebrities being recognized without a clear natural talent; however, the nightclub owner from Dublin can be considered as the pioneer of the “famous for being famous” phenomenon, leaving people puzzled about what made him frequently appear on their screens all of a sudden.

His initial noteworthy achievement involved working as a bodyguard for the popular boyband Westlife. Subsequently, his engagement to Natasha Hamilton created a significant connection between Westlife and Atomic Kitten; it’s worth mentioning that Brian McFadden, husband of Kerry Katona, was also linked with these groups.

After my split with Natasha, I found myself in a relationship with Jodie Marsh. Our public displays of affection were as frequent as Jodie’s reality show appearances. However, our relationship came to an end on a sour note when she accused me of infidelity with her friend and criticized my party-centric lifestyle alongside Calum Best.

In his own words, Fran found himself in a downward spiral, confessing to Joe.ie that he awoke one day financially ruined, weighing significantly more than usual, dependent on antidepressants, unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, teetering on the edge of homelessness – essentially, as unhappy as he’d ever been in his life.

Twenty years have passed since Fran Cosgrave initially gained public attention, and now he appears significantly different from his reality TV era. He has given up the spotlight to pursue a career as a DJ and start his own coffee business instead.

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Previously operating a nightclub, now aged 47, he has moved past his wild party phase. When traveling, he stated that there is absolutely no alcohol consumption nor any form of partying involved.

I’m taking care of my diet, fitting in workouts and exercise wherever I am, practicing mindfulness, and ensuring I get plenty of rest.

Currently, his primary attention is dedicated to managing RUUD Coffee, a company he established this year following the introduction of his personalized coffee blends and label, Concrete Coffee, back in 2024.

Apart from television, Fran has chosen to follow his love for house music, adopting the stage name Futuristic Polar Bears. Now, he’s a globetrotting DJ.

He’s responsible for some popular tunes, including Running Wild and Damaged, while his Instagram bio reveals that he boasts an impressive 90 million streams on Spotify.

Frequently, this renowned Irish artist posts his tunes and performances for his fans, embarking on global tours that have taken him to various destinations such as Thailand, Ibiza, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Russia, and Brazil.

Though Fran might seem unfamiliar to fans who recall him from the 2000s, due to his transformation that includes shedding his mohawk, adding extra muscle mass, and sporting an array of intricate tattoos on his biceps.

It seems he’s quite passionate about staying in shape and working out at the gym, often posting shirtless photos showcasing his well-sculpted body on social media platform X.

First, it’s worth noting that he gained recognition as a bodyguard for the popular boy band Westlife before appearing on “I’m A Celebrity” in 2004. During his stint on the show, he finished in third place, behind Joe Pasquale and Paul Burrell.

The next season saw him on the premiere edition of Celebrity Love Island, ultimately sharing the victory with Jayne Middlemiss as the first winners.

Their relationship didn’t last long; instead, they parted paths, yet Fran kept a strong bond with fellow island dwellers Callum Best and Paul Danan.

In the year 2006, the threesome came back together for a brief stint on a reality TV series named “Calum, Fran, and Dangerous Danan.” This program followed their journey from Texas to Los Angeles along Route 66.

In 2006, the group got back together for a short-lived reality show called Calum, Fran, and Dangerous Danan. The show chronicled their road trip from Texas to Los Angeles, taking Route 66 as their route.

Additionally, he published his autobiography titled “Reality Check” during that year as well. It chronicled his journey from living in a housing estate in the south of Ireland, to achieving fame.

Later on, Fran tried, but unfortunately didn’t succeed, in achieving pop stardom when they signed with Skint Records and put out the song “Jetsetter” in August of that same year.

Apart from participating in the Channel 4 reality series, “Fool Around With”, he was assigned the challenge of identifying which out of the four ladies were currently unattached.

Moreover, his personal life made tabloid news as well, featuring romantic connections with Natasha Hamilton from Atomic Kitten and model Jodie Marsh.

His love affairs were often front-page news, involving relationships with the famous pop star Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten and glamorous model Jodie Marsh.

In 2001, when Fran was at the pinnacle of her fame, she began dating Natasha. They had a son named Josh, now 22 years old, in August 2002. However, they parted ways the following year, only to get back together briefly in 2005 before splitting up once more.

At that point in time, the singer expressed that they were both young and he was working until 6 am. Given these circumstances, it was inevitable for things to unravel between them.

Additionally, between the years 2003 and 2004, Fran was involved in a romantic relationship with Jodie. They were frequently spotted at lively, eye-catching public events as a couple.

In simpler terms, after they broke up, the woman who used to be featured on page 3 publicly criticized him. She stated that the reason for their separation was his excessive alcohol consumption, dependence on Viagra during intimate moments, and infidelity, as he allegedly cheated on her with one of her friends.

During an interview with The Sunday People in 2004, Jodie asserted that she found out she was carrying his child a week following their separation. However, when she phoned to share this news, he allegedly shouted at her and refused to believe it, insisting instead that she was lying.

She expressed: “I had no intention of reconciling with Fran; to me, our relationship was done and dusted. I believed that, being the father, Fran deserved to be informed and have some input in the situation. However, he exploded on the phone at me, labeling me a deceitful liar, accusing me of seeking attention, and claiming I was fabricating the whole thing.

Overwhelmed by the way he spoke to me, someone I once held dear, I found myself questioning our potential future together. I wouldn’t have wanted to bring a child into a world with a man like him. He had a history of excessive drinking and womanizing, and if his behavior towards me was any indication, what kind of father would he become?

Initially, Jodie mentioned that he was kind and watchful. Later, though, he became hostile and domineering, yet she chose not to acknowledge this behavior due to her affection for him.

I covered all his expenses – his rent, his wardrobe, his meals and drinks, our weekend getaways. I shelled out approximately 60,000 pounds on Fran, but the most he ever bought me as a gift was a bouquet of flowers from a garage for my birthday. He seemed to have no sense of embarrassment or dignity about his actions.

She asserted that Fran made me feel uncertain and insecure, and he often went out in the evenings, occasionally returning in a highly intoxicated state, stumbling and throwing up.

Following his admission about being intimate with one of her close friends, she announced their breakup, stating: “That act felt like the ultimate betrayal to me, so I evicted him from my home. Suddenly, it became clear to me how I had allowed myself to be walked all over by this man.

In the year 2005, Jodie expressed to The Telegraph, ‘I thought I couldn’t survive without him. However, it was his infidelity with my friend that sparked a realization within me, and I exclaimed, “Snap out of it, you foolish girl!”‘

Following his decision to step away from fame, Fran found happiness as a dedicated parent to daughter Patience Elisabeth, aged 15, and son Elijah, who is 14, together with his partner Elle Crawforth.

He mentioned that he finds greatest joy when at home with his loved ones, acknowledging that he now steers clear of the social circles associated with parties, which were once a regular part of his life during his younger days.

Frank openly acknowledged that his time under the limelight was a rollercoaster, filled with just as many downs as ups. He struggled with bouts of depression and financial ruin when his nightclub venture failed.

In the year 2019, he looked back at his meteoric rise to stardom following his time on Love Island, reminiscing: ‘I found myself on Oxford Street, and the crowd’s shouts echoed through the streets as people dashed out of stores for a signature – it seems improbable now, but it was utterly madcap.’

I performed a DJ set up north, but due to an overwhelming crowd rush near the stage, they had to remove me from the turntables. Later, I spent about 20 minutes signing autographs at Tesco.

As a faithful adherent, I’ll share my personal experience that echoes his. Amidst the crowd, there were some who hurled scathing remarks at me, comments so harsh they felt like a merciless onslaught. This constant barrage left me feeling dejected and seeking solace in food, which led to a weight gain of approximately four and a half stones. The emotional toll took its physical form as well, with significant hair loss adding to my woes.

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Fran confessed that there was a period when she didn’t resemble her usual self. People were criticizing her harshly, and she felt compelled to endure the criticism.

He pointed out that the safety measures for contestant mental health, which are now in place at ITV, weren’t there when he participated in the show back in 2005.

He mentioned: “It seems there was nothing similar to that, and it’s not surprising that some individuals on the program faced difficult days, given they were there for approximately 11 to 12 weeks.

Engaging in a conversation with someone, be it in a humble abode or wherever, can seem effortless, yet the unforeseen hurdles that may follow are often overlooked – that’s the reality of stardom. I caution others all the time, to never let fame consume them.

As he grew older, he found it challenging to advance in his career, eventually expressing frustration with the industry by 2008, stating: ‘For us (him and Calum), it was all about partying. At some point, I felt like I couldn’t carry on anymore.’

Over time, more young individuals started appearing within the environment, but it no longer seemed suitable for me. I found myself at a crossroads, needing to strategize my next step, which ultimately led me to encounter significant personal hurdles.

Moving from one phase to another proved incredibly challenging, and I yearned for a return to my routine lifestyle. Much of what I was involved with within the nightclub scene felt overwhelming, and I wanted some distance from it all.

Earlier on RTE 2FM, Fran mentioned that he started turning down television opportunities and distancing himself from the limelight of the celebrity world.

He warned: “Don’t get overly attached to fame since it can vanish as swiftly as it appeared. By the year 2009, things began to spiral slightly, which is not uncommon.

As a die-hard fan, I found myself growing weary of the glitz and glamour that comes with being associated with celebrities. I began turning down numerous offers for various shows, and my interest in the limelight waned significantly.

‘I’ve moved on from that phase.’

In 2009, he parted ways with his final nightclub by selling it to Peter Stringfellow. Since then, he has devoted himself to learning and pursuing a newfound interest in personal coaching, stating that this change helped him tremendously, even going as far as saying ‘it was the key to my survival’.

Despite his earlier statement that he’d gladly jump back into reality TV, he’s never been happier.

In a straightforward manner, Fran shared with the Mail: “If an opportunity arises, I would jump at it without hesitation, but truthfully, it’s all good if it doesn’t. At this moment, I’ve never been happier in my entire life – I’ve found a way to transform my passions and aspirations into my daily existence. However, I am aware that I’m one of the fortunate exceptions.

In my experience as a lifestyle guide, I’d like to caution today’s aspiring celebrities about the allure of fame. It often appears artificially boosted, and the reality is, only a rare few manage to sustain it in the long run.

When faced with problems, people tend to scrutinize their surroundings, questioning who or what might be causing them, yet a crucial insight I gleaned during those times was to examine my own actions more closely, recognizing that I had been the one responsible for poor choices.

For me, that was a significant turning point. I swiftly realized the importance of avoiding being engulfed by it. It’s like a bubble of disillusionment, and before long, you become accustomed to dealing with the negativity expressed by others.

A potential issue with modern-day reality stars lies in the fact that they’re often pulling children away from typical employment settings like working at Tesco, only to immerse them in a world of artificial fame. This celebrity environment is overly exaggerated and not reflective of reality.

As a devoted follower, I’ve observed that fleeting moments of success often deceive us with the belief, “I’ve reached my destination.” However, sustaining that success is a challenge that only a select few manage to conquer. The allure of fame, as portrayed on television, significantly alters the aspirations of young minds, giving them unrealistic expectations about their own potential stardom.

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2025-06-01 11:05

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