For the past two years, British television personality and former boy bander Dane Bowers has made Dubai his home. His goal? To be a presenter by day, and DJ by night.
Once a part of the ‘90s R’n’B boyband Another Level, Bowers can now be spotted spinning sets around Dubai. Last month, he hosted an Ultimate ’90s Throwback party at new hotspot House Party (“It’s a ‘90s themed bar, which is obviously my era of music,” Bowers tells Gulf News tabloid!), and he steps behind the decks every Tuesday at Atelier M for their ladies night.
But the one-time Victoria Beckham collaborator has switched tracks with his latest venture: Come Dine Dubai. The new web series, which harks back to Bowers TV hosting days in the UK, aims to showcase different restaurants around the city. With packages ranging from Dh4,000 to Dh15,000, venues can pay to be filmed and featured across the series’ social media platforms.
“Everything seems to be very much word of mouth in Dubai — we all hear about how amazing a restaurant is and how you should go there. I just think there is nothing really interactive … so I thought, why not actually go to these restaurants and show people what they offer and what they’re actually like?” said Bowers, of the concept.
The 38-year-old Londoner is no stranger to being in front of a camera. His previous appearances have included Celebrity Big Brother 7, and the celebrity edition of Come Dine With Me in 2009. Bowers says there is no connection between Come Dine Dubai and the Come Dine with Me brand.
“I did Come Dine with Me in England, quite a few years ago now, and when I won that, it kind of got me onto a lot of other cooking shows and recipe books. I do like the fact that people do think about Come Dine With Me, but it’s a very different concept,” he said.
Hosting a web series on food may not go hand-in-hand with DJing, but Bowers considers himself a jack of all trades, thanks to his early career paths.
“I presented TV shows when I was 19, 20. I did a show called Smash TV with Tess Daly in England. I presented Popstars: The Rivals, which was the show that Girls Aloud were found on. Musically, I’ve been DJing since I was 15… I would always be DJing,” said Bowers.
“In the summer, I’m usually in Ibiza or Vegas. And then, you know, two years ago I come over here for the winter, and I just feel like it’s a place I’d like to settle,” he continued.
“I’m 38 now, I’m getting on. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years now, in general, you know. With [former boy band] Another Level, we released our first single when I was 18 — a long time ago now,” said Bowers.
Eventually, he would like to expand his Come Dine Dubai concept.
“I kind of want to be the one stop shop for anything for you to go and visit, whether it be a restaurant, a nightclub, an activity-based event, or anything, really. But for now, I need to concentrate on the food.”
