Big Brother contestant Rex Newmark’s constant TV plugs for his restaurant, Beach Blanket Babylon, have resulted in a £1m boom in business it has been claimed.
A source from the restaurant told the Daily Star that business at Rex’s family’s restaurant in Notting Hill has soared since his appearance on the Channel Four reality show, claiming that the “places have been packed out every night and they have pulled in at least a million.”
Rex is the Executive Chef for the family-owned restaurants in Shoreditch and Notting Hill, which serves a seasonal brasserie menu including foie gras, caviar, lobster and chateaubriand. His constant references to the restaurants have annoyed housemates but have apparently boosted business over the past few weeks.
However, Rex’s father and Beach Blanket Babylon owner Robert Newmark last night denied the claims, saying the restaurants were doing well anyway. He told BigHospitality that “any publicity is good publicity, and sure he talks about it, but fortunately we’re busy anyway.”
Robert confirmed plans for a new restaurant but is keeping plans under wraps for the moment. Meanwhile, Rex’s brother Dexter has claimed the new TV star has received numerous offers via their father for a cookery show. "All the offers have been going through my dad and there has been some talk of him having his own cooking show,” he told the Daily Star. “But we`ll have to see what happens when Rex gets out of the house."
Rex escaped eviction last Friday for the second time, when drama teacher Belinda was voted out of the house. Bookies have placed odds of 20/1 on his winning the show.