Ee by gum, that Mark Wright’s a bit of a lad isn’t he? He’s always up to some prank or another, and his latest rib-tickler joke on a mate was setting him up to star in a gay orgy film! And frankly, I’d have watched it. There I’ve said it.

Mark has of course been stateside filming his new series Mark Wright’s Hollywood Nights – which debuts on ITV2 tonight at 10pm – and as part of the jolly japery, he enlisted the help of random stranger to tell Mark’s mate Nick that he wanted him to star in his new movie.

Keeping the joke going right up to the last minute, a horrified Nick only discovered that the film was to featur a gay orgy when he arrived on-set to start shooting. Pun intended there.

But of course, the Punk’d moment was all a set up for Hollywood Nights…

An insider told the Sun, “Mark is filming wind-ups as a part of the show. Nick genuinely thought he was being tapped up for stardom. Mark got a right earful.”

But not all Mark’s time in LA has been spent organizing orgies, gay or otherwise, and he’s been spending some time with the well ‘ard Vinnie Jones, who plays football for the Hollywood United team.

Mark – who formerly starred in The Only Way Is Essex and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here – joined Vinnie’s team for a game, as did former Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle. We’ll see the match highlights in the show of course.

But Mark hasn’t spent all his time with the lads, and has in fact been spotted on numerous occasions gazing longingly at a US beach volleyball player called Chelsea.

A source close to Mark said, “Mark has been loving all the attention from the LA girls, but especially from Chelsea.

“Everyone could see that there is definitely a spark between them. Chelsea is beautiful and their relationship is sure to blossom.

“They are very sweet together, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.

“Things are set to get hot and heavy between the pair.”

We may well learn more about that in Mark’s new show. Will you be watching?