‘I WASN'T READY FOR THE WORLD TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ME!'

AS HE EXITS BRIDGERTON REGÉ-JEAN PAGE TELLS OK! HE NEVER EXPECTED TO BECOME A PIN-UP WHY HE’S AN INCURABLE ROMANTIC AND REVEALS THE TRUTH BEHIND THOSE BOND RUMOURS

- SARAH MORTON

We were all left shocked when it was revealed Bridgerton’s gorgeous star, Regé-Jean Page, would not be returning to the show for its anticipated second season. But for the man who’s become a pin-up thanks to his smouldering role as the Duke of Hastings, hysteria surrounding his every move is now par for the course. Whether it’s rumours over his love life or taking bets on him playing James Bond, Regé-Jean’s name is on everyone’s lips.

We caught up with the 31-year old actor from his apartment in LA. As dashing and charming as his on-screen persona, RegéJean, who is rumoured to be dating copywriter Emily Brown, is good company but not one to dwell on the headlines. “I tend not to read them!” he laughs.

Here, he tells us why he was shocked at becoming a sex symbol, the reason his parents didn’t want him to take up acting and why he’s “flattered” to be tipped as the next 007…

Regé, you’re all over the press right now – what do you make of the gossip?

What do I think about gossip? I do my absolute very best with all of my humanity not to think about gossip. That’s my very real answer to that question. I don’t find it helpful to myself very much.

Were you ready for the world to fall in love with you after Bridgerton?

The short answer is absolutely not. No, I don’t know how anyone could be ready for the kind of attention and the level of attention that we’ve experienced. Obviously, you want people to enjoy your work. You want people to form an emotional attachment to it and you want that attachment to be as strong and as joyous as possible, so it’s been a joy to see that expand and grow.