Television's GC stars feel the love

Mangonui pub locals were treated to celebrity company on Saturday night when some of the stars of the TV show 'The GC' arrived. More than 200 people had turned out to see them the night before in Kerikeri, and while Mangonui couldn't quite muster that sort of crowd the pub was busy for a wet and windy winter's night, fans enjoying the chance to chat, drink and play pool with the special guests.

They included Rosanna Arkle, her boyfriend Zane Houia, Jessi Nugent and her boyfriend Jade Ruwhiu.

Life had changed "a little" since The GC began screening, Jessi said, but "the show isn't on in Oz so we don't get recognised there. But on social network sites we have fan pages, thousands following us on Twitter; that's weird and different."

"It's cool coming back to New Zealand," Rosanna said.

"We feel the love. All we read is what the Press have said so it's nice to meet our fans and see how many people love the show."

Rosanna, who has lived in Australia, where she works as glamour model, for the last four years, said the lifestyle was better on the far side of the Tasman.

"I mean if you're into what New Zealand has to offer, hunting and fishing, then that's cool. But if you want hot sun, beaches, money, that's the GC. Kids can see that there's a better lifestyle over there," she said.

The fans' most common questions? "Are we real couples? And do we really live in the same house? People think it's fake but it's not. We're really friends, we really live together."

Jade, born in Wanganui, said he moved to Australia because friends told him the money was good. He began work as a scaffolder but now owns his own property investment and health nutrition companies.

"I recommend (moving to Australia) as you can get ahead faster because the money is better. But everyone has an idea that it's easy; it's not. You do have to establish yourself. If you're willing to do what it takes, you'll get there," he said. "What you see on the show, to get where I am, it's taken five years of hard work and time invested."