He’s officially South Africa’s hottest and sexiest single heart-throb.
But Tyrone Keogh maintains he’s just a chilled-out beach boy from Cape Town who happens to have the world at his feet.
Last weekend he won the 2011 Cleo Bachelor of the Year competition in Fourways, Joburg, beating a field of 50 eligible bachelors.
“I’m absolutely overwhelmed and humbled by this entire experience. It’s been great. It’s something new and a beginning of good things to come,” he said, beaming every time the words “bachelor of the year” were mentioned.
Keogh, who is popularly known for his bad boy role as Jack van Reenen on M-Net’s The Wild, said the competition wasn’t easy.
“It was a tough one. Every single guy in the competition had something to offer. All the guys were great. I guess I was the lucky one in the end,” he said.
Keogh said his campaign project was not as impressive as those of the other guys but thanked his film producer mother for all the support.
“She was great. Everywhere we would go she would approach people and ask them to vote for me. She is my number one fan.”
While many might liken competition to a male equivalent of a beauty pageant, Keogh said he wants none of that.
“I’ve never been in a pageant before. I’m not that type of guy. What I loved about this competition is that you don’t have to be the best-looking guy. It’s all about personality and how you carry yourself and have fun. You’d have to be the entire package and not just beauty,” he said.
“I’ve never won anything in my life before. I can’t wait to drive my brand new car, a Suzuki Swift,” he said.
Despite his achievement, Keogh, who cites fishing, mountain biking and swimming with friends as some of his favourite pastimes, said he was determined to stay humble.
“If I had to take away anything from this competition, it would be to stay true to myself and not to be something I’m not,” he said.
Asked if he had anyone in his life, a visibly shy Keogh replied: “Yes, I’m dating… I’m seeing someone. I’m not married though, hence the definition of bachelor.”
He said his teenage sisters were ecstatic for him.
“They’re taking it with a pinch of salt. I’m always going to be their biggest friend and nothing will change that,” he said.
Since the announcement, Keogh said, he has been swamped with interviews and meetings and had even bought himself a little diary – something he’s never owned before.
And he’s not planning on going anywhere soon.
“I miss Cape Town and my friends, but Joburg has a rich culture. The same applies to the entire country. South Africans are dynamic people. Full of creativity. I wouldn’t leave this country even if I could,” he said. - Saturday Star