The shape I'm in: Carl Mullan, 2fm reporter, DJ and Rose of Tralee escort

HE MAY have needed high doses of Berocca, coffee, and fruit to get through the Rose of Tralee, but escort Carl Mullan is still on a high.

“I’m absolutely exhausted, physically and emotionally, but in a good way,” he says.

“Over the week we all bonded so well. We’ve had an absolute ball. I wore a fitness tracker and in six days I walked 84km.”

A regular gym-goer and cyclist, the RTÉ 2FM reporter and DJ needed all the stamina he could muster.

“It was pretty much an eight o’clock start and not into bed until sometimes three or half three in the morning. Also, at the end of each night, the 65 escorts had a debrief to make sure everything went well during the day and to look at things we could improve on.”

Though it was serious work, it was non-stop comedy from start to finish.

“I’ve never laughed as much in life. I’ve made 130 new friends — I’d highly recommend it.”

Aged 26, the Dublin native is coy about his own love life, saying, “it’s complicated”.

What shape are you in?

I’m in reasonable shape at the moment. Over the last year and a half, I’ve lost about three and a half stone. I still feel I’ve another little bit to go. But I’m feeling an awful lot better — physically and mentally.

I go to the gym across the road from work about four times a week. I see a personal trainer every six weeks, it’s really easy going. I also do a lot of cycling with my mates at the weekend.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

Every morning I get up and have a breakfast straight away. I’ll have a couple of boiled eggs but to get my metabolism kick-started I would always have a cup of coffee with just a spoonful of coconut oil in it.

Lunchtime, it would always be a salad with chicken or turkey or if I’m feeling adventurous I might get some prawns or something like that.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate. There is no such thing as one piece of chocolate, it’s a bar of chocolate. It’s like my brain doesn’t know how to stop. I love Turkish Delight and Caramel.

What would keep you awake at night?

I’m a good sleeper. But sometimes my back gives me a bit of trouble. If I don’t stretch for a couple of weeks it gets tight. But even if I am worried, my body just kicks in and I go to sleep anyway.

How do you relax?

Cycling. We could leave the house and I could be at the top of the Dublin Mountains in 45 minutes.

I also love walking and just being around my friends — meeting them for a cup of tea — you can’t beat it. It’s great to have a catch-up,

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Racing driver Ayrton Senna, he’s my all-time hero. Eddie Jordon, is my second hero. I was a huge fan of the F1 team when I was a kid.

The other person is Euan McGregor. I’d love to talk to him about travel. He did a series where he and his friend went around the world on motor bikes — one of my dreams is to do a trip like that.

What is your favourite smell?

When I came home from holidays and my mam was cooking dinner — it’s the best smell ever. It’s really comforting.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

I feel very comfortable in my own skin. I’m lucky in that sense. I would probably be a little bit self-conscious as I’m quite short — I would love to have an extra 2in added on. I’m 5ft 9in.

When did you last cry?

When one of my best friends got engaged. I was delighted. It was like someone flicked a switch. I couldn’t help it. I was mortified. I couldn’t believe I was crying. I’m the kind of bloke who wears his heart on his sleeve.

What trait do you least like in others?

Meanness — I don’t think there’s anything to be gained by being mean to somebody. I hate seeing it when you’re online. You don’t know what is going on in someone’s life.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I probably over-analyse things. Someone may say something as a throwaway comment and later on I’ll wonder what did they mean by that. I’ll mull it over and over — and really the person meant nothing by it.

Do you pray?

I don’t really know what I believe at the moment. I think and I hope that there’s a higher being of some sort. You always find yourself talking to someone.

What would cheer up your day?

Seeing any of my family, or anyone who can make me laugh. I love anyone who is just up for a bit of craic.