There’s so much great new TV on at the moment that we’re struggling to fit it all in – from reality favourites like Great British Bake Off and Married at First Sight UK, to ground breaking drama like Sex Education and Jodie Comer’s Help, count our calendars officially blocked off for the next few weeks at least.
But if you’ve somehow found yourself with a bit of extra time to fill and you’re looking for even MORE telly gold to gorge on, look no further than repeats of old series of Below Deck – the Selling Sunset-esque super-yacht show that follows the lives of the crew catering to ever whim of the super-rich on their luxury yachting holidays.
With a new yacht each series and a steadily revolving crew of bosuns, deck hands and stewards, there’s certainly a lot of new faces to obsess over, but one standout star of the nine series so far is Kelley Johnson.
Who is Kelley Below Deck?
Former Marine Kelley Johnson went into yachting after service thanks to his childhood love of the ocean. Whilst serving in the Marines, he was involved in a high stakes operation to rescue one Captain Phillips from Somali pirates, and upon leaving moved back to Florida to be close to family (and the coast).
What is Kelley’s job on Below Deck?
Kelley joined the cast as a deck hand in series one, but after returning in series four, he was promoted to Bosun. Despite no longer starring on the show, Kelley remained in yachting and is now the captain of his own boat, as well as pursuing photography and film-making as a side hustle.
How old is Kelley Below Deck?
Kelley was born on the 13th of February 1987, making him currently 34 years old – and an Aquarius.
Where is Kelley Below Deck from?
Kelley was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, but after joining the Marines and briefly pursuing a cooperate job and relationship inland, he eventually settled in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Who is Kelley Below Deck’s sister?
Kelley isn’t the only one of his family to have starred on Below Deck. His sister, Amy, worked on the yacht in series’ two and three, originally as third stewardess before being promoted to second stewardess.
Speaking of their time together on the show, Amy told Bravo, "We tease each other a lot about it. Our first season together [Season 2], we always joke that it looks like we cried 50 times. So, we both make fun of each other about that.
"If something comes up that reminds us of a situation or something that we can get a little jab into each other, tease each other about, it’ll come up that way."
Why did Kelley Johnson leave Below Deck?
Kelley left at the end of series 4 under acrimonious circumstance (more on that later) but has said he’s been asked a number of times if he’d come back on the show.
Speaking to Showbiz Cheatsheet in 2020, he said, "You know, for me, I would do another season," he said. "And I’ve been asked back. It’s just the monetary [aspect]. And the stress you go through. And anybody that goes on this show, it doesn’t matter how perfect you are. You can be the best stew on the show on the show. You can have an amazing personality and do the job fantastically."
"And the fans, there’s always going to be fans who are going to hate you," he continued. "No matter what you do. Because you can’t please everybody."
He added, "For me, it’s a situation of like trying to stop a waterfall with an umbrella. The negativity is just going to get you at some point.
"And for me, the monetary value that they pay the crew members just isn’t enough for how long you have to deal with the show. Because you’re only six week’s worth of filming and then you’ve got, you know, the few months before it airs."
Where is Kelley Below Deck now?
Despite refusing the offer to return to the show, Kelley is still working in yachting and has moved up in rank, currently captaining his own boat. He’s also a budding photographer and filmmaker, snapping the photos for his sister Amy’s recent wedding, and he has his own YouTube channel.
What happened with Kelley Johnson and Jennice Ontiveros?
Viewers will remember that in series two, Kelley was romantically involved with deckhand Jennice Ontiveros, despite rumours of a relationship back on land.
Even though they made half-hearted plans to move in together, Kelley told The Daily Dish in 2014, "I was told she wanted to move in and all these weird rumours, but instead of talking about it with her, I put up walls.
"I have a tendency to hop into relationships and get too serious too quickly, so I wanted to go slow when we got back to Ft. Lauderdale. Instead, it came out all wrong and she got hurt, and that's not what I wanted."
He later added, "I'm pretty sure the last time I spoke to [Jennice] was the reunion. I don't think I've talked to her since then. I'm almost 100 percent positive I haven't.
"And I hope she's doing well. I hold no grudges. I stuck my foot in my mouth on the reunion. I didn't mean to, but when you're heated at the time, sometimes you just do faux pas."
CHECK OUT: reality series to watch now Love Island is finished
Reality series to watch now Love Island is finished slider
1 of 7Married at First Sight UK
Chosen by Shopping Editor Aimee JakesIf you enjoyed the downright WIIIILD Married At First Sight Australia season six (perhaps the most explosive series of our generation thus far) then you will be pleased to know that a UK version is dropping imminently. The telly gods have taken inspiration from down under and promise this series will be jam-packed full of fun, drama and (hopefully) a love triangle or two. If you plan to invite me to anything in September... err, don't, okay?
2 of 7Selling Sunset
Chosen by Acting Group Managing Editor Carl SmithSelling Sunset's nothing new, but the Netflix hit literally saved me in lockdown and is only set to get bigger once series three lands. Providing some much-needed escapism, the show follows real estate agents at The Oppenheim Group as they flog LA's swankiest properties to the rich and famous. And obviously there's a load of relationship woes and fraught frenemy drama thrown in for good measure. SO GOOD.Stream it now on Netflix.
3 of 7Gogglebox
Chosen by Digital Writer Marianna MansonIt's an oldie but a goodie – if you ask me Gogglebox is one of the best shows on TV. It's been a staple of our Friday nights for so long some of the cast – like the Siddiquis and Lee and Jenny – are basically like our own families. And the best part, if you're missing Love Island, is that the 'boxers often tune in to give their own armchair criticism on the show – often proving to be every bit as, if not funnier than, Iain Stirling's own commentary.
4 of 7Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Chosen by Acting Deputy Digital Editor Eden-Olivia LordIf you've watched The Real Housewives of Cheshire then you're going to love The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I started watching it in lockdown and I'm still obsessed. It follows some of the rich (and famous) housewives in Beverly Hills living their lives, causing mayhem and arguing in their multi-million dollar homes. The cast are hilarious, chaotic and boujee - everything you want in a reality TV show.
5 of 7Too Hot to Handle
Chosen by Digital Writer Nathan KatnoriaIf it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? So if you've enjoyed watching this year's Islanders cracking on and coupling up in Palma paradise for the past eight weeks then you're bound to love Too Hot to Handle. Much like Love Island, the Netflix show involves sexy singletons from around the world jetting off to an exotic locale in the hopes of finding a romantic connection but there's one major catch - they're forbidden from all sexual contact. It's reality TV gold.
6 of 7Are You The One?
Chosen by Editorial Assistant Daisy Hall Are You The One? Is the perfect Love Island hole-filler. Ten single men and ten single women are left in a luxurious holiday villa on the premise that they have been matched with their perfect partner, all the have to do is find them. If all twenty of them find their perfect matches, then they win $1 million. Seems easy but the only way of knowing if you're with 'The One' is to have the 'truth booth' declare it. The problem is, they're only allowed to send ten couples to the booth across the ten weeks. It's flashy, hi-tech and completely ridiculous… in other words the perfect reality TV show.
7 of 7Below Deck
Chosen by Audience Development Executive Lucy Smith If you haven't checked out Below Deck yet, then you must have been living under a rock because it is THE reality TV garbage (in the best way) you need in your life. From on-board romances (and a hell of a lot of jealousy) to crew members outright refusing to work, there's enough drama to keep you entertained for the entirety of autumn. Oh, and Chef Ben is a SLICE.
WATCH: 'It's like watching a car crash!' We go behind the scenes of #MAFSUK
Does Kelley Below Deck have a girlfriend?
After leaving the show for good in 2016, Kelley told Bravo that he had started seeing someone new.
"She is not from the show, but she shares a lot of my passions, and we just seem to have a blast whether we are out-and-about, or just lying in bed," he said.
The lucky lady was identified as wellness coach Carina Hart, but the couple kept their relationship out of the public eye and are now thought to have split.
Does Kelley Below Deck still speak to the crew?
Kelley is still in touch with the crew from his series’ – in fact, after leaving the show he admitted he was gym buddies with Captain Lee Rosbach, as they both live in the same area in Florida.
He said, "I think at the beginning, it was a little teeter-totter, and I think as the season got on, we definitely had our lows, but by the end of it I think we were very, very close.
"Even to this day, we're working out every day together at the gym," he continued. "Every morning at seven o'clock in the morning, we are at the gym. I've been helping him work out, and I've shown him a few things. He's pretty competent on what he's doing, but he keeps me in check on making sure that I am there every single morning.
Look! More news!
Ben Robinson: everything you need to know about the Below Deck star and chef
"If I miss a day, I get the wrath of Captain Lee, and that's not always fun."
And speaking of his former manager Eddie Lucas’ return on series nine, Kelley said, “He’s just kind of letting people make their own beds and sleep in them.
"But with me, maybe he cared more, but I’m not sure. I love Eddie. I love his leadership style. The deck for the most part is doing everything phenomenal … other than James [Hough], who doesn’t seem to get it."
What is Kelley Below Deck’s Instagram?
You can follow Kelley on @kelleywjohnson.
What is Kelley Below Deck’s Twitter?
You can tweet him @KelleyWJohnson.