‘Below Deck Med’ Stars Joe Bradley’s And Nathan Gallagher’s Bromance Is Still Going Strong: “We’ve Been In Contact Every Single Day”

Below Deck Mediterranean is sailing through its ninth season on Bravo with no signs of slowing down! While fans have loved to watch the crew of the Mustique fall in line under the guidance of Captain Sandy Yawn and Chief Stew Aesha Scott , another power duo has emerged: deck hands Joe Bradley and Nathan Gallagher . The connection between the Liverpudlian and Irishman was instantaneous. They immediately bonded because of their similar personalities, their charm with the ladies, and—most importantly—their efficiency in performing their on-deck duties.

While Gallagher had eyes only for fellow deck hand, Gael Cameron, Bradley quickly found himself caught in the middle of stews Elena “Elle” Dubiach and Bri Muller. Bradley, who made it very clear to both women that he “was not looking for a girlfriend,” doesn’t agree with the minority of viewers who think he should immediately pick just one woman to pursue. “What am I doing? Just having a flirt,” said Bradley. “Am I doing anything wrong at the young age of 27 and exploring?” According to Gallagher (and most viewers), Bradley is doing exactly what he’s supposed to do during a charter season. “He’s dating on the yacht,” reasoned Gallagher.

When asked if the two have kept in touch after Below Deck Med —which both men admitted to being fans of before going on the show—Bradley and Gallagher confirmed their bromance is stronger than ever. “Every single day since the day we met, we’ve been in contact,” said Bradley. “We’re having, like, four- or five-hour phone calls every day,” added Gallagher. “It’s crazy.” The men’s banter was on full display during a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live . Host Andy Cohen was clearly taken with the dynamic duo. “What a legend he is, eh?” marveled Bradley. “Those conversations flew.”

Bradley and Gallagher hopped on Zoom to talk to DECIDER about the season so far, their on-duty and off-duty mishaps, and why strawberries are the sexiest fruit.

DECIDER: Your Watch What Happens Live appearance was a debut for the Bravo record books! You two are taking the world by storm!

JOE BRADLEY: Thank you so much. Honestly, that was an experience. Andy Cohen, what a legend he is, eh?

NATHAN GALLAGHER: It was so much fun.

Andy was clearly enjoying himself. What was your favorite part about doing the show?

NG: Being in the toilets with him, having a piss together. That was the best [laughs].

JB: That was the perfect time [laughs]. Those conversations flew. Honestly, what a man he is. So funny.

What is the secret to your charm? Is it the accent?

JB: I’m going to say 76.4%.

NG: This is where we disagree again. I want to say 74.9%.

JB: Obviously, self-confidence does play a big part. Like, I’m confident in myself. He’s comfortable within his own body.

NG: And we’re cheeky.

JB: We’re cheeky too, I suppose. It comes with your geographical position.

Bravo fans love a bromance, yours especially. Were you worried about keeping in touch after the season ended?

NG: No chance.

JB: Every single day since the day we met, we’ve been in contact.

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NG: We’re having, like, four- or five-hour phone calls every day. It’s crazy.

JB: It’s crazy. Even if I trip over a rock and break an ankle, I’m on the phone still. I’m going, “Brother, I think I need to call the ambulance.” And he goes, “Okay, then call it.”

NG: He rang me, lost in the forest.

JB: Yeah, literally. My first point-of-contact was this man right here. I went, “Brother, I’m lost.”

NG: I don’t know Liverpool. And he’s calling me in the forest in Liverpool.

JB: It was a community park!

Well, I’m glad to see you two are still so close. Were you fans of Below Deck before you applied for the series?

JB: Yeah.

NG: We’re huge fans of reality TV.

JB: We’re full fans of the show. To get the opportunity to do a charter season ourselves exceeded our expectations.

NG: Never in a million years would I ever expect to meet someone like Joe on a reality TV show.

JB: Without Nathan, I don’t think it would’ve gone as well for me.

NG: Same.

Iain is the bosun this season, and he’ll still proving himself—especially at the end of Episode 6. What were your initial impressions of him?

JB: My initial impression with Iain was that he’s a god [laughs]. His body is crazy. He seemed so confident. He was giving orders, telling us, “This is how the season’s going to unravel.” I felt comfortable.

NG: Yeah, my initial experience with Iain was totally positive as well. We felt comfortable with Iain, but as the season went on, you tend to find out a few different things.

JB: Such is yachting.

NG: You need the ability to deal with different people at different times. It’s not all sunshine and blue skies.

Joe, is this Ellie-Bri situation the first love triangle you have ever been part of in your yachting career?

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JB: Listen, girl, no, I’m sorry, but I’m very forward with my intentions.

NG: Very open.

JB: Yeah, I’m an open book. If talking to couple girls is going to hurt someone on a personal level, then I would stop. But what am I doing? Just having a flirt. We’re going to have a little dance in the club like. Am I doing anything wrong at the young age of 27 and exploring?

NG: You’re not looking for a girlfriend.

JB: I’m not looking for a girlfriend. I’ve made it very clear. If one of them had told me, “I’m sorry, Joe, you are hurting me ,” I would have stopped flirting with that girl. I didn’t go back and forth between Elle and Bri and try to stir up trouble between them. That’s being called a player. I don’t believe what I’ve done can be categorized as such. I’m just very forward and ready to have fun at any given time.

I absolutely agree with you. I think you were very clear from the beginning. You three are young, you’re in yachting… stuff happens. I know people in online chatter have been saying, “Oh, Joe should pick one.” Why should you pick one? It’s been like six days into the charter season.

NG: Exactly.

JB: Exactly. I don’t know these women. How can I choose just off the physical aspect? Elle’s just a different kettle of fish socially. I didn’t really get along with Elle on a personal level like I did with Bri who is a fucking Wonder Woman. Elle, she knows what she likes. She knows what she wants, and I don’t think I could give that to her. That’s just how it is. It’s okay if I’m not interested in her whether sexually or otherwise. That’s just how it is.

NG: Let’s say, in the real world, you might have one date with a person that doesn’t work out. Well, that happens in yachting too. Why would you force yourself to stay with a person you didn’t gel with because you’re doing a charter season together? Wouldn’t you explore different options?

JB: That’s why it’s called dating.

NG: Yeah, he was dating on the yacht.

JG: How can I choose a woman within a six to eight-day period? It’s unrealistic. I don’t even know me mom [laughs]. I’m living a normal life. Every single day is a new day for me.

Nathan, I will say that I am into you and Gael hardcore. What was the first thing that attracted you to her?

NG: Initially, it was straight away her appearance. She was beautiful.

JB: Yeah, gorgeous.

NG: As I got to know her, it was her personality that outshined her looks. That was crazy. I just adored her.

I don’t think we’ve ever talked about a piece of fruit on the Below Deck franchise as much as we’ve talked about strawberries. Why is a strawberry the sexiest fruit?

NG: Because it’s nice, subtle…

JB: Juicy.

NG: Easy on the eye. You bite it into it and it gives you a lovely flavor.

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Joe, were you rooting for Nathan and Gail as the season went on, or were you worried about the deck crew dynamics?

JB: I wasn’t worried in the slightest because I know that he’s a professional. As a brother would, I did check in with him. I would go, “Listen, be careful you know. You’re in the same department. Just don’t let it disrupt the work dynamics.” I had not one inch of worry. I knew he, and Gael as well, wouldn’t do anything to hurt the team because we’ve got to get the job done.

Nathan, as someone who’s watched the show before, I was so surprised that you thought you could get away from the cameras that first night out.

NG: I didn’t even know there was the camera in that area. I went through the entire season not knowing that wee camera was there.

What was the biggest deck crew mishap so far: Iain forgetting to plug in the tinder overnight or Nathan and the charter guest getting stuck at sea on their paddle boards and having to be rescued by a nearby catamaran?

NG: All of the above.

JB: With the tinder battery, it can happen to absolutely anyone. You’re running on not a lot of sleep; there’s a lot going on in your heard. I did feel for Iain in that respect. Obviously, Nathan and the guest having to be rescued by a catamaran–I don’t think that’s ever happened in yachting history.

NG: I left the yacht and came back to the yacht, and in between I was on a fucking paddle board.

JB: He was on the tinder previously. He was on four vessels that day. So, he’s winning.

NG: The guest loved it. I made sure she was comfortable and having fun.

Who flagged down the catamaran: you or the guest?

NG: We were trying to go back on the paddle board, and we just couldn’t make headway. We were actually going backwards because the current was so strong. We were in Greece, but we were getting pushed towards Turkey. Eventually I said to her, “we have to give up.” We’re shouting and waving our paddle boards trying to get the Mustique’s attention. No one noticed us. So, a catamaran passed by and I waved them down. I said, “Listen, we need to get back to that yacht over there. Will you do us a favor? Pick us up and leave us over there?” And they did. Thankfully.

Our time is winding down, but Joe, I wanted to ask—since your musical abilities have been on display numerous times this season—what is your go-to karaoke song?

JB: Oh, I’d say “Crazy” [by Gnarls Barkley]. [sings] “I remember when, I remember when I lost my mind.” It’s got to be that one.

What about you, Nathan?

NG: Karaoke? I reckon a little One Direction, you know?

JB: Louis!

NG: “Night Changes.”

JB: What a cue. We’re grown men. We love One Direction. There’s no problem with that, is there?

NG: None at all!

Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays nights at 9/8c

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