Soap star Michelle Collins is one of seven brave celebrities who will battle hunger, sleep deprivation, bad weather, extreme heights and wild animals in a new six-part series of Bear Grylls Mission Survive.
Those who watched last year’s challenge will remember horrified celebrities being challenged to drink their own urine. Michelle, however, reveals she’s no problems swapping wine for wee:
“Drinking wee is fine!
“My fears are water, heights and confined spaces. But my biggest fear is eating meat, as I’ve been a vegetarian most of my life!”
Former Coronation Street and EastEnders star Michelle joins Casualty’s Chelsee Healey, Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner, Granchester’s Neil Morrissey, Arsenal Ladies’ footballer, Alex Scott, former England footballer Stuart Pearce, and I’d Do Anything finalist Samantha Barks.
Michelle says: “At 53 I’m one of the oldest people taking part. But I’d like to prove women like me are still strong and can go out and do this stuff. The downside is, I’m going with people I may love or I may hate!”
And Michelle’s right to be concerned as the seven stars will spend 12 days on a grueling expedition from South Africa’s mountains to the coast, with one eventually being crowned the ultimate Mission Survivor.
Weather will be a problem too, ranging from scorching heat to torrential rain and bitterly cold nights. There’s also the challenge of getting along with fellow teammates and completing Bear’s tough tasks with his sidekicks - expedition leader Meg Hine and ex-commando Scott Heffield – who’ll decide which celeb gets sent home at the end of each episode.
Adventurer Bear Grylls explains: “I’ve spent a lot of time in Southern Africa during military times and my early survival shows and know the terrain is brutal. There’s also some pretty terrifying wildlife, including leopards, a crazy amount of snakes, and scorpions. And a few grumpy celebs as well!
“I tell them ‘You’ve got to be switched on from day one. You can’t mess around or this place will spit you out.’”
Bear Grylls MIssion Survive stars on ITV on Thursday 3 March at 9.00pm
