SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton to launch ‘bounty’ survival show Mutiny which ‘puts Bear Grylls’ The Island to shame’
HE has risked life and limb serving three tours of Afghanistan and passed the gruelling five-month SAS selection process at the first attempt.
But TV star ANT MIDDLETON says his latest challenge was the hardest yet and he walks the walk and talks the talk — unlike rival BEAR GRYLLS.
Ant, who made his name as the lead instructor of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, is recreating an epic 4,000-mile expedition for his new show Mutiny.
Asked if his show is harder than rival The Island hosted by Bear, he said: “There’s no comparison. It’s massively harder.
"He’s a great guy and what he does is inspirational but we’re putting it all on the line.
"Where I’m a bit different to Bear is I’m willing to strip myself down to my bare bones and go, ‘chuck it at me’.
"I talk a good talk but I walk a better walk.
“That’s where I feel comfortable — you’ve got to be in the mix or I’m not interested.”
The new show, which starts on March 6 on Ch4, sees Ant lead a group of nine men to recreate one of the greatest survival feats in British history.
RELATED STORIES
He is taking on the role of Captain William Bligh, who was forced out on to a life boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in 1789 after the famous mutiny on his ship HMS Bounty.
Bligh and a small crew survived brutal storms and reefs on the tiny 23ft wooden vessel, travelling thousands of miles to find land.
Ant and Co are now following their path using Bligh’s journal.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZ TV COLUMN
Dann takes a shine to sales role
DANNII MINOGUE is really taking her work seriously – by letting in shine in this slinky silk dress.
The talent show judge’s turquoise outfit outshone the rest of the red carpet at the BBC Worldwide Showcase in Liverpool.
The event aims to sell Beeb shows to overseas TV execs.
Dannii has been brutally honest alongside pal GARY BARLOW and MARTIN KEMP as they pick the boyband for the TAKE THAT musical on Let It Shine.
Someone had to be.
James back on track
In a desperate bid to improve on last year’s flop relaunch, Top Gear bosses pinched the celebrity booker from The One Show.
And the move has paid off, as I can reveal actor JAMES McAVOY, will be the first guest on the new series.
The X-Men and Split star is due to be filmed racing around the show’s track today in an attempt to beat his lap time from 2013, when he last appeared.
That was the year after MATT LeBLANC, who now fronts the show with CHRIS HARRIS and RORY REID, showed his future bosses what he could do when he topped the celebrity leaderboard.
The Scots actor will be the only guest in that episode, after CHRIS EVANS’s disastrous changes saw two guests being interviewed like a chat show.
An insider said: “The idea of two guests an episode that Chris came up with last year didn’t work so they’ve gone back to the original format under JEREMY CLARKSON.”
It comes as Matt delivers a pitch to 700 global TV execs today to try to sell the show around the world.
Tragic Steve's Bafta
I was very sad to hear that leading broadcaster Steve Hewlett died on Monday.
The BBC Radio 4 presenter and former Panorama editor passed away at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital after bravely speaking about his battle with cancer.
And now Bafta has revealed it recently gave the journalist a special award.
A spokesman said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Steve has passed away.
“Bafta’s Board of Trustees had recently honoured Steve with a Special Award for his outstanding contribution to British broadcasting, and he was delighted to have been awarded it.
“Regretfully, he had yet to formally receive it and it will now be given to his family.”
Others who have received the award include respected documentary maker PETER TAYLOR and cookery star DELIA SMITH.
Steve’s death is a huge loss as he was a thoroughly decent man.
I’m pleased he has been formally recognised for his long career.
SOAPBOX
NICK TILSLEY loves Leanne Battersby so much that he has agreed to pretend her baby is his, even though it is really Steve McDonald’s.
But his fiancée manages to repay him in the worst way possible in CORONATION STREET tonight.
After baby Oliver’s arrival, proud “dad” Nick wants to make things official as soon as possible and books an appointment the next day to register the birth.
However, Leanne is left feeling increasingly uncomfortable and makes the shocking decision not to include Nick’s name on the birth certificate.
Meanwhile on HOLLYOAKS, Joel and Shane’s secret connection sparks suspicion in the village.
If anyone is set to uncover the truth it’s sure to be Sienna.