Survivor: Who are the contestants? Who is the host? When will it start?

Virgin Radio

14 Oct 2023, 12:23

Credit: BBC

Here’s everything you need to know about BBC’s brand-new physical and psychological game show.

BBC One’s TV schedule is brimming with game shows for everyone to enjoy, whether you like watching famous faces dance on Strictly Come Dancing, or travel around the globe on Celebrity Race Across the World.

And for those who like to see ordinary people push themselves to the limits, a new show called Survivor will begin this autumn.

Here is everything we know about the programme so far.

What will be the aim of Survivor?

According to the BBC, Survivor will be “the ultimate physical and psychological game”.

Battling it out to win £100,000 and the title of Sole Survivor, 18 carefully selected contestants will endure challenges that will test their mental and physical strength, whilst being stranded in a tropical location.

The competitors will be split into two teams, and fight against each other for rewards or immunity.

Who are the contestants and why did they want to take part in Survivor? What qualities have they got that will help them to succeed?

Ashleigh (34, London)

Occupation: Brand Strategist

“I love every opportunity to live life to the fullest and to challenge and push myself. Whether it’s in work, e.g. starting my own business, in fitness with my boxing, or in life and taking on skydiving, I have always wanted to test my limits. I suffer from imposter syndrome and struggle to believe in myself, so this is why I push myself, to try and find my limits. What better test to understand what I’m really capable of than the ultimate challenge - Survivor!”

Credit: BBC

Christopher (36, Bridgend)

Occupation: Singer/Songwriter

“I wanted to be a contestant on Survivor because I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and face my fears. I wanted to undertake the hardest challenges, on land, in the air or in the sea. I want to prove to myself that I have got what it takes, that I can achieve anything. The idea of having nothing but the clothes on my back seemed a million miles away from what I do in real life. Having all luxuries taken away and food restricted whilst having to undertake the toughest game show on earth just excited me. I thought it’s the best way to push myself, to learn how to survive and do challenges as I’m extremely competitive. I am at the stage in my life where I am more confident and determined to do something which I feel I can do well with the determination and competitive spirit to outwit, outplay, and outlast.”

Credit: BBC

Doug (32, Isle of Mull)

Occupation: Flood Risk Consultant

“When I was younger, I vividly remember watching the original UK Survivor back in 2002. As a family we loved the show, even going as far as re-enacting some of the original challenges. When I saw that it was returning to TV in the UK I wasted no time in putting my application in. Next thing I know – I’m on a desert island building a shelter from bamboo! I came on Survivor to make my family back home on Mull proud, and have the adventure of a lifetime.”

Credit: BBC

Hannah (30, London)

Occupation: Semi-Professional Footballer

“Survivor really became my go-to TV show to watch during lockdown. I got totally hooked, binge-watching season after season, and the more I watched, the more I thought, 'I'd absolutely love to be on that show!'"

Credit: BBC

Jess (38, London)

Occupation: Fitting Model

“It’s the ultimate challenge of a lifetime and I fancied doing something wild as I approach 40. I also thought the 100K might come in handy!”

Credit: BBC

Laurence (29, London)

Occupation: Entrepreneur

“Coming across Survivor and getting chosen to be one of the contestants was an enormous coincidence as I run a health-tech start-up selling anti-hangover capsules with the same name as the show! The show hit the spot as I felt I’d become too comfortable in life and I’ve come to depend on all sorts of unnecessary creature comforts. It was time to shake things up a bit and prove to myself that I could live on bare necessities, in order to appreciate the luxuries of life. I wanted to see whether my character would remain the same when put to the test, or whether I would crack under pressure like most other fellow soft millennials. I also celebrate absurdity - and instead of doing the rational thing and working in some dull accountancy firm towards buying an overpriced house and a boring retirement, I would much rather do something absurd like this. I crave new experiences. As George Mallory said, on why he wanted to climb Everest, 'Because it is there.' And finally, I thought I could at least make a big enough fool of myself on national television to amuse myself for the next few years.”

Credit: BBC

Lee (28, Belfast)

Occupation: Professional Boxer

“I thought it was a great opportunity to test myself and let the world see me for who I really am. Survivor shows people at their most vulnerable selves and I was excited for the Irish and British public to see me as my true authentic self.”

Credit: BBC

Leilani (45, Hertford)

Occupation: Barista and Cleaner

“A friend saw the application and said I should apply, I was at a crossroads in my life and looking for a new direction so it came along at the perfect time.”

Credit: BBC

Matthew (21, Cumbria)

Occupation: Hospitality

“I wanted to be a contestant on Survivor because I knew this was the ultimate challenge! An amazing chance to really get stuck in and see what I’m made of. I turned 21 a few months ago and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my summer, I’m so thankful for the opportunity. I really wanted to push myself to the limits and I genuinely mean that – this is a dream. I was looking forward to playing the game of Survivor because there’s so much to think about, it tests you physically and mentally and I was ready for both challenges!”

Credit: BBC

Nathan (35, Manchester)

Occupation: Fitness Instructor and Operations Manager

“I very much believe in the concept of Kaizen (a Japanese term for continuous improvement) and I try to apply this concept to every part of my life. When I reflect on when I’ve grown the most, it has always been on the back of significantly challenging times, adversity, or hardship. So, when the opportunity to be a part of one of the most challenging experiences someone can face, I needed no convincing.”

Credit: BBC

Pegleg (54, St Agnes)

Occupation: Surf School Owner

“Life experience as a 54 year old; a Gen X attitude for just getting on with it and not whining and moaning about the hardship of it all.”

Credit: BBC

Rachel (40, Whitstable)

Occupation: Insurance Claims Handler

“I have always been an adventurous, strong, outdoorsy, sporty person who loves a challenge and my mum knew I had wanted to take part in a show like this for years so when she saw an advert for contestants online she tagged me in it. My motivation was that I wanted my children to know that not having a dad around does not mean that one parent isn’t enough and to show them that anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it.”

Credit: BBC

Rach (23, Glasgow)

Occupation: Personal Trainer

“I had actually never heard of Survivor until the start of this year when I watched the Australian series and immediately knew that this would be something that I would enjoy. My boyfriend and I binge-watched every single series and I fell in love with the show. I love challenges and adrenaline rushes so taking part in Survivor was a perfect match for me.”

Credit: BBC

Ren (28, London)

Occupation: Network Data Scientist

“Survivor has been my all-time favourite show since I found it when I was 14, ‘obsessed’ is an understatement. It combines so many things I love into this intense and awesome package where you get to do stuff you don’t get to regularly as an adult. I also just love the mental and social aspects of the game – it's not about playing the game you want to play, it’s about playing the game the jury wants to see you play.”

Credit: BBC

Richard (36, Dalkeith)

Occupation: Pensions Manager and RAF Reservist

“I am always looking for a new challenge and this gave me the opportunity to challenge myself physically and mentally.”

Credit: BBC

Sabrina (45, Stroud)

Occupation: Ultramarathon Runner, Charity Founder and Author

“It hit me at the right time! If you were told on a cold UK winters night about a show that was highly likely to be filmed on a tropical island, involved physical and mental challenges, and meant you couldn’t be contacted for the whole time you were there - wouldn’t you be interested?!”

Credit: BBC

Shai (33, London)

Occupation: Finance Risk Manager

“I remember watching the show as an 11 year old in Sri Lanka where I grew up till the age of 17 and have watched most previous seasons across the 23 year period. When the opportunity arose, I jumped at it! Who wouldn’t want to be stranded on a random island with nothing but basic rations against a bunch of random strangers, competing in the best game ever!”

Credit: BBC

Tinuke (30, London)

Occupation: Professional Roller Skater and Adventurer

“I have always loved the show alongside all other survival shows since I was a kid. I was so excited when I saw it was coming to the UK. I want to go on the show for my late parents and to prove to myself that I am so much stronger than I thought I was. This is a complete game-changer for me, I am ready to change my life and fill it with adventure and challenge and this is the first stepping stone to get me there. I am ready to leave behind the troubles and grief of my past and prove that anyone can turn around any dark experience. You always have more in the tank than you think you do, and I am ready to show that! I want to be a massive inspiration for anyone who has also experienced deep loss and sadness.”