Ben Shephard confessed that “things go very wrong” at one point in his new ITV series, The Summit.
The gruelling show sees 14 strangers climb a New Zealand mountain with the hope of claiming a £200,000 prize – while battling a time limit and several extra challenges.
An ITV synopsis for the programme reads: “With just 14 days to reach the summit, the contestants have to navigate treacherous terrain, wild conditions and overcome extraordinary challenges – set by the mysterious Mountain’s Keeper – that block their path to the peak.
“But it isn’t just a test of physical strength; strategy plays a crucial role, as the cast will also have to eliminate their competitors along the way.
Ben Shephard fronts new ITV series The Summit
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ITV
“Who will forge alliances? Who will betray? And ultimately who will have what it takes to conquer the mountain and claim the prize?”
Speaking recently to GB News and other media about the ups and downs of filming the series, This Morning’s Mr Shephard revealed that a brutal injury occurs at one point.
“There’s so many shocking moments,” the presenter stated.
“I mean, we had the an elite team setting these challenges. They were all extraordinarily, sort of brilliantly laid out by experts.
Ben Shephard revealed things ‘go wrong’ on ITV’s The Summit
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ITV
“But you look at it, and if it goes slightly wrong, it can go very, very wrong.
“And we had one very bad injury at one point.”
He went on to reveal the accident had been the result of someone ignoring instructions in the hazardous conditions.
“So there’s this element all the way up,” Mr Shephard explained. “They want to prove they are worth staying in the group.”
The Summit sees the 14 strangers competing as well as working together
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ITV
Speaking to ITV about The Summit, Mr Shephard reflected: “It was an extraordinary experience.
“It’s right up my street – the adventurous nature of it and the epic challenge ordinary people face when they have never climbed a mountain before.
“Then throw in the twists and turns and the exceptional mental and physical focus they have to somehow try and draw on, to complete the challenges and deal with what’s going on around them.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it as a TV show. And the backdrop of the Southern Alps in New Zealand, I challenge anyone to find anywhere more dramatic, inspiring or terrifying as that landscape. It was just extraordinary.”
The Summit gives 14 strangers just two weeks to complete the daunting mission
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ITV
When asked how he would describe the series to viewers, he replied: “The adventure of a lifetime.
“It’s 14 ordinary people, trying to achieve something truly extraordinary.
“It’s an adventure and challenge-based show that’s going to take all sorts of mental focus and ingenuity, to not only climb the mountain and get over the challenges, but also navigate the pitfalls of keeping the rest of the climbers on side to ensure, when they get to the top, they take home as much money as they can.”