Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof's presenters and celebs reveal all about the new series

In this brand-new series, Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack follow 8 celebrities as they give up their warm cosy lives to live in the Italian mountains in sub-zero conditions. Over the next few weeks, they’ll be facing a series of daunting cold challenges designed to push their minds and bodies to the limit.

They’ll be guided by the record-breaking, global sensation Wim Hof AKA ‘The Ice Man’ who believes that embracing the cold can change their lives for the better. The celebrities... Patrice Evra, Gabby Logan, Alfie Boe, Tamzin Outhwaite, Owain Wyn Evans, Dianne Buswell, Professor Green and Chelcee Grimes, are all taking part for different personal reasons and are hoping that they can emerge from the experience feeling happier, healthier and stronger. Can the cold change their lives forever? Or will the freezing conditions become too much to bear?

Munya and Filly Get Chilly

Munya and Filly Get Chilly is a spin-off from the BBC1 series Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof. It will offer a fresh and light-hearted take on the challenges from the BBC One show. In each episode, presenters and viral comedy stars, Munya and Filly will immerse themselves in the sub-zero temperatures and take on Wim’s challenges, from breathing exercises to ice baths and beyond. They’ll have the chance to collaborate musically with Wim (who loves a singsong) and they have lots of pranks for each other and the celebs in store.

The BBC Three spin-off show will be filmed within the tented village that the celebrities are inhabiting, alongside the filming of the BBC One series, with behind-the-scenes content and exclusive access to the celebrities and hosts. Each episode will also see friends Munya and Filly go head-to-head as they take on one of the adrenaline stunts or cold challenges set by Wim.

Multitude Media - Amanda Hearn, Nikita Chaudhry, Jessica Gray

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Meet The Presenters

Wim Hof aka 'The Iceman' Q&A

Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof got his nickname 'The Iceman' by breaking a number of records related to cold exposure including: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot, and standing in a container while covered with ice cubes for more than 112 minutes.

Using 'cold, hard nature' as his teacher, his extensive training has enabled him to learn to control his breathing, heart rate and blood circulation and to withstand extreme temperatures. There are three ‘pillars’: breathing techniques leading to more energy, reduced stress levels and an augmented immune response; cold therapy to reduce inflammation and fortify the immune system, balance hormone levels, improve sleep quality and naturally elevate mood; commitment – armed with focus and determination to master both body and mind.  It’s a practical way to become happier, healthier and stronger.

Armed with his motto 'What I am capable of, everybody can learn', Wim Hof is convinced that everyone can tap into their inner potential without having to invest the same decades worth of study, travel and daring.

Wim has made it his mission to share what he’s learned with the rest of the world. He teaches people from all over the world, from celebrities and professional athletes, to people of all ages, to control their body and mind and achieve extraordinary things.

Warning: This Q&A includes a discussion about mental health and suicide. BBC Action Line provides information and support for issues covered in our recent programmes.

Wim, for those who haven’t come across you before, tell us how you first discovered your passion for the cold?

When I was 17 years old, I was walking through a park one quiet winter’s morning and I felt an attraction to the thin layer of ice on the water, and I just undressed and got in. I didn’t stay in long, maybe a minute, but the cold water had an unexpected effect on my body and I felt so good. And then when I got out, the rush of endorphins on my way home felt great! So I went back again. I soon learned that if I breathed deeply, I no longer felt the instinctive urge to gasp each time I immersed myself. The deep breathing made my body tingle and it felt amazing. I was only 17 but I felt so alive and excited and I’ve kept doing it ever since, each day, for the past 46 years!

I truly realised the benefit of the cold when I was grieving the death of my wife, Olaya, in 1995. She had depression and had spiralled into darkness. I was left alone with four kids to look after and no money, dealing with the deep emotional agony and yet needing to be strong for my children. It was devastating. The children made me survive but it was the cold that brought me back to life. It healed me. Instead of being guided by my broken emotions, the cold water led me to stillness and gave my broken heart a chance to rest, restore, rehabilitate. That is the message I want to share. This is what I found. I want to share the love. I don’t want anyone else to be in the same stressful situation that I was left behind in.

And you’ve achieved some impressive feats to earn yourself the nickname The Iceman, and you have a big celebrity fan base too?

Yes. If you count Oprah Winfrey lying on the ground in the grass, doing the breathing, being astonished at how long she can hold her breath. Or Justin Bieber – he’s got all the money and all the fame. Matt Damon is doing it. You cannot buy health and your fame will not make you healthy, you have to work on it. And this works. That is what all these celebrities are saying. This is something you cannot buy anywhere, you don’t get it through fame or name, this is about health. The most valuable thing is happiness, strength, and that can be accessed by anyone, and it is the wealthiest thing to do. Health is the wealth of the future. 

Can you explain to us why exposure to the cold works?

As humanity has evolved and developed ways to make our lives more and more comfortable, we have lost our ability not only to survive but to thrive in extreme environments. The things we have built to make our lives easier have actually made us weaker. We wear clothes all the time which de-stimulates our bodies. But what if we can re-awaken the dormant physiological processes that made our ancestors so strong? 

We go to the gym to work our muscles, but inside our bodies we have millions of tiny muscles in the cardiovascular system - and we can train them by simply taking a cold shower. The transformation you get through doing this just once a day is enormous. It’s really shifting. Of course initially people have difficulties getting into the cold shower, I know. But the benefits far outweigh the investment. As the tone of your vascular muscles improves so does your blood flow, which gives you more energy so your energy levels go up and your stress goes down. That is what a cold shower does. All the stressful activities we do in our work and emotional life leave behind a biochemical residue. By breathing deeply, belly breathing, we cleanse the body and break down anxiety. That’s what the breathing does and it works.

How does this translate to Freeze the Fear? What can we expect from the show?

Through the cold, through deep breathing, you can master control over your mind, your body and your fear. ‘Grab the bull by the horns’ as we say in the Netherlands! The first big challenge for the celebrities is jumping into the icy water of a frozen lake. Most of these celebrities hate the cold! Think of a thick layer of ice and disappearing underneath it into a totally different world. Once you’re down there it’s scary, claustrophobic. You lose control. It’s too cold! It takes over - and that is very scary. But it’s all about facing your fears and getting a hold over them. In the end of course it was a great experience. Later in the series, these celebrities were spending10, 11 minutes in icy water, no problem. Fully tranquil, fully serene, in control. This is the way to deal with stress. And they showed within a couple of episodes how to tackle that. It was majestic! The change is transformational. It was a beautiful setting in the middle of the mountains in Italy, with the snow, valleys and frozen waterfalls, but I want people to know that the dramatic challenges on screen also relate to people sitting in their living rooms and the challenges we all face in our daily lives.

And you were their mentor and taskmaster, is that right?

After 46 years of cold exposure, I am the man who has done all the field work, who is tranquil, peaceful, powerful. It’s an entertainment show, of course, but my role is instructional and I hope it will make people at home think about themselves too - and maybe even start practising the breathing on the sofa. 

How did you get on working with hosts Holly and Lee?

It was so great working with Holly and Lee - we were like the three musketeers! They are both funny people.

Holly is so professional and yet a very emotional person as well. She really understands my mission, that I’m sharing tools to help people deal much better with their emotions in day-to-day life. This is a show about life and the celebrities are immersing themselves in their deepest fears and going deep into their own emotions, so Holly is the perfect person to be asking them questions and leading them through – she’s like the golden host with her sweet voice.

And Lee is a great guy. He’s wired to be funny. This is no ski holiday for the celebrities; they face the darkness within themselves through the cold, through challenging themselves. He was impressed by them, and he does his beautiful, funny take on it all, making it light – because sometimes it can be heavy when you have to face your fears - but a person like Lee is able to make it funny by saying something witty which works and it makes it lighter and brighter.

What were your impressions of the celebrities?

We have many different personalities, powers, angles in the group but, in the end, you will see that all these people are not just celebrities, they are real people, you can identify with them.  They have vulnerability, deep fears and traumas that come up, as it does with everybody. You cannot say you don’t have it because you’re a celebrity. They have it like anybody else! In the series you see these celebrities going from 0 to 1000 by showing that they are able to break through, where in the beginning they have so much fear. They jump in there, gaining control, overcoming the cold, suddenly connecting with an eager potential within.

What do you hope that people will take away from the show?

A cold shower a day keeps the doctor away! Anybody can do it! That is the message of the show. Try it and see for yourself. Get into a cold shower and do some deep breathing. The cold trains the cardiovascular system, stress goes down, energy levels go up, that’s the BOOM! And deep breathing calms your anxiety making you feel more confident.

Stress can come in many ways: emotional stress, mental stress, bacterial stress, viral stress, inflammation, the stress of being isolated in covid times, the stress of having to meet goals at work. And by using these tools you will be much more in tune with your body, have much less stress and much better energy, more confidence in yourself so you can conquer your fears.

Holly Willoughby Q&A

How did you first hear about Wim Hof?

I first heard about Wim Hof through a friend of mine who is very much into fitness and mental health. He gave me Wim’s book and was initially talking about the breathing and how he found it really, really helpful. So I originally read it because I was interested in that and then you discover ‘the Ice Man’ and that there’s this other side to him as well. I tried the breathing and I instantly felt the benefit and couldn’t believe how powerful it was. Something as simple as breathing, which you’ve been doing since the day you were born. 

How long have you been following his methods and why do you like them so much?

I’ve dipped in and out of it really. It’s not something I’ve done religiously. I do find the cold shower thing really hard. I have done it, but I don’t like it although I do feel better afterwards which makes it really annoying that I can’t commit to it. If I go away on holiday or something, I’m like ‘right I’m going to go and do it then’. I find it much easier if it’s the summer or if it’s sunny, but Wim would tell me off for that because you can’t be a fair-weather Wim Hoffer.

Wim is very well known through social media and his podcast etc but what is he like in-person and how does he gain the trust of the celebrities?

He is larger than life, there are no two ways about it! But when someone has dedicated their life to a passion like this, and a passion that they know can help so many people, you can understand it. This is something for him that was born out of real sadness. He lost his wife, he had to bring up his children by himself, so he has kind of dedicated his life to making sure that people have a toolkit to be able to look after their own mental health and cope and it means everything to him. I think that is so infectious - when you’re around him you can feel it and it’s really powerful. So I think the reason you gain his trust is also because what he’s teaching you is really simple and you can really feel the benefits; you can start with the breath work and within moments, you go ‘oh ok I understand that’ or ‘I can feel the difference’ and I think the moment you can actually feel something changing, then you trust in the process more.” 

What were the challenges of the environment?

Lee and I didn’t actually have to do any of the major challenges, but it didn’t mean that we didn’t get cold. It was freezing. Some days, it was minus 5 or 6. I had heat packs in every layer of my ski suit possible. I know, poor old me ha!

It’s not a competition so no-one gets eliminated, but did any of the celebrities feel like dropping out at any stage?

I don’t think any of them felt like dropping out, but I think this experience is very different because it’s also alright not to do something: nobody is being forced to jump into the frozen lake or to abseil face first down the side of a mountain. All those things were like ‘this is your choice’. It was really putting the power in their hands, this wasn’t down to a load of producers going ‘no actually we’re forcing you to do this and if you can’t you get kicked out and have to leave’. The power was with the person. It was a choice. I think that the moment you have the power to say yes or no you don’t want to quit. You don’t have to leave because it’s ok, tomorrow there might be something you can do. And also, you learn through not doing stuff as well. That idea of failing to do something, there’s a lesson within that as well.

Were there lots of emotional moments?

Yes, there were. Funnily enough, the breathing exercise which I think the celebrities thought initially was going to be like going to the spa for the day, just a real chilled out ‘yeah let’s go do some breathing’, was such an emotional release for a lot of them and took them to places I don’t think they thought they were going to go to. There was a lot of healing and it’s extraordinary to watch because you’re thinking ‘I can’t quite believe that just by breathing, you can achieve something like this’and I loved it and literally wanted to join it. But you’ve got Lee who is a little bit more wary of these types of things and even he said that if he was watching this on TV, he wouldn’t believe it. But actually being there and seeing it unfold with his own eyes, he was like ‘I just want to stress that this is absolutely real’.

What was it like working with Lee for the first time?

I loved working with Lee. I’m a huge fan of his anyway. One of our favourite shows as a family is ‘Would I Lie To You?’ so we love him, but spending time with him, we had such a laugh. He is relentless in his ability to just make me giggle constantly, so it was really good fun.

How did you both cope with the cold and how involved did you get?

We did get involved in one game which we demoed to the contestants, so we did give it a go and that one was a challenge and a competition. It was a bit of a race, and you’ll have to watch to see who goes first, but all I’m going to say is that I was quite pleased with myself. 

Do you think you’d be able to tackle the challenges that the celebs did and how did it feel watching them progress through them?

It’s funny because you watch it and think ‘ugh I couldn’t do that’ and then when you’re there and you’re listening to Wim, I think that’s when he comes into his own. The moment he tells you to do something and talks you through it he makes you feel in control and powerful, then you go ‘right, I could actually do this’ and I think the experience that they had actually doing cold water therapy with Wim Hof is such an opportunity. I’d absolutely jump at the chance of doing it, yeah of course I would. 

What do you hope viewers will take away from the series?

I think the viewers will actually discover a few techniques that may help them in their own lives. Because a cold shower is something everybody can do. I came away with a feeling of being more in control of my own mind, listening to the chatter and thinking ‘is that mine or is that fear speaking? How do I really feel about this situation?’ So there is a shift and there is a mind-set change that comes with being around someone like that.

Any funny anecdotes from filming?

Yes, a ridiculous number of funny anecdotes…. There are loads about Lee, but I don’t know if he’ll want me telling them. It is like working with Frank Spencer - he loses everything. He lost two sets of car keys and had to get somebody out to break into his car. Loads of stuff like that.

Lee Mack Q&A

Did you know of Wim Hof prior to doing the show?

I knew of him but just the very basics. I’ve talked about Buddhism in a podcast I did called “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddha” so I was aware of him through that.  I’d had one go at a breathing app of his on YouTube I think and I found that really intense.  I knew what Wim looked like, but that was about it, so it was entry-level - probably like a lot of viewers.

What was it like working with Wim superfan Holly for the first time as a presenting duo?

I’d worked with Holly before on other shows but in terms of doing a proper show with her, if I’m going to be honest that was probably my favourite part of the whole experience because, apart from being really lovely and very good at what she does, she’s also got this incredibly natural comic timing; there are a few little scripted inserts, tiny really, but as a comic and a writer those are the bits you are passionate about and want to get right and she just nailed them instantly.  I mean I’ve worked with a lot of people and she’s as good as any comedic actress or comedian in terms of nailing it and knowing where the jokes are.

What did you make of Wim?

Wim’s brilliant – I mean he’s crazy as hell but in all the best ways a bit nuts.  I’ve never known anyone so passionate about what he does.  He will talk on camera for ever about his subject and whereas most people in any profession, when the interview stops will talk about something else, he just carries on: ‘And cut’ and you will say ‘So how are you today Wim?’ and he will answer ‘Oh, it’s good because today I breathed and when you breathe it affects the brain at a certain level’ and you just go ‘Have a day off!’  So he’s full on with it but his enthusiasm and energy are contagious.  Put it this way, I’ve worked with Patrice Evra before, who is known as the crazy man of football, and even he found Wim a bit crazy!

What did you think of the way the celebrities coped? Do you think you would have been able to complete the challenges?

One hundred percent not!  I absolutely cannot tell you how much I wouldn’t have been able to do it, in fact not only would I not have been able to do it, I made it very clear from the outset that ‘Yes I would love to present this show but there are a few things you need to know, I am doing nothing, and when I say nothing I don’t mean a little but none of this.’ I don’t like heights for starters – but I suppose if I had to do one challenge I could have done the cold. In fact swimming under the ice was the one thing that got a lot of them and I remember thinking: ‘After everything you’ve done, I think that’s the one I might be able to do.’ But anything to do with heights… What was really interesting was there were effectively three categories that they did: the first based on fear which was often to do with heights; things to do with cold - so ice cold water and barely wearing anything in freezing temperatures - and breathing.  The one that affected them the most in terms of altering their psyche was the breathing.  That was where we saw the most emotional outpouring and tears; you think it would be the easiest one of the three because it’s ‘Lie on your back - and breathe - and relax’ but Wim’s not like that.

Have you seen that scene in ‘Full Metal Jacket’ where the sergeant major is just screaming at the soldiers?  That’s what it’s like.  It’s intense.  The session lasts about an hour and it’s full on. It’s not like relaxing, meditative breathing.  It’s the one thing I did try and I had to stop; I got quite light-headed and it actually hurts. You really do have to build yourself up to it...

How did you cope with the cold environment?

The real truth is I thought it would be quite amusing for me if the celebrities were in the cold and I was constantly wearing a fake fur coat with a mug of hot chocolate, but actually the reality is that I suffer from the opposite - so actually I’m too hot all the time, so even when it looks as if I’m wrapped up warm, most of the time I’m absolutely boiling!

What do you think viewers will take away from the series?

The two main things you can ‘do at home’ as it were are the breathing and the cold showers – and I should point out that the cold showers at home are entry level because your coldest water at home is nothing like as freezing as what the celebrities experienced, because they were faced by truly freezing cold water. I’ve been told that your water at home only gets to something like – well, I wouldn’t know – 10 degrees or so but this is as cold as you can get. I’ll guess viewers will take away the idea of giving it a go, the breathing and the cold showers.  Although I should add that there’s a lot of it that not only can’t they have a go at but they absolutely shouldn’t have a go because it’s really dangerous.  I don’t want people to go out and think ‘I’ll try and walk down a cliff face instead of abseiling normally or indeed swim under ice. I mean the entry level is brutal enough.  As for the cold showers– I’ve had one and they are horrific.  So if you can get through that that’s a great start to the first year of practising it! 

Any funny anecdotes from filming?

Holly introduced me to a card game called S*** Head - or whatever you want to call it!  That became an obsession of hers and mine and we played it at every opportunity. Also, I suppose I’ve always had a slightly perverse attitude towards comedy in that I want it to be really easy or really hard, I don’t want something in between the two.  There are moments when you’ve got eight celebrities stood on the ice wearing virtually no clothes and about to do something that’s terrifying and ‘It’s over to Lee now to say some amusing things’… You can definitely say in the world of comedy that this would be classed as a tough crowd.  I quite like that - when I tell a joke I want everyone to laugh or second best is no one laughing and you can say ‘Oh well, I found it funny.’  It’s very hard to make someone laugh when they’re stood there in their swimwear whilst crying… it’s hard enough making the Sunderland Empire laugh. Imagine that!

Yung Filly Q&A

How was filming in the cold with Wim and the rest of the cast? Any funny anecdotes from filming?

The whole experience was amazing to me.  We got to film outside of my comfort zone and I push myself more than I have ever done before – and when you’re working alongside Munya you know you are going to be having a laugh – not sure I can share some of those jokes though!

What was working with Munya like?

Munya was a good fit for this show. You would think that we have done a lot of shows together but this was our first series together and the second time on screen together. Really made the experience a lot easier and more enjoyable. 

What can viewers expect from the series?

A Yung Filly they haven’t seen yet but still very me and also a duo that no one knew we needed...

Munya Chawawa Q&A

How was filming in the cold with Wim and the rest of the cast? Any funny anecdotes from filming?

Wim Hof is an icy enigma; that should be his LinkedIn header. I listened to him on a podcast years ago, whilst eating a Nobbly Bobbly [icecream]... so there was something quite poetic about him telling me to breathe whilst I plunged into a -68 degree lake. Honestly, he's one of a kind, he loves life and I'm so glad I got the chance to meet him.

What was working with Filly like?

I loved working with Filly - his energy is electric and his charisma fills the room / igloo; I can't think of anyone else I'd rather suffer hypothermia next to. He's probably too busy to write a quote about me - but I imagine it's something to do with how brilliant and talented I am, and how if he was even 1% of the man I am - it would be a dream come true. 

What can viewers expect from the series?

For years, people have been crying out 'Munya - we want to see you half naked, sprinting through the snow next to a shouting Dutch man!'. Well my friends, buckle up - because that frosty fantasy is about to come true. There's laughter, there's tears and potentially some frost bite... I'm not sure, it still hasn't changed colour... but yes, sorry: watch the show!

Meet the contestants

Alfie Boe Q&A

Alfie Giovanni Roncallie Boe OBE is an English tenor and actor, notably performing in musical theatre.

Had you ever encountered Wim Hof prior to doing the show?

Funnily enough, I was at a dinner party with a couple of friends and I was telling them about this opportunity to go on this adventure, and one of them said that he’d employed a Wim Hof expert to come to his office to teach everybody his breathing techniques. I’d also done a bit of research on YouTube, so I had a good idea of how crazy he and his challenges were! 

How did Wim gain your confidence then when you were doing all these challenges? 

I think the sheer energy and positivity of Wim instils a certain confidence one needs when facing challenges. I have a huge amount of respect for him. It’s incredible what he’s managed to achieve in his own life and I wanted to try and embrace an element of that for the challenges we faced here and also in my life. Taking on board his persona and energy as much as possible really helped me through the experience. His encouraging words motivated me, I trusted him and he genuinely cared. I keep in touch with him, send him pictures and messages and we talk regularly. First and foremost I just wanted to be his friend. Having people like that in your life is the positive kind of energy you need.    

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest and were there any elements that you thought would be difficult but were actually fine in the end?

I actually thought that swimming under the ice would be quite challenging: it is quite a scary thing to swim in a thick frozen lake from one hole to another. But I absolutely embraced it and loved it! It was freezing but felt great, amazing thing to do. That was the second to last challenge and for me personally that was a moment where I felt like I’d achieved my goal. 

What surprised you most about doing these challenges and did you learn anything about yourself in the process?

I was surprised at how much I could take. The challenge I really wanted to master was staying in the lake for as long as possible. We were told to sit in it for 4 minutes but somehow I stayed there for 10. Wim tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘OK, come on Alfie - you’ve done it man, come on out!’ I told him‘Wim, that was for your wife - I did that for her’, because I wanted to be kind and to show him how much I respected him and everything he has gone through. What I learnt from the experience was how emotional each challenge was for me. I now realise that in the same way as you embrace the cold or acknowledge the fear, you have to acknowledge your own insecurities, your worries, your problems, your issues and once you embrace them, they’re easier to deal with.

Which of the celebs did you bond with the most?

Everyone in the group was amazing, but I guess I formed a particularly strong bond with Owain and Dianne. We really encouraged eachother throughout. I love those guys loads, but truly enjoyed my time with everyone.

Which parts of the experience would you take forward with you into your everyday life?

It’s funny you should say that!  I've been hiking in the hills here in Utah, trekking in shorts and trainers, just walking, embracing the cold whilst it's snowing and I love it! The cold showers I could easily give up - I’d rather sit in a river or a frozen lake or walk barefoot in the show. It’s the cold challenges that really inspired me the most because they have that natural element to fight against and they have the fear element as well. 

Have you got any funny anecdotes from filming?

I’d say the thing I enjoyed doing most was when we were in the tent and Dianne gave me a dance lesson for when I apply to appear on Strictly! That was fun! She was an amazing teacher. One minute she turned round and said ‘Catch me Alfie’ and she just fell and I was like ‘OK I've got you!’. I feel like I've been taught by a master really - but I'm still rubbish. Who knows - if I do apply to do Strictly perhaps I'll get Dianne as my partner. 

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Dianne Buswell Q&A

Dianne Buswell is an Australian professional dancer and YouTuber.  She is best known for her appearances on the British television show Strictly Come Dancing.

Had you ever encountered Wim Hof before doing the show?

Yes, I was actually already a fan of Wim. I had watched virtually all of his YouTube videos, whether it was just him or a collaboration he had done with somebody.  I find him fascinating - so when I heard about the show it was actually a no-brainer for me: I thought ‘This is my chance, I can finally try his techniques for real’ and I didn’t hesitate.

As a professional dancer from Australia, how did you cope with the cold environment?

As a dancer I feel like I have a strong mindset already, but this experience built on that. Being from Australia didn’t help at all - I had never experienced cold like it.  When I was growing up, going to a cold place wasn’t really an option because it was so far away from us.  I’ve only seen snow in the last few years; this was so, so different from anything I’m used to.

How did Wim gain your confidence in doing all these challenges? 

Wim has an aura about him which is unique and he teaches you techniques which help you along the way, but he doesn’t put any pressure on you, just his presence is so calming and reassuring. He told us over and over again: ‘You’re so much stronger than you believe,’ and that really resonated with me and helped me a lot.

What surprised you most about doing these challenges with Wim and did you learn anything about yourself throughout the process?

I learnt that I’m definitely not as afraid as I thought I was.  It taught me that maybe the sense of fear was something locked in my head, from when I was a little girl.  I’m really afraid of heights and when I was doing the breathing exercises with Wim, memories would pop up in my head of my mum being so protective of us when we were kids: ‘Don’t do that - you’ll hurt yourself’ or ‘Don’t climb that tiny little flight of stairs, you might fall off’ those sorts of things came up for me.  But then you begin to realise that’s not a real fear.  So, when I was doing the challenges I felt a lot braver than I ever thought I could be.  Wim brings all of that out of you through his breathing techniques.

Which of the celebs in the group did you bond with the most? 

They’re all honestly the best people I’ve ever met.  We have a WhatsApp group and we talk to each other every day.  At least one of us will say how much we miss each other because we really do!  I loved all of them.  I would make Alfie a cup of coffee every morning without fail - he was like my big brother whilst Gabby was like my big sister; Owain and I instantly clicked; Stephen was so chilled whilst Patrice was just hilarious. In fact I’ve never laughed so much in my life. Tamzin is also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met and Chelcee is amazing - she makes me feel so uncool.  I think every person had a role, but if I were to pick just one it would be Owain - we’re like best friends. They’re an incredible group of people and I was so lucky to meet them all.

Which parts of the experience would you take forward in your everyday life? 

I will definitely keep practising the breathing technique as well as taking cold showers. On the flight home from London to Australia I couldn’t sleep and then we had an overlay somewhere en route and I felt awful.  But I thought to myself: ‘I’ve just done this amazing Wim Hof experience and I’m going to try the breathing.’  So I lay there listening to the Wim Hof app and I instantly felt full of energy, as if I’d had a full 8 hours of sleep, it was insane!  I even got [my partner] Joe to do it and he was like ‘Wow!  It actually really does work!’  I’m going to use the breathing technique to steady my nerves for Strictly!

Have you got any funny anecdotes from filming? 

We all had to sleep in a giant tent.  One night, none of us could get to sleep and  I suddenly thought I heard a snake.  In fact it was just the hose hissing!  We were in two sections, the southern and northern quarter, we called them - so Tamzin, Patrice, Owain and I were in our little section. We were a bit naughty because we really wanted some sweets, so we asked Patrice to run outside and get us lollies from somewhere.The lights were out, everyone was fast asleep but it didn’t end well and we got told off for trying to leave camp. But they did end up bringing us a load of lollies and we sat up like 12 year old girls at a sleepover chatting away.  It was an amazing experience - not just the Wim Hof techniques but the relationships we formed with one another.

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Owain Wyn Evans Q&A

Owain Wyn Evans is an award-winning television presenter and is known across the UK and beyond as the drumming weatherman who brings a certain level of flamboyance and panache to everything he does! 

Had you encountered Wim Hof before doing the show?

I had heard of Wim Hof previously and I’d tried the cold showers and breathing exercises. I’m quite an anxious person. Unnecessary anxiety has always been something that has been there in my life, worrying about stupid things so I thought that trying the cold showers would be useful although I absolutely despise cold water. But they did do something for me - and I tried a bit of Wim’s breathing stuff as well. But I think because I couldn't get over the fact that I didn't really like the cold I stopped. But when this opportunity came up to explore it more and actually work through the cold with Wim, I thought that it would be an amazing opportunity and maybe something that would actually help me overcome that fear of cold water.

You've been described as an ‘unapologetically flamboyant’ weather presenter and record-breaking drummer, so how did you cope with the cold environment?

I’m the sort of person who puts on lots of layers, I really don’t like getting cold. Sometimes in the winter I get into my car and I sort of scream because it's so cold! So, I was a bit apprehensive about doing this show, but that’s exactly why I wanted to do it. I wanted to see what Wim’s methods and cold therapy and exposure to ice and water could do to help me and to see whether I could actually do it. At the beginning I wasn't convinced that I’d be able to do any of the challenges although I felt that there was a good support team there in that I made some really good friends. For example, me and Dianne didn't really love the cold so there were things that we could talk about together and it was a shared experience that really helped.

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest or were there things that you thought you'd find difficult but didn't?

As somebody who wears three piece suits most days whether I'm drumming or doing the weather or making a short film or whatever, I always feel like I'm quite layered up. I naturally wear quite a lot of layers and love a three-piece suit, so the cold thing was always going to be a challenge for me. But that being said, when we were doing the height-based challenges, I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be. 

What surprised you most about doing Wim’s challenges? Did you learn anything about yourself in the process?

I learned a lot. I’m a people pleaser and I guess I’ve become more aware of things like that, but it’s not something I’m going to change because it's just part of my personality. I did learn that I can make decisions for myself more and I can be more independent in the things that I need to do for myself because I do rely a lot on other people for emotional support. But, with this experience you were there and you were exposed and you were alone. You had to make the decision whether or not you wanted to do these challenges. It definitely gave me strength and more confidence, and it was just great to be able to do this stuff and look back at it and think ‘oh my god I can’t believe I've done that!’

Which of the celebs did you bond with most during the experience?

It was a lovely group and we all got on. I think that was down to the fact that we were all there together doing something that was massively out of our comfort zone. Nobody there really loved the thought of jumping off things from a height or going into cold water. I bonded with Dianne quite quickly. We’re both quite playful people and we just like having a laugh and I think that most of the time that's the first thing that goes when you're scared, and we both tried to help each other and build each other up a lot. Alfie Boe was amazing as well, he’s such a gent. There were times when I got upset and Alfie helped me, and you don't forget those things. Equally, Patrice and I got quite close, he’s just a lovely guy to be around his world and mine would never normally meet so it was great to spend some time with him. We’re all still in touch, which is really good, and I'm seeing Dianne in a couple of weeks actually. 

Which if any parts of the experience will you take forward in everyday life?

This experience with Wim has changed my life, because not only am I no longer afraid of things that I was afraid of, but I do the breathing exercises and I’m able to take cold showers for longer (I don’t love them, but I still do them!) When I look back at the first time, I had to jump into that ice lake and I was crying, in comparison to where I was at the end of the show, that's something that I have with me now. It's 100% been a life changing experience for me in a positive way and I was not expecting it to have such an effect on me.

I’ve always felt that as a man a lot of the time we don’t show our emotions and, as a young gay man, I conditioned myself to put a lot of things in boxes and hide them away, as far as my personality was concerned. Growing up in a mining town in the late ‘80s early ‘90s, it wasn’t an easy palace to be a gay man so I went through a time where I tried to hide my emotions. But now I feel quite liberated because if I want to get upset, then I’ll get upset. In a way I didn't really want to cry during any of the challenges but because I did let myself get upset and be true to myself, I felt quite liberated. It’s alright to show that you don't like something and that was something I found interesting when doing things that were really scary. I don’t know if that comes from having been a drummer for years and being in rugby clubs and places where I felt like I had to put on quite a masculine veneer; breaking that down whilst doing these challenges felt very liberating for me, I have to say.

Any funny anecdotes from filming?

I always laughed seeing Holly and Lee because I’d look at them and go ‘Alright darlings?’ and they'd be there dressed up in big layers with Lee in his faux furs. I was always very jealous of Lee in his faux fur and Holly always looked amazing in her jumpsuits whilst I was practically just standing there in my pants most of the time looking at them! That was quite a surreal moment being on a frozen lake, next to Holly Willoughby, in my pants! Dianne and I were nicknamed ‘the babettes’ by them and there were moments where I’d be doing something utterly weird and then I would turn around and see Tamzin cheering me on or whatever. A lot of it was quite surreal and that was just lovely - because the situation was so obscure sometimes that it made the whole thing hilarious.​​

Seeing Dianne doing a lot of the height-based stuff was something that I was super proud of, because I remember going for a walk with her just before we started filming and we were walking along a mountain path and she was hanging on to the edge because she didn't want to go anywhere near the drop to the side of the path. I found the whole experience lovely, really scary - and it's something that has changed my life. 

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Patrice Evra Q&A

Patrice Evra is a French football coach and former professional player.  Originally a forward, he primarily played as a left-back. Evra served as captain for both Manchester United and the France national team. 

​​Had you encountered Wim Hof prior to doing the show?

I’ll be honest: I had never heard about Wim, not even his breathing methods.  But my manager persuaded me when he said: “Patrice, you will have the chance to spend three weeks with these guys in Northern Italy, you’re crazy!” so I said “OK, let’s do it!”

As a coach and former international football player from France, how did you cope with the cold environment?

As a former international football player, I always hated the cold.  I’ve always hated ice baths even if there were good benefits - you know, when you have a knot or after an intense training session, but I am someone who was always against the cold.

How did Wim gain your confidence?

I think Wim gained my confidence the first time we saw each other, when he came out of nowhere in the snow in just his shorts and was screaming before the first challenge.  I asked him to do something like ten press-ups with me before I jumped into that frozen lake and I remember when we did the one-on-one chats, he was like “you were ready for the challenge and I love your energy, you’re so powerful and scared of nothing, so we are going to change the world together.”  So the very first time I saw Wim, I think he told me I had already gained his confidence. 

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest? Or were there things you thought you’d find difficult but didn’t?

The part of the experience that I found the hardest was being away from my woman, Margaux and my baby Lilas, I’ll be honest with you.  But also the hardest part was for me was to say no to a challenge. 

What surprised you most doing Wim Hof’s challenges? Did you learn anything about yourself?

What surprised me the most during the Wim Hof challenges is… nothing.  What did I learn about myself?  I am officially a good crazy guy: there is one challenge, and you will see during the episode that even though I smashed it and stayed more than sixteen minutes in a frozen lake, I still didn’t like myself, or the reflection of myself, because it was someone who didn’t have any limits, but you need to see the show and you will understand what I mean.  I was thinking I would struggle more with the cold, but I just prepared my mindset as a challenge, as a warrior.  Then to be honest the most difficult was to let it go, not to do a challenge.

Which of the celebs did you bond with most during the experience?

Most of them. I think it is difficult to pick one - we were like a team, we experienced overcoming our fears together. We shared something nice. I think some people sometimes fake it, but this was real - and of course I will maybe say Tamzin – yes, Tam, because I call her my sister and we were making jokes and she is really funny. But it was also the same with Gabby, and with Chelcee, with Owain. I would say the participant who really impressed me the most was Owain for sure. 100%. 

Which, if any, parts of this experience will you take forward with you in everyday life?

I think I need to take part. I mean sometimes I need to take care of myself instead of taking care of everybody else, that is what I learned from this experience.

Any funny anecdotes from filming?

There are so many funny anecdotes. The big one was – wow! You’ll have to see for yourselves!  You’re going to have a lot of surprises, trust me. I think the Silent Game was crazy!  I think you are all going to laugh a lot guys!

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Professor Green Q&A

​​Firmly established as one of the crossover superstars of British music, the Hackney born and raised rapper Professor Green, otherwise known as Stephen Manderson, has released two Top Three albums and amassed a career tally of over three million combined sales in the UK alone. 

Had you ever encountered Wim Hof before doing the show?

I had tried his breathing techniques a couple of times. I thought he was wild! He came across as the most energetic guy, to have all that energy at his age, I was getting tired just watching him!  He's certainly an interesting chap.

As a rapper and mental health activist yourself, how did you cope with the really cold environment?

I took part because my mental health has not been at its best. I hit quite a low point last year and I just really wanted to reboot and get my energy back.  I knew that the cold-water swimming was perfect for that as it’s something I’ve used intermittently. I understand the benefits of cryotherapy [cold water therapy] but I wanted to do it properly - as it's supposed to be done.

How did Wim gain your confidence in doing all these challenges?

Wim just has a brilliant way about him. He gets you to set your intention and lets you make your own decisions. It's always completely up to you, he's not coaxing you into something. 

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest overall and were there any parts of it that you thought you'd find difficult but actually weren’t in the end?

I was quite worried about the environment that we were in and not being able to choose my own bedtime because if I'm at home and I want to have an early night I will. I was worried about not getting enough sleep and the effect that would have on me and my ability to see through the tasks, but I actually slept quite well - and that was helped by the breathing exercises Wim did with us. You lie down, close your eyes and start off doing 3-4 rounds (we ended up doing 6) of 30-40, sometimes 50 breaths in and out, breathing in deep but not worrying about pushing all the air out. There’s no graceful way to do it - you’re spluttering sometimes because you're trying to keep up. By the fifth or sixth round you begin to feel like you're inhaling gas and air - I got hit by a car once and was given them and it actually mimics that.

But everyone had very different experiences.  Some people were impacted really deeply and saw relatives who had passed. The last time we did it I heard the most incredible ‘shhh’ noise and I don’t know how long it went on for, but I didn't want it to stop.  People talk about having out of body experiences, but I felt very much like I had the opposite of that which is also quite profound.  It was a very inward body experience. Wim said, ‘follow the breath, go with the breath’ and I couldn't tell you where I was in my body at that point: there was none of that normal nervous energy bouncing around, my mind was so still. Then all of a sudden, the noise stopped and I was back. 

It's amazing to think that practising breathing for just 15-20 minutes a day can reduce inflammation in your body. Just think about the cumulative effects if you're able to do that.  Everyone can find 20 minutes in the day - we just have to make it work. Going away and having a digital detox - not having my phone for the best part of three weeks - was hard because I couldn’t see my son or my partner.  But now I just don't care about my phone anymore; I don't have that addictive tendency to just sit and scroll. 

What surprised you most about doing these challenges with Wim and did you learn anything about yourself throughout the process?

It reminded me that I can put myself in a situation which is completely abstract with a bunch of strangers and not only survive the experience but contribute. We all bonded with the very first challenge we did together. 

Which of the celebs in the group did you bond with the most?

I loved everyone, they're a great bunch. I must say Gabby was amazing and I probably bonded most with her, Chelcee and Patrice - he’s the most gorgeous human being I think I have ever come across; really honest, good natured and kind with real strength.

Which then if any parts of the experience or anything that Wim’s taught you would you take forward in your everyday life?

I have cold showers every day now.  I don't do the breathing as often as I should but even when I was feeling ill, I got into the shower looked at the hot water and thought ‘nope cold!’  Although we all like our creature comforts, we didn't evolve that way.  Lovely as they are, they make us weak and don’t encourage us to use our bodies in the ways that we should, to take space and find peace of mind or to breathe how we should.  I wrote an article for a book called ‘Smart Phone, Stupid People’ about the fact that relying on phones literally robs you of your faculties. 

I think that these little moments of discomfort are good for you - just start small, say a sixty second cold shower, what is a minute out of your day?  You spend time feeling uncomfortable on a tube - so in the comfort of your own home why not have a cold shower when the rewards are huge?  Increase to two, three, four minutes - it's a very small part of your day. I’ll never stop doing it now.

Have you got any funny anecdotes from filming?

That’s like asking someone which is their favourite album! There were so many funny moments.  Personally, I’d like to see a montage of how many times I walked into things or hit my head on something, I was the clumsiest person there, no shadow of a doubt!  I’d also like to see a montage of me saying: ‘I’m cold’ or ‘Oh it’s chilly!’

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Chelcee Grimes Q&A

Chelcee Grimes is an award-winning English singer, songwriter, television presenter and footballer. 

Had you encountered Wim Hof prior to doing the show?

No, not personally. But I did have friends already doing cold showers and cold water therapy who swore by it.  One friend, fellow songwriter and Eurovision contestant James Newman also had Wim in his music video and attended one of Wim’s camps and told me how insane it was, so when I got the chance to do this show I jumped at it.

As a footballer, presenter and singer-songwriter, how did you cope with the cold environment?

People always say: “Wow, you do so many things… what can't you do?” I'd joke around and say: “I can’t cook and I can't stand the cold,” and that was true. But since doing the show I now smash out cold showers on a daily basis. I also took cooking lessons when I got back home so I'll have to change my answers now! I think I’ve done pretty well – I’m really proud of myself for what I’ve achieved on a personal level. 

How did Wim gain your confidence?

A lot of people wouldn't know I had ADHD - and one of my biggest struggles is social anxiety and confidence in groups of people I don't know - but being on the show there were so many bigger things to worry about - LIKE THE CHALLENGES!!!  - that I didn't really feel like I usually do and panic or overthink.  My confidence grew massively after each challenge. I would never have been able to do what I did without Wim... especially the last challenge! 

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest?  Or were there things you thought you’d find difficult but didn’t?

The hardest thing for me was the 'letting go'. Patrice and I struggled with the breathing exercise - I thought I was quite connected to my emotions being a writer, but obviously there was a block somewhere and trauma that I still had underlying which was magical to find and release.  The thing I struggled most with was also kind of the same thing... Not expecting to find hidden trauma is traumatic because it was so unexpected.  Swimming under ice for me really affected me but, like Wim kept telling us 'the ice is a mirror' and it shows you anything you've been trying to run from.

What surprised you most doing Wim Hof’s challenges?  Did you learn anything about yourself?

I learned about myself even more. I wanted to do this show after all the work I'd been doing on myself prior to doing this. Going sober, doing a stint of celibacy, learning to love myself fully… I'm usually safe in myself but this show pushed me to do things I never, ever would have done if it wasn't for Wim and this group of people. It showed me that I'm stronger than I thought, more emotional than I thought and more aware of my emotions. I love life and I think it's always about learning and I never want to stop… but this was like I just had the biggest life lesson I could ever have wished for... it really was life changing. 

Which of the celebs did you bond with most during the experience?

I didn't have a favourite. I'm kind of a lone wolf - I can chop in and out of groups of people wherever I am, wherever I go. I get awkward yes, but I can still hold conversations with a brick wall... I loved getting to know everyone on the show. It really wouldn't have been the same without any of them... But Patrice and Tamzin’s friendship on the show was the most weird and wonderful thing I've ever experienced and kept us laughing the whole way!

Which if any parts of this experience will you take forward with you in everyday life?

COLD SHOWERS!  Honestly, in my gym I was trying to practise before the show, and I couldn't even stand close enough for the water to splash onto me off the wall and now I take 2 to 3 minute cold showers in my sleep! Also, the mindset of what I've achieved - I'll take that with me forever and will always hold the memories so close to me. Nothing scares me as much as it used to, and I think that's something money can't buy... This experience gave me a new mindset and that’s priceless.

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Gabby Logan Q&A

Dedicated and professional with a fantastic sense of humour, Gabby is one of the UK’s leading broadcasters and has recently been recognised with an MBE for services to sports broadcast and promoting women in sport.  

Had you encountered Wim Hof prior to doing the show?

I had heard of Wim Hof on podcasts and seen his Instagram but I was pretty naive about his background and what led him to be such a passionate advocate of the cold as a form of therapy.

As a sports TV presenter and former international gymnast, how did you cope with the cold environment?

I am not sure my background in sport helped me at all. I was pretty allergic to the cold!  I love my job but one of the hardest parts for me is the outdoor broadcasting in winter, trying to stay warm while being sharp and mentally dexterous and look ‘chic’ and not like I am about to go skiing.  I have had some horrible experiences where I have worn the wrong clothes and ended up going blue with numb hands. Your brain seems to shut down as a way of coping - which is not ideal when you are trying to communicate on live TV. But where sport did help was my mindset. I knew that I could achieve more than I thought so I had to shift that voice which wanted me to give up. I was amazed how I was able to quieten that negative voice so quickly with the tools Wim gave us. 

How did Wim gain your confidence?

Wim gained my confidence by telling his story - laying it out at the very beginning was a powerful communication to us all about his journey. His spirit and energy are infectious and of course he lives an exaggerated version of what most of us can achieve. But the way he broke things down and the fact that what he was offering was free and accessible for all was where I really bought in. 

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest? Or were there things you thought you’d find difficult but didn’t?

I found the heights tough as I was very scared of heights prior to doing the show. I don’t even like sitting by a window in a high building! The first forward abseil was something I never thought I could achieve, but after that I became much more confident with what I could do, and I trusted the process. I hated the first immersion into the ice-cold lake - it was literally breath-taking.

But the cold challenges had an incredible effect physiologically on me. I loved the feeling after the ice challenges and my body tingled and felt so alive. The most impactful was the breathing. I have never experienced anything like the first breathing session and what happened when I felt like Tamzin’s mum was with me was just extraordinary. I don’t know to this day what happened and how I can describe to you the overwhelming sense of love that was around me and flowing through me, it was almost tangible.

Which of the celebs did you bond with most during the experience?

I loved all of my tent mates, I think we looked out for each other. The very early experience I had with the breathing and Tamzin’s mum seemed to cement what was already a blossoming friendship. I think we are very alike but also really different and we celebrate our differences because we are women of a certain age who have experienced so many different things in life. Rather than trying to be younger and fight ageing or being nostalgic for our youth, I think we have both found our mojo in midlife and that is a very liberating thing.  I think she is a superb woman and I loved her energy.  We had a similar sense of humour, which Patrice was also party to.

Patrice was a joy to have around and perhaps the person who surprised me the most. I was half expecting a slightly entitled ex footballer, someone who might not mix, but what I discovered was a man who is going through a metamorphosis and was open to change and was a great team player. He was definitely the silliest of us, which takes some doing. Chelcee was also someone who surprised me, and I really loved our chats. She’s as competitive as I am but with our twenty-year age gap, we had a good laugh about it. She just about stopped short of calling me Grandma - although she does send me the Grandma emoji on messages! Chelcee is a proper role model and a super woman. 

Professor Green was a very quiet and controlled man, and he had a lovely energy. I really felt how much he was missing his little boy and I think that was tough for him. Owain and Dianne come as a pair as they bonded so quickly and had a lovely relationship. He is a joyful human and she is also a bundle of fun: together when I think of them I just see a bursting box of colour! Alfie is the person I think wanted to get the most from the experience; he was very focused and engaged by Wim.

Which, if any, parts of this experience will you take forward with you in everyday life?

The experience has changed me. I am still cold showering and looking to buy an ice bath! I have done a few breathing sessions too and will always use the breathing. I generally feel more calm and able to put things into perspective quicker. Also, it is really important as one gets older to embrace change and to listen to new ideas. I think that will keep me inquisitive and stop my mindset from getting stuck. This includes meeting people who have a different opinion and life experience from your own. As a group we really did come from diverse backgrounds and that was so important to me - we shared our stories and that can only help one to appreciate diversity in every form.

Any funny anecdotes from filming?

Every single day was funny. From the late-night antics of the ‘naughty hoffers’ when we set out to steal sweets to the singing, dancing and drumming in the tent and the excellent silent game!  We laughed a lot and even when things got scary and serious, I think we enjoyed finding the ‘funny’. 

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Tamzin Outhwaite Q&A

Tamzin Outhwaite is an English actress, presenter and narrator. Since playing the role of Mel Owen in the BBC soap opera EastEnders she has starred in a number of theatre and television productions including army series Red Cap and crime drama New Tricks.

Had you ever encountered Wim Hof before doing the show?

Yes, but only online. I even signed up for a free trial of one of his breathing courses once, planning to use that when I meditate, but I didn't do it. I’d often see his name pop up because of the people that he’s associated with, like sports people and film stars. 

As a television and theatre actress yourself, how did you cope with the cold environment?

Well, I'm obsessed with warmth! I will always book a hot holiday and if I'm going anywhere spa wise, it's about the heat, the sauna, the steam. I feel like I should have been born in a hot country. I’m really against the cold because I ‘m so aware of it, even when it’s a quick change in the wings of a theatre. I was the person least likely to take a trip to Iceland, for instance, or Lapland. I love the idea of a ski trip - but in the months where it's not too cold.

How did Wim gain your confidence when you were doing these challenges?

Once I knew where I was going, I did a bit of research and looked at what Wim did. He's a fascinating human being; he feels slightly magical. I'm quite strong willed, but I feel like he could have persuaded me to do most things. There's something about his belief, and he's very gentle at the same time as being very powerful. Those are beautiful qualities to have in one human. I felt very safe with him.

Which part of the experience did you find the hardest? And were there parts that you thought you'd find really tricky, but you didn't in the end?

I didn't think I had an issue with heights, so that was news to me. I've done an awful lot of stunts when filming and I've flown around in theatres a lot. But I managed to deal with it. I knew I hated the cold, but I didn't think I'd ever make friends with it but there were moments where I felt quite comfortable in ice cold water. They were only moments, but it wasn't as painful as I imagined cold therapy would be. 

Swimming under ice was tricky. I felt really confident, but now I'm really scared at the thought because if you're not safety harnessed (which we were) you can lose your way as you can't see. I normally love doing yoga, but we did the yoga poses at a height, which is what made me feel scared of heights. If I had to do it all again now, knowing what I know, I don't know if I would. But in a way, it also changed the way I think about lots of things.

Which of the celebs did you bond with most during the experience?

It's very difficult to say, because you have moments with everyone. Owain and I used to wave to each other. Patrice was like my brother; I laughed my head off at everything he said and spent an awful lot of time trying to make him laugh. Similarly, I look up to Gabby because of what she's been through; she's the kind of woman you want around you because she's just goodness, straight down the line and wholesome. Chelcee's a revelation of a human being, someone else who's been through an awful lot and is such a high achiever. She knows exactly what she wants at such a young age… I adored them all.

Which, if any, parts of the experience would you take forward with you into everyday life?

The breathing was incredible - the things that came out of people's mouths: 'Take charge of your own life' is what Patrice kept saying and that’s a piece of advice I will take with me. The confidence they gave me to just be myself the whole time. I've learned something from every one of the people in there, but the experience itself, you could find something positive about all of it. You forgot sometimes that we were making a TV show because for me, it was a life changing experience that happened to be caught on camera.

Were there any funny anecdotes from filming?

Oh, far too many, I wouldn't know where to start! In the outtakes there must be tons of footage of us just mucking about like idiots. We just felt very free. We laughed a lot, we cried, we talked a lot, and our levels of being were so high because we were waking up in the morning and you're walking really far in the cold or you're swimming somewhere freezing so you're constantly stimulated. It's one of the best things I've ever done.

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Notes to Editors

Health and Safety

The series was filmed with strict health and safety procedures in place, under the supervision of trained professionals. All activities were supervised by a medical team.

All participants underwent a thorough physical assessment and mental wellbeing check before participating on the show. A duty of care a psychologist was also there to support the well being of the celebs and off screen talent.  

Trigger Warning

Please note a trigger warning ahead of reading Wim’s personal story. There will be a trigger warning ahead of the episode broadcast due to the discussion around suicide and mental health.

BBC Action Line Information and Support: Suicide / Emotional Distress

BBC Action Line Information and Support: Mental health and self harm

Safe cold water immersion

The dangers of cold-water swimming are communicated within the broadcast, see below to links for reference:       

https://www.weather.gov/safety/coldwater

https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/risks-cold-water/