71 Degrees North

[Perdita]

ITV has announced the commissioning of a celebrity-based reality TV show for 2010 called 71 Degrees North.

The show will be filmed on location in Norway and feature celebrities competing in challenges to test their mental and physical strength.

Stars will swim in frozen fjords, climb glaciers, parachute into mountains, white water raft, sea dive and kayak, with one sent home from the ITV1 show every week as the rest continue their quest to the North Cape.

ITV controller of entertainment Layla Smith said: "To compete in one of the most alien environments in the world will test the celebrities in ways we've never seen before.

"It will be fascinating to see how they cope in this exhilarating and beautiful landscape."

Karoline Spodsberg of Nordisk Film TV added to The Mirror: "We've seen a lot of manipulative reality shows, but this will be tough and truly challenging."

Does not sound too exciting imo

[lizann]

Gethin Jones has admitted that he feared for the contestants' lives on new reality show 71 Degrees North.

Jones, who hosts the show alongside Kate Thornton, described the Norway-based series as "incredibly compelling television".

The former Blue Peter presenter said that the challenges facing Shane Richie, Konnie Huq, Gavin Henson and the rest of the celebrities were potentially life-threatening.

Speaking about the icy ford swimming challenge, Jones said: "It doesn't look like much of a challenge but when the celebs get in, their faces are almost inhumane because of the way their body and mind react.

"It sounds dramatic but I kept thinking, 'Are they actually going to live?' We had to get a rope tied to them because it would be so dangerous if they missed the hole to get out. They were under a metre of ice and it was terrifying because it's pitch black, so you can't see what you're doing. They were freezing and there was a serious chance of cardiac arrest."

He added: "Even the strongest struggled. Rather than being a physical challenge, it was much more of a mental challenge."

71 Degrees North starts on Saturday at 9pm on ITV1.

[tammyy2j]

Is this any good?

[Perdita]

Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq has become the second celebrity voted off 71 Degrees North.

Huq was in the winning team in the second challenge alongside Joe Absolom, Marcus Patrick, Gavin Henson and Michelle Mone, but she was still picked for the chop by her fellow contestants in the final showdown.

Absolom was immune for elimination after he won this week's Immunity Challenge, which involved celebrities using ice picks to climb up a frozen waterfall in the quickest time possible. Huq was the only contestant not to reach the top of the waterfall.

The Xtra Factor host picked up six votes in the final showdown after annoying some members of the camp with her lack of effort. Other celebrities revealed that they had voted for her because she had experienced similar challenges during her time on Blue Peter.

"I voted for Konnie because she talked a lot and didn't do a lot," explained Absolom. Shane Richie said: "She did a TV job that enabled her to do this sort of thing."

"It's nothing to do with how far she got up the ice, or a personality clash," added Andrew Castle.

Speaking after her exit, Huq said: "It's such a shame to be going because it is only week two and I'm getting to know the other guys. But I don't think I'm an outward bounds person really."

71 Degrees North continues next Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1.

[Perdita]

Is this any good?

Only watched a short while, not my cup of tea

[tammyy2j]

There is way too much reality tv shows on now

[Chloe O'brien]

I agree Tammy but it's where the money is.

[lizann]

Ex-Hollyoaks actor Marcus Patrick triumphed in the 71 Degrees North final last night.

Patrick beat title favourite Gavin Henson in a final showdown on the ITV1 reality show, which involved racing with snow-dogs, a snow run and a leopard crawl rope crossing 100ft above the Arctic Ocean.

The former soap star managed to upset the odds and triumph over the Welsh rugby star after gaining an early advantage in the race with the snow-dogs. After lighting the final bonfire, Patrick screamed and was greeted with a hug and a bottle of champagne by host Kate Thornton.

Speaking afterwards, he said: "I didn't think I had it in me. My legs were gone. My arms couldn't do any more on the rope... The underdog has got it!

"I can't believe I got it. I was constantly looking over my shoulder for the big man. He was always breathing down my neck."

He added: "I've had an amazing time. This has been a brilliant experience and this win has been the icing on the cake."

Runner-up Henson commented: "It's frustrating. You want to win everything you do. I'll drown my sorrows tonight. But at the moment, this tops any rugby moment I've had. The whole thing has been unbelievable.

"If I could choose anyone to beat me in the final, it would have been Marcus."

Earlier in the show, Footballers' Wives actress Susie Amy was knocked out after she came up short in an under-ice swimming challenge that forced the celebrities bodies to the limit.