ITV to leave stars hanging high and (maybe) dry with reality sports show

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/18/itv-reality-sports-show-eternal-glory

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Richard Bacon will front a new sporting challenge show for ITV in which the contestants will be dangled over the open waters of the Adriatic and challenged to cross a high-wire rope over a ravine.

The six-part entertainment show, Eternal Glory, will feature eight sporting stars competing in a series of “tough physical and mental challenges”, with one contestant being kicked off following a “night duel” face-off each week.

ITV is no stranger to sporting reality shows. It enjoyed success with Tom Daley diving show Splash and its long-running Dancing on Ice, which both came to an end last year. Celebrity Wrestling is less fondly remembered.

The series, which will be filmed in Croatia this month, is based on a European format that has already aired in Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Holland.

ITV said it would test the stars “to the max” in physical and mental challenges including strength, stamina, hand-eye coordination and visualisation.

Kate Maddigan, ITV’s commissioning editor, entertainment, said: “We have seen sports stars succeed in dancing, the jungle, cooking and the ice but I can’t wait to see them take on each other in these specially created challenges.

“This show is designed to reveal what makes sporting legends tick and I for one am excited to see under their skin and hear personal stories from their careers and beyond.

“With eight of this country’s top sporting heroes going head to head, we are in for a competition like no other and with Richard at the helm, we hope to have plenty of laughs along the way.”

The series, made by independent producer Twofour, which also made Splash, will feature “eight stars of all ages and disciplines, full of personal stories”.