Doctors rush to help Channel 4 star, 58, in ‘horrendous’ health scare while filming
'It was horrendous.'
Emergency doctors were called into action on the set of a Channel 4 reality show when a contestant suddenly fell ill during filming.
Tempting Fortune, presented by Paddy McGuinness, started in 2023 and tested 12 strangers as they hiked across South Africa in tough conditions for 18 days.
However, this year’s competition was moved to Malaysia – specifically the island of Langkawi – where average temperatures are in the high 20s year round.
And it appeared the conditions became far too much for one contestant who needed medical attention during one of the show’s challenges.
According to reports, 58-year-old contestant Ted appeared to be struggling in the humid, sweltering conditions of the scenic Southeast Asian country.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: ‘The location used for filming can often hit up to 40 degrees celsius making conditions extreme and contestants didn’t have long to adjust to the climate.
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Previous Page Next Page‘As they trekked through the forest Ted took ill and had to sit down, appearing disorientated at times,’ they added.
‘Tempting Fortune has a strict duty of care policy and a medical team intervened immediately and carried out a full evaluation on him.’
Thankfully, Ted turned out to be alright: ‘After checking his vitals and cooling him down, bosses cleared him to continue in the competition.’
Ted himself then spoke to the publication, explaining that the incident did take place but that he was soon well enough to continue on.
Ted, 58, was thankfully able to carry on in the competition (Picture: Channel 4)‘My temperature went completely sky high. I dehydrated. It was horrendous. It was really, really, tough – [but] you just needed more fluids. It was hard work.
He described the humidity as a ‘killer’ and revealed that medics had to check on him when he developed a frequent need to urinate, indicating that his body wasn’t absorbing fluids properly.
‘So all the fluids were just going through me and not keeping any goodness inside my body.’
Viewers will be able to see Ted overcome his struggles on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday, with Tempting Fortune back for a third season this weekend.
The £300,000 prize money gets whittled down as the show goes on (Picture: Channel 4)The series offers prize money of £300,000 at the start, but that total is whittled down if contestants decide to spend it on luxuries along the way across their 18-day journey.
Channel 4 asks: ‘Paddy McGuinness presents the epic competition with a twist. Twelve strangers trek across hostile jungles and wildernesses, but who’ll spend some of the shared £300k prize pot on individual luxuries?’
BinkyBunny120 said of the series: ‘I’m torn between the two schools of thought – enjoying the experience and taking home less money (still a decent amount), or playing hardcore and maximising the winnings.’
WhatIsLife01 agreed: ‘I’m actually shocked that some people can’t delay their gratification even a little bit. For the prize money, you could have a several month long amazing holiday in South Africa. It’s literally in their grasp to have a better holiday afterwards.’
LilyBelleSmell said: ‘I think they’re out of touch from the real world. Once they get back home to their boring lives most of them will sincerely regret forfeiting what would have been at least a months wage in potential prize money.’
Watch Tempting Fortune on Channel 4, Sunday at 9pm.
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