I AM SQUIDS IN
Irish star of Netflix hit reveals he has been inundated with offers
It messes with your mind, it’s like being in a giant casino
EXCLUSIVE BY SQUID Game: The Challenge’s Mikie Bowe has been inundated with telly offers since entering the show.
The series, based on the gruesome Korean TV hit Squid Game, saw 456 real players vying for €4.23million.
The 10-episode reality series began streaming last week on Netflix and was the most watched show.
Dad-of-five Mikie, who lives in Belfast with wife Janine, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I’ve had reality show offers and I’m about to dip my toe into presenting and acting.
“I’m happy I’ll get my own TV career after this.”
Challenges included gruelling versions of kids games Red Light Green Light, Warships, Marbles and The Bridge.
Mikie, 35, got knocked out on the glass bridge challenge and made it to the last 14 on the show.
He said: “Everyone was nervous to be up on that bridge because there were no safety wires.”
But getting knocked out so near the end was “brutal”.
He added: “I really wanted to get the glass bridge.
“A lot of people were saying it was green screens. But it was a real bridge. The lights were in our faces. It was dark below us, so it was almost like a void.”
Mikie revealed that life on set was like a prison.
He said: “The food was awful, tasteless and gross, porridge, plain pasta and white rice.
“We didn’t know what time of day it was, they could have put us to sleep at two in the day.
“It messes with your mind, it’s like being in a giant casino.”
Mikie who has ADHD said his condition helped him tactically on the series.
He said: “I was observant. I was able to focus on everybody at the same time which was like a superpower. “I’d zone out and go into my own shell. “ADHD is not a disability, it’s just a different ability.”
His seven-year-old daughter Scarlett needs care around the clock as she has global developmental delay and autism.
He added: “I’m Scarlet’s primary caregiver and had to give up work five years ago in sales for Sky.
“All our kids have additional needs but Scarlett is much more severe.
“Scarlet has ADHD, autism and global developmental delay and sensory processing disorder.
“She will be with us forever but once we’re no longer here she needs care.”
Squid Game: The Challenge is streaming on Netflix now.