Locked up and alone: Anthea Turner at breaking point
Locked up and alone to see what it can do to your mind, TV presenter Anthea Turner was...
Anthea Turner was pushed to breaking point when she was locked up for five days, without any interaction with the outside world, for new TV show Celebs In Solitary.
The 58-year-old admits that she was pushed to breaking point and ‘did have a wobble’ during filming.
The line-up also includes singer Professor Green, writer Shazia Mirza and World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
She explained, ‘I originally didn’t want to do it. I’ve been through a few ups and downs myself, I went through divorce and empty nest within a small period of time, and I have always lived with family – mum and dad, boyfriend, husband, all of that.
‘My biggest challenge was actually to be on my own and enjoy being on my own – that was the ultimate test.
‘I wouldn’t say I was mentally disturbed by any of it, but they did play around with your head.
‘I did have a wobble. There was a moment when I went in and the door shut, and I did go, “Oh, my God.” It’s small. I don’t like small spaces. I had that claustrophobic feeling.’
Each of the celebrities, who were completely alone, were allowed to take in three luxury items. Anthea returned to her Blue Peter days by requesting wool and a crochet needle, a jigsaw puzzle, and paper and paint.
‘I made sure I had a purpose every day,’ she explained. ‘I made sure I structured my day by getting up and going to sleep, around meals, and thinking, “Right, I’m going to spend an hour on that jigsaw, then I’ll do some crochet, then I’ll redecorate my entire cell.” I gave myself things to do.
‘I like making things. It was all my old Blue Peter heritage coming out. Put me anywhere, I’ll always make it nice.’ l Celebs In Solitary is on Channel 5, Tuesday 11 Sept at 9.15pm
‘My biggest challenge was to be on my own and enjoy being on my own – that was the ultimate test’