IN HIS OWN WORDS: Bear Grylls

As the adventurer continues to oversee a new series of The Island (9pm, Ch4), we look at what he has had to say about his thrilling life and career so far…

On the Army: ‘I joined the Army as a private, rather than an officer. All my friends went in as officers, but I wanted to go in at the other end. It looked more fun as well. I’ve never been very good at drinks parties or that side of things. I wanted to be muddy up a mountain.’

On the Scouts: ‘If someone had told me when I was a Scout that one day, I would be Chief Scout (right), I’d have said you’ve got to be joking. I was a terrible Scout who didn’t get many badges.’

On his unique set of skills: ‘Adventure’s the only thing I’ve ever been any good at, and I’m not saying that in a falsely modest way. I was never particularly great at school, but I always loved adventure.’ On his fears: ‘I’m totally human and I’m riddled with them. Survival is not about being fearless. It’s about making a decision, getting on and doing it, because I want to see my kids again.’

On his reluctance to go on TV: ‘It just wasn’t my kind of thing. I’m really shy and nervous off camera. I love snakes and swimming rapids and jumping off cliffs, but TV was not a natural place for me. My wife said, “We’ve just got married, we’re pretty broke, why don’t you give it a go?”’ On his attitude to raising children:

‘All children have a right to adventure… These moments allow children to get excited about the possibilities the world has to offer. They teach independence, initiative and self-reliance.’