‘We thought we were going to die’
Catching up with three contestants who loved every minute (ahem) of ITV’s gruelling rowing challenge – filmed for our viewing pleasure…
What made you want to do this show? ADAM THOMAS, 32: It was definitely one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever had to face, that’s for sure – but I’d been in lockdown with my wife and kids for so long that it was a case of literally any excuse to get out of the house!
FLEUR EAST, 33: The minute I got the phone call I was like, “Great! There is actually stuff happening!” 2020 has been like the worst year ever to exist! DENISE LEWIS, 48: I wanted to push myself – and I’m no water baby.
Did you ever want to run away? ADAM: On day one, they showed us the boat and where we’d be sleeping – and where we’d be pooing and weeing, which was literally a bucket. We all just looked at each other as if to say, “What have we got ourselves into?” I genuinely wanted to walk, but I could just sense it was going to be something special.
FLEUR: This show made doing I’m A Celeb! (Fleur was fourth in the 2018 series) feel like a holiday. There were moments when we thought we were going to die. It was really testing, but honestly the most rewarding thing ever at the same time. DENISE: There was something about the camaraderie that didn’t let you quit.
Was anyone surprising?
DENISE: I have to say, I thought [former Corrie star] Lucy Fallon was going to be a bit flaky. But I saw that girl go to places that you just don’t want to go to, and survive, and not quit…
FLEUR: I thought Adam was going to be amazing, but he moaned all the time…
ADAM: I couldn’t help it; I didn’t expect it to be that hard!
If you’d known what to expect would you still have done it? DENISE: Hell, no. If they’d told me that I’d be sleeping on a boat, overnight, with all the sights that I saw, and had run through all the challenges I’d have said, “Nah – maybe not. I’ll stay with my four kids at home!”
FLEUR: At the end of it we were saying, if we’d watched this on TV and we were asked to do it, we’d have been like, “No way”. But after completing the challenge we felt that we were hardcore – we were invincible. ADAM: If there’s a second series, then good luck to the contestants!
Did you all end up super fit? FLEUR: I think we all went into this thinking we were going to come out ripped, losing the lockdown weight. In reality, we definitely toned up – but we all put weight on. We were eating these hearty meals like pie and mash – carbs on carbs – otherwise we’d just faint on the boat. I came home and I was like, “Are you serious? I’m double my lockdown weight!”
Was seasickness an issue? ADAM: It’s safe to say it was coming out of both ends, which
I think is going to make great telly. That’s all I’m tuning in for,
I’ll be honest with you.
FLEUR: There were times it was horrendous for the person being sick, and then awful that the other people had to hear it in the background or handle the situation. I’d take a Bushtucker Trial over that any day…
Erm, was there a “best bit”? FLEUR: There were incredible moments, like seeing the stars at night. We saw all the planets, and a meteor shower. Those moments made it worthwhile; it was magical.