FACTS & FIGURES: World’s Strongest Man

Each weeknight until Thursday, competitors will be flexing their muscles in World’s Strongest Man 2018 (7pm, Ch5); here, we look at the history of this Christmas favourite…

The concept for the event was developed in 1977 for US TV network CBS, and competitors were mainly American athletes, powerlifters and bodybuilders (plus one stuntman).

Bruce Wilhelm was the inaugural champion, and he successfully defended his title the following year.

Polish-born Mariusz Pudzianowski has won the title the most times, lifting the crown five times between 2002 and 2008 – no wonder they called him ‘The Dominator’.

Britain’s most famous strongman was the former shot put champion

Geoff Capes, who claimed the title in New Zealand in 1983 and in Portugal in 1985.

Hafþor Julius Bjornsson (centre) took part in this year’s competition, which was held in May in the Philippines. The Icelandic strongman is perhaps best-known for playing Ser Gregor Clegane

– aka ‘The Mountain’ – in Game Of Thrones. The 6ft 9in actor finished second last year, and was looking to go one better this time. In the run-up to the competition, Britain’s reigning champion, Eddie Hall, revealed that he packs in 12,500 calories a day – five times the recommended amount for an ordinary man.