Showbiz

Tempting Fortune thrown into chaos by medical emergency as Channel 4 forced to deploy doctors for contestant in ‘horrendous’ condition

Tempting Fortune thrown into chaos by medical emergency as Channel 4 forced to deploy doctors for contestant in ‘horrendous’ condition

Channel 4’s Tempting Fortune was thrown into chaos after a contestant suffered a medical emergency in extreme tropical heat.

The survival-based compeтιтion, hosted by Top Gear star Paddy McGuinness, will return on Sunday with a fresh twist, swapping last year’s South African setting for the scorching jungles of Langkawi, Malaysia. 

But filming quickly took a dramatic turn when contestant Ted began to show signs of heat exhaustion during one of the first challenges.

The gruelling conditions pushed contestants to their limits, with temperatures soaring to 40°C and high humidity making even basic tasks physically draining. 

A source told The Sun: ‘During one of the first tasks the group noticed how Ted appeared to be struggling.

‘The location used for filming can often hit up to 40 degrees celsius making conditions extreme and contestants didn’t have long to adjust to the climate.

Channel 4 's Tempting Fortune hosted by Paddy McGuinness (pictured) was thrown into chaos after a contestant suffered a medical emergency in extreme tropical heat

Channel 4 ‘s Tempting Fortune hosted by Paddy McGuinness (pictured) was thrown into chaos after a contestant suffered a medical emergency in extreme tropical heat

Filming took a dramatic turn when contestant Ted began to show signs of heat exhaustion during one of the first challenges

Filming took a dramatic turn when contestant Ted began to show signs of heat exhaustion during one of the first challenges

‘As they trekked through the forest Ted took ill and had to sit down, appearing disorientated at times.’

Looking back on the ordeal, retired prison officer Ted admitted the conditions were brutal, describing the extreme heat as unlike anything he had ever experienced. 

Ted recalled how, by the second night, the intense heat had taken its toll, leaving him dehydrated and drained and with his body unable to absorb fluids properly, it made it even harder to recover. 

He added: ‘It was really, really, tough…hard work.’

Despite the scare, medics determined Ted was well enough to continue after he received treatment, and he decided to push forward in the compeтιтion. 

Tempting Fortune, is the big-budget game show which sees 12 strangers give up all luxuries to endure a gruelling 18-day trek challenge across the toughest of terrain, to reach a £300k shared prize.

To take home the prize money, all they need to do is resist their desires for comfort, rejecting luxury add ons to live off only basic rations and equipment.

If they choose they can pay for the likes of H๏τ meals, warm showers and luxury bedding, but this comes at a hefty cost. If just one person decides to feed their desire, they are stealing from the overall prize pot.

The show which is set in Langkawi, Malaysia pushed contestants to their limits, with temperatures soaring to 40°C and high humidity making even basic tasks physically draining

The show which is set in Langkawi, Malaysia pushed contestants to their limits, with temperatures soaring to 40°C and high humidity making even basic tasks physically draining

Channel 4 announced that Paddy, 51, will host Tempting Fortune in 2023, a fortnight after two of his BBC programmes – Catchpoint and I Can See Your Voice – were axed by the Corporation.

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Paddy initially sH๏τ to stardom alongside fellow Bolton comedian, Peter Kay, in Phoenix Nights after working as a lifeguard and fitness instructor at a leisure centre for more than seven years.

Alongside stand-up tours, Paddy made regular TV appearances, including a stand-in role on This Morning and two series of Rory and Paddy’s Great British Adventure with comedian Rory McGrath.

He then landed the presenter role for ITV’s Saturday night primetime show Take Me Out, a dating show which saw a couple  go on a date to the fictional location of the Isle of Fernando’s in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.

But the show was cancelled by bosses in February 2020, with ITV saying the programme had ‘run its course’ after airing for nine years.

It comes after a Babestation model has come forward claiming she was at the other end of the line when Paddy McGuiness once called up. 

It comes after Paddy McGuinness' phone call to X-rated TV channel Babestation has been revealed by one of its models Beth Bennett

It comes after Paddy McGuinness’ phone call to X-rated TV channel Babestation has been revealed by one of its models Beth Bennett

Paddy recalled back in 2021 how he and Robbie Williams (pictured) bizarrely rang up Babestation and had an innocent chat with one of its glamour girls

Paddy recalled back in 2021 how he and Robbie Williams (pictured) bizarrely rang up Babestation and had an innocent chat with one of its glamour girls

Now, model Beth has claimed to be the woman at the other end of the line and admitted she had no idea who Paddy (pictured with his ex-wife Christine in 2021)

Now, model Beth has claimed to be the woman at the other end of the line and admitted she had no idea who Paddy (pictured with his ex-wife Christine in 2021) 

The TV presenter, previously revealed in 2021 that he called the adult cam provider with Robbie Williams while they shared a few drinks together around 20 years ago.

Now, model Beth Bennett, 38, has claimed to be the woman who had the chat with the two men – before they were married – and said she had absolutely no idea who Paddy was at the time.

New Zealander Beth, who has worked on Babestation for 13 years, said they joked around about football and their favourite biscuits, before having the age-old debate about whether a Jaffa Cake is a cake or a biscuit.

She confessed she later had to Google Paddy because she had no idea who he was, though she had an ‘inkling’ she was talking to popular singer Robbie, 51, at the time.

Paddy and Robbie have been close friends ever since they were introduced by their mutual friend Jonathan Wilke. 

MailOnline has contacted Paddy’s representatives for comment. 

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