Standing Strong

Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett flex their muscles as their quirky challenge show returns

- SEAN MARLAND

NEW ENTERTAINMENT

Rob & Romesh Vs Thu, 9pm, Sky Max & Sky Showcase

Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett have never been afraid to embarrass themselves as they tackle a host of quirky challenges in their Sky Max show Rob & Romesh Vs – whether it’s dressing up in drag, modelling on a catwalk or attempting to become ballet dancers.

Now, the boys are back for fresh humiliation in a new four-part series, beginning this week when they squeeze into spandex and show off their muscles while training for a strongman contest.

The comedians head to Iceland to train with four-time World’s Strongest Man Magnús Ver Magnússon, before going head-to-head at the Arnold Sports Festival, a strongman and bodybuilding festival named in honour of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Other challenges in the new series sees the best friends performing on the West End stage and trying to launch a restaurant in a special two-parter.

We caught up with Ranganathan, 44, and Beckett, 36, to find out more…

How did you find taking on the strongman training?

Beckett We both love the world of strongmen and it was something we both wanted to do for a long time, so we were really excited. Romesh thought the whole thing was hellish, but that’s because he ignored every single bit of advice that Magnús gave us.

Were you confident at the start of the coaching?