Going on a BEAR HUNT

SHIRLEY BALLAS on swapping sequins for survival skills

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CELEBRITY BEAR HUNT NEW FROM WED 5 FEB, NETFLIX REALITY

Shirley Ballas sits back in a comfy-looking office chair and cuddles her beautiful Lhasa apso rescue dog, Charlie, as she reflects on her adventures in the Costa Rican jungle for new competition Celebrity Bear Hunt.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge is one of 12 famous faces who have signed up to become prey for survival expert Bear Grylls in an epic cat-and-mouse game and it's clear that, after her initial reservations, she had an absolute ball...

'When Netflix first asked me, I wasn't sure,' shares Shirley, 64, during an exclusive video interview with TV Times. 'My mum was shocked when she heard and said she wouldn't speak to me if I did it! But then I thought of how people put themselves out of their comfort zones when they come on Strictly. I don't want to be someone who doesn't want to try things; I want to keep challenging myself.'

PUSHED TO THE LIMIT

For someone who feels most at home amid the glamour of BBC1's hit sequinned spectacular Strictly, this show was certainly a new experience for Shirley.

Hosted by Holly Willoughby, each episode in the eight-part series will see the hopefuls split into two teams to take on a range of challenges designed to test their mettle. The losing celebs must then enter the Bear Pit, nature's deadliest escape room, where adventurer Bear will use his survival techniques to track them down - and those captured face elimination from the contest.