
Lenny Henry and Rachel Riley among stars diving with sharks in new show
Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters is set to air in 2025 as the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's three-time Oscar-winning film Jaws is celebrated this year.
Participants also include presenter Ade Adepitan, Call The Midwife actress Helen George, comedian Ross Noble, McFly bassist Dougie Poynter and Amandaland actress Lucy Punch.
ITV said that the 'group of ocean-phobic celebrities' will be heading to the Bahamas, where they will have to dive with bigger and more dangerous species of sharks.
Bimini, the island where the show will be filmed, is home to around seven to 10 different types of the fish including Caribbean reef sharks, great hammerhead sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks.
The celebrities will also take part in a series of challenges as they learn the importance of sharks to oceans' ecosystems.
Karen Plumb, head of factual entertainment at production company Plimsoll Productions, said: 'The team at Plimsoll is uniquely positioned to pioneer this format that blends conservation with wildly entertaining pop culture.
'We're constantly looking for innovative approaches to wildlife storytelling and are certain that our fish-out-of-water spin – delivering 50 years after Jaws – will transform the world's perception of these critical predators before it's too late.'
Sir Lenny, 66, who is known for sketch show The Lenny Henry Show, and sitcom Chef, has also been in fantasy series The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, and taken part in ITV celebrity singing programme The Masked Singer.
Riley, 39, has been on BBC competitions Strictly Come Dancing, Richard Osman's House Of Games and The Weakest Link.
She has previously voiced support for Bite-Back, a shark and marine conservation charity.
I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! winner Poynter, 37, has previously campaigned for action on plastics to protect oceans and wildlife.
He has released the book Plastic Sucks! You Can Make A Difference, and used his Instagram account to criticise the use of shark fins in medicine, and soup.
Call The Midwife star George, 40, said in a post on Instagram: 'One of the most insane experiences of my life, learning about these incredible creatures, with equally incredible humans.'
Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, said: 'We're super excited to be combining the work of Plimsoll – a blue chip natural history production company – with the expertise of ITV Entertainment.
'Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters promises to be a once in a lifetime challenge for some of the bravest celebrities out there.'
Bite-Back's founder Graham Buckingham has previously said that Jaws is not a 'documentary', and pushed for the public to 'learn to see them (sharks) as awesome, fascinating and incredible creatures worthy of protection'.
According to the Natural History Museum, shark attacks fell to the lowest level in more than three decades last year, with the International Shark Attack File saying that 47 people were hurt in 'unprovoked shark attacks' in 2024.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
44 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sting's heartwrenching tribute to drummer who collapsed live on stage
Sting shared a touching tribute to The Christians drummer Lionel Duke, who suffered a cardiac arrest while on stage in Liverpool over the weekend Sting shared a moving tribute to The Christians' Lionel Duke following his cardiac arrest on stage. The drummer who was supporting the legendary musician in Liverpool left fans concerned after he appeared to collapse before going into arrest at the iconic Pier Head on Sunday. Lead singer of the band, Garry, requested urgent assistance from the medical teams before a privacy screen was set up on stage. It was during this time that medics worked rapidly to perform CPR on Lionel, whose heart had stopped beating. Lionel was subsequently rushed to the hospital via ambulance after the emergency staff managed to resuscitate him. But while many wondered whether the show would continue, Sting, 73, later took to the stage and reassured fans who had packed the waterfront that Lionel was doing ok and was receiving treatment. One fan who was in attendance said: "We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'Fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts." A second penned: "We were at the Waterfront - Sting was updating us all in the crowd and wished Lionel well and encouraged us all to think for him and sang Fragile as the final song for the evening." While on stage, the Grammy Award-winning musician said: "The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him." As the sad incident unfolded, event organisers kept fans updated throughout with messages being displayed on huge screens. One read: "We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can." Shortly after, a spokesperson for the band, who is believed to be their manager, shared an update with fans – explaining that Lionel had suffered a cardiac arrest. She said: "We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse; he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much." The band also encouraged Sting to perform. Earlier today, the band issued a statement on social media on Lionel's condition, explaining they are still awaiting news. They said: "Thank you so much to all the many many messages regarding our drummer Lionel Duke who suffered a cardiac arrest while performing at tonight's amazing concert ahead of Sting. We are awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green and thank the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel." Fans of the group rushed to offer their support, with one praising the medical team for their swift response. They said: "Was at the gig in the front seen it all unfold what swift action by his band and first aid responders and the event staff for making it dignified by shielding Lionel with a make shift curtain whilst they performed the c.p.r I know he is in good hands at Broadgreen." A second went on to write: "It was terrifying to see poor Lionel slump forward. I was so proud of the respect the Liverpool crowd showed falling silent, no photos and many people turned around. We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts. Wishing him a speedy recovery. He is in good hands at Broadgreen." Another typed: "It was very worrying when Lionel slumped forwards onto his drums. Seeing the black screens go up. They were working on him on the stage for a while. I'm so pleased he is doing OK. It was frightening to see. Best wishes to Lionel." "It was so awful to witness! Sending love and positive energy for a speedy recovery for Lionel. And sending love to Garry and the rest of the band too who must have been incredibly shaken," added a fourth.


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Coronation Street star reveals devastating update on beauty business after building burned down
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CORONATION Street star has revealed a devastating update after her beauty business burned down. The former ITV soap actress had created a successful side-hustle to her acting by training as a nail technician and setting up a salon in Middleton, Greater Manchester. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote has revealed a devastating update on her beauty business Credit: Instagram / georgiamay112 6 It came after the unit in Middleton burned down last week Credit: Instagram / georgiamay112 6 She trained to be a nail technician after quitting the ITV soap Credit: Facebook/Gmf Nails Yet last week, Katy Armstrong actress Georgia May Foote - who left Corrie in 2015 and whose character was killed off-screen two years later - took to Instagram to report her salon unit had burned down. She launched a fundraiser for herself and the other businesses affected while they await a potential insurance payout - yet was hit with flack from cruel online trolls. Georgia, 34, has now given a hard-hitting update - telling fans the building will now be demolished, before capturing her abandoned salon chair in the rubble. In another video posted to her Instagram grid, she thanked fans for their kindness to date and said: "Guys! thank you so much! "Unfortunately the building is now about to be demolished, my heart is broken. "I was to first of all say how sorry I am to anyone who has lost even a single item in that fire. I can't imagine how those who have things that can't be replaced feel. I'm so sorry. "I posted my last reel as an appeal to help us all get back to work as soon as possible, without us working we can't buy stock, without stock we can't work. It's the hardest situation for so many of us to be in. With our whole place of work and tools gone and families to feed and bills to pay." She then told how there had been a glimmer of happiness in the dire situation and said: "I aimed to raise 10k not thinking for a second we would bet this support! But here we are passing 10k! "There are 12 of us affected by this who work in the beauty industry and every penny will be evenly distributed to help us get back where we were." Devastated Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote reveals her beauty business has burned down in huge fire "Thank you for everything that has been donated too! "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep donating. We have all lost thousands each and this will help us so much. Links in bio! "If you have another business that has been affected from this fire and you want me to help you with your fundraisers please get in touch." GEORGIA'S JOURNEY Prior to her role on the popular ITV soap, she played Alison Simmons in Grange Hill for three years. And following her exit from the ITV soap, she took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. Coronation Street Spoilers: News & Cast Updates The beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades. The show follows the lives of the residents as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles. Here's the latest on: Coronation Street spoilers Up-to-date news on our soap spoiler live blog New, leaving and returning cast members Where is Coronation Street filmed and can you visit the set? The history of Coronation Street's iconic pub Rovers Return Inn She was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, where they reached the final and finished as runners-up. Back in 2023, she revealed her normal salon day job eight years after bidding farewell to Weatherfield. She trained for two years for her career in beauty and set up her own brand, GMF Nails. In 2023, she told how she had moved to the Middleton premises and wrote on social media: "Georgia said: "It's been over two years since I qualified as a nail tech and it's been the best two years getting to know you all! "I spent the last two years working with some amazing girls who have now become life long friends, who taught me everything I needed to know, and gave me the confidence to do everything you guys throw at me! "Over three months ago I took the plunge to move into somewhere a bit more intimate, working alongside another incredible nail tech and I absolutely love our new little space guys!" She went onto admit that whilst acting was her main ambition in life, her new role in the nail industry allowed her some much needed "security." She added at the time: " "But nails gives me that little bit of head space and security most actors need! "I am very grateful you have all supported me every time I have had to run off to film something! It means a lot when you are proud! "I am now open to taking on new clients and looking forward to meeting many more of you!" 6 She trained for two years for the role Credit: Facebook/Gmf Nails 6 Georgia has revealed the building will now be knocked down Credit: MEN Media


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Maya Jama stuns in a black corset and floral Capri pants as she joins Islanders Gabby Allen and Kaz Crossley backstage ahead of Aftersun
Maya Jama looked nothing short of sensational in a figure-hugging black corset as she joined islanders Gabby Allen and Kaz Crossley backstage ahead of presenting Love Island: Aftersun. The Love Island host, 30, teamed the chic corset with a pair of white floral Capri pants. Maya appeared in great spirits as she caught up with All Stars Islanders Gabby, 33, and Kaz, 30, ahead of their appearance on the ITVX show. Gabby, who won the recent series of Love Island: All Stars, looked incredible in a blue denim maxi dress as she posed for the camera. Meanwhile, Kaz put on a racy display in a patterned plunging top and a matching mini skirt. This year, the TV show host is drawing on a wardrobe of vintage pieces pulled from clothes designer archives. So far, Maya has worn a vintage Versace swimsuit and a 1998 Dolce & Gabbana dress. It comes after Maya's rumoured romance with Ruben Dias was finally confirmed, following the pair's public display of affection at KSI's Baller League event in April. The presenter and the footballer, 28, are thought to have been secretly dating for several months after Maya first caught his eye when they met at the European Music Awards (EMAs) in November. She has since been seen at multiple football games over the last few months, watching Dias live in action for Man City. In April the pair were pictured for the first time together kissing and cuddling at the football event, held at the Copper Box Arena, in a video captured by The Sun. The footage showed them with their arms around each other before he leant into her neck for a peck, with Ruben flying under the radar in casual clothes and a cap. A source told the publication of that night: 'Maya and Ruben seemed very close, very loved up and were clearly very comfortable with each other. 'They were chatting to others around them but gravitated back to each other. They seem very happy with each other.' It is the first time they have been seen in public since they were thought to have started dating - though Maya has often hinted at the romance by sharing snaps of flowers she has been sent. MailOnline has contacted Maya's representatives for comment. Their appearance at the Baller League came just one day after she supported Ruben at Wembley as his team Manchester City triumphed 2-0 against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The Love Island host took her whole family to Wembley to support him. She shared a video on the way to the stadium as she penned 'family day out to Wembley' in the caption - while her mother Sadie and brother Omar sat in the car with her. Maya then shared a snap of the pitch as she watched on - while her family enjoyed the atmosphere.