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Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
16 must watch TV series of the summer – from Keeley Hawes spy thriller to Danny Dyer comedy and return of Netflix hits
Keep an eye out for a new Netflix drama featuring Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan CAN'T MISS TV 16 must watch TV series of the summer – from Keeley Hawes spy thriller to Danny Dyer comedy and return of Netflix hits Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE summer telly schedules are bringing the heat — with can't-miss premieres and buzzy returns. Whether you want to escape with reality TV, like ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, or get bingeing with red-hot dramas such as Netflix's Squid Game, there are plenty of shows to keep you glued to the couch. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 14 Olivia Rodrigo will be among the famous faces at Glastonbury, which will be screened on the BBC Credit: Getty There's also the live drama of the Women's Euros and excitement of Glasto. And with the return of fan favourites such as The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Wednesday, you can settle in with some old friends. Jess Lester rounds up the best of the upcoming TV . . . Attack On London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers -Netflix, July 14 Former Prime Minister Tony Blair features in a documentary on the 7/7 bombings NETFLIX is no stranger to a true-crime documentary, and this time it has turned its attentions to London's worst terrorist attack. READ MORE ON TV FEELING EMPOWERED Corrie legend Sue Cleaver gives health update after quitting ITV soap Investigating the 2005 bombings, the four-part series follows the intense effort to track down those responsible for the attack on the city's public transport system, which killed 52 people and injured more than 700. Through interviews, archive footage and expert analysis, including with then PM Tony Blair, it celebrates the resilience of those who worked around the clock to put the guilty individuals behind bars. There is a deeper dive into the broader issues of terrorism, too. Destination X - BBC, July 14 Rob Brydon is set to host a new competition show, Destination X Credit: THERE'S a brand new travel adventure competition coming to the BBC, hosted by Rob Brydon. The show takes contestants on a journey on a blacked-out bus, sending them on a mystery road trip across Europe not telling them where they are, or where they are heading. Through a mix of clever challenges and red herrings, they must guess each destination or face elimination from the show, which is based on a popular Belgian format that launched last year. Think Race Across The World mixed with The Traitors, as there's set to be plenty of tension with psychological twists and turns, while Rob acts as the puppet master overseeing it all. And with prize money likely up for grabs, it's all to play for. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Prime Video, July 16 14 Amazon Prime Video show The Summer I Turned Pretty is back for a third series Credit: Erika Doss/Prime IT'S set to be an emotional finale as The Summer I Turned Pretty returns for its third series, finishing up Jenny Han's much-loved trilogy of books. This time, there's a two-year time jump as Belly (Lola Tung) is further into her college education. Season two saw her end things with Conrad, and instead choose other love interest Jeremiah. But as they plan their future together, possibly even a wedding, Conrad returns and reignites long-simmering feelings between him and Belly. With the love triangle at the centre of the story, there's a mammoth 11 episodes for Belly to figure out what she really wants. But will she? Squid Game - Netflix, June 27 14 Surprise Netflix hit Squid Game is back for another new series at the end of June Credit: Netflix SQUID Game took the world by storm in 2021, and now its highly anticipated third and final series hopes to captivate audiences once again. We see lead character Seong Gi-hun, below, regroup with Cho Sang-woo and Kang Sae-byeok after the failed armed uprising from the previous season. The survivors are determined to bring down the cruel billionaires who orchestrate the deadly games. However, to succeed, they must first continue playing the brutal competitions, all while secretly plotting their escape. But the question remains: Will they survive the games this time and finally end the nightmare? The Couple Next Door - Channel 4, July FOLLOWING the success of the first series on Channel 4 – it was the broadcaster's biggest scripted series streaming launch ever – the drama is back with a fresh storyline and new cast. In this next chapter, the plot centres around Charlotte Roberts (Annabel Scholey), a brilliant heart surgeon, and her husband Jacob (Sam Palladio), a consultant anaesthetist. Things will be turned upside down when mysterious new hospital colleague Mia (Aggy K Adams, above) rents the house next door and becomes entangled in their personal and professional lives. While Charlotte navigates the reappearance of her past flame, the hunky Leo (Sendhil Ramamurthy), only time will tell whether Mia will spell disaster for the formerly happily married pair. The Assassin - Prime Video, July 14 Keeley Hawes is set to star in new Prime Video drama The Assassin Credit: THE ASSASSIN 2025 © Prime Video/Two Brothers Pictures/ Photographer: Robert Viglasky KEELEY HAWES and Freddie Highmore, above, star in this tense six-parter which sees the duo battling it out in a globe-spanning showdown. Keeley plays Julie, a retired assassin who is enjoying a quiet life on a remote Greek island – until her estranged son Edward arrives, that is. He has come to ask questions about his father, but it sets a whole chain of events in motion. Julie and Edward, played by The Good Doctor's Freddie, go on to uncover a dark conspiracy and are forced to head off on the run. Julie's complicated past then resurfaces and her fractured relationship with her son is put to the ultimate test. The Bear - Disney+, June 26 14 The Bear is back for a new series after the last ended on a cliffhanger Credit: 2025, FX. All rights reserved. IN what is likely to be the final series of Disney+'s much-loved drama, Jeremy Allen White is in a race against time to secure the restaurant's future. At the end of the last series, the restaurant was ripped apart by a review in The Chicago Tribune. Joined once again by Ayo Edebiri's Sydney, Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Richie and the rest of The Bear crew, Chef Carmy (White, above) will once again be chasing Michelin glory. It's all under wraps, but the cast will likely be packed with even more guest appearances, after series three featured John Cena, Thomas Keller and Will Poulter. Glastonbury - BBC, from June 27 THE BBC is showing more than 90 hours of the festival, with live streams from five main stages, and on-demand content for 30 days. The likes of Clara Amgo, Jo Whiley, Lauren Laverne and Huw Stephens will be there to guide viewers through the action on the iPlayer Glastonbury Channel. Neil Young The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Raye, Loyle Carner and Jorja Smith will all hit the screens, alongside some surprise 'secret' acts. The channel will also have special recap montages from previous festivals, including Beyonce and Coldplay. The Hostage - Netflix, August 21 14 Suranne Jones returns to our screens playing a Prime Minister in a new Netflix drama Credit: Des Willie/Netflix SHE'S played some big characters and now Suranne Jones, takes on the role of Prime Minister Abigail Dalton in this hot Netflix thriller. But her life is turned upside down when her husband is kidnapped and she is forced to work together with the French President, a long-time rival. The two powerful women, who are also being blackmailed, have to navigate betrayal, danger and looming threats to their careers and personal lives in this twisting five-parter. Also featuring are Queen Charlotte hunk Corey Mylchreest, Miss Scarlet's Sophie Robertson, Before Sunrise actress Julie Delpy and actor and musician Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas. Dora And The Search For Sol Dorado - Paramount+, July 4 STARTING off as an animation series in 2000, Dora The Explorer had her first live action film in 2019's Lost City Of Gold. Now she is back for more adventuring. This time, teenage Dora, played by Samantha Lorraine, is embarking on a new journey deep in the jungle on a quest to find the mythical treasure of Sol Dorado. Along the way she will have to battle villains, with the help of her loyal cousin Diego, archaeologist Camila the Crusader and her trusty sidekick Boots the monkey. After making its premiere on kids' channel Nickelodeon UK on July 2, it will be available to stream – for kids and adults – on Paramout+. The Institute - MGM+, July 13 14 Martin Freeman's son Joe features in Stephen King-based horror The Institute Credit: Chris Reardon/MGM+ BASED on a 2019 novel by horror writer Stephen King, this eight-episode thriller follows 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious facility where children with unusual abilities are being held against their will. As Luke (played by Martin Freeman's son Joe) plots his escape, a former police officer, who has moved to the town for a quiet life, uncovers disturbing facts about the place, known as The Institute. Expect Stranger Things-style superpowers and the same kind of simmering discomfort as Stephen's previous TV adaptations, Castle Rock and The Outsider. Mr Bigstuff - Sky, July 14 Danny Dyer is back for a new series of Bafta winning comedy Mr Bigstuff Credit: ©Sky UK AFTER winning a Bafta for its first series, Sky's hit comedy returns for a second run, reuniting Ryan Sampson and Danny Dyer as brothers Glen and Lee. This time, the Essex duo navigate the Earth-shattering revelation that their dad might still be alive, sending the pair into a meltdown over how to locate him. Meanwhile, secrets threaten to tear the family apart. Expect a host of new characters, including Rula Lenska as the eccentric Rita, and Shaun Williamson playing a surprisingly angry children's entertainer. Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters - ITV, July 14 A brand new reality show will test the fears of celebrities when they dive with sharks WHAT better way to mark the 50th anniversary of the film Jaws than to challenge a group of ocean-phobic celebrities to dive alongside sharks? Filmed off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas, this new reality format sees the group coming face to face with increasingly larger and more dangerous sharks. The high-stakes, five-part show will feature Sir Lenny Henry, Rachel Riley, Ross Noble, Ade Adepitan, Helen George, Dougie Poynter and Lucy Punch. From panic attacks to near-miss encounters with the apex predators, the celebrities will be pushed to their personal limits in what is sure to make fun viewing. Wednesday - Netflix, August 6 14 Addams Family inspired drama Wednesday is back for an eagerly awaited new series Credit: JONATHAN HESSION/NETFLIX HIT series Wednesday became Netflix's most-watched English-language series of all time, in large part thanks to Jenna Ortega's deadpan performance of the iconic Addams Family character. And after solidifying itself in pop culture with the help of a viral dance, there's little surprise the series is back, this time with a darker mystery. Wednesday returns to boarding school Nevermore only to discover there is a serial killer on the loose. Series two brings back fan favourites Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley, while fresh faces on the cast list include Steve Buscemi and Joanna Lumley. Uefa Women's Euros - ITV & BBC, from July 2 14 There is live sport to get excited about when the Women's European Championships kick off Credit: Getty THE BBC and ITV are sharing coverage of the Women's Euros in Switzerland as the Lionesses, captained by Leah Williamson try to retain their crown. BBC Sport will air half of the group-stage matches, including both England and Wales' games against the Netherlands, as well as three of the tense quarter-finals. Commentary and analysis will come from Gabby Logan, Jeanette Kwakye, Alex Scott, Ellen White, Jill Scott and Steph Houghton. The England v Wales clash on July 13 will be a big live draw for ITV. Both channels will simultaneously broadcast the final on July 27. Thursday Murder Club - Netflix, August 28 14 Screen legends Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan are set to feature in Thursday Murder Club Credit: Giles Keyte/Netflix RICHARD Osman's best-selling first book is hitting the box with a star-studded cast. The series follows sharp-witted retirees – ex-spy Elizabeth, former union activist Ron, retired psychiatrist Ibrahim and nurse Joyce – in a fancy village for old folks who meet to solve cold cases. But then they find themselves caught up in a current murder that happens on their doorstep – and like the nosy old folk they are, they get to work trying to solve it. With a cast list that includes Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, above, plus Sir Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Sir Jonathan Pryce and Tom Ellis, this one is not to be missed.
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
16 must watch TV series of the summer – from Keeley Hawes spy thriller to Danny Dyer comedy and return of Netflix hits
THE summer telly schedules are bringing the heat — with can't-miss premieres and buzzy returns. Whether you want to escape with reality TV, like ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, or get bingeing with red-hot dramas such as Netflix's Squid Game, there are plenty of shows to keep you glued to the couch. 14 Olivia Rodrigo will be among the famous faces at Glastonbury, which will be screened on the BBC Credit: Getty There's also the live drama of the And with the return of fan favourites such as The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Wednesday, you can settle in with some old friends. Jess Lester rounds up the best of the upcoming TV . . . Attack On London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers -Netflix, July 14 Former Prime Minister Tony Blair features in a documentary on the 7/7 bombings NETFLIX is no stranger to a true-crime documentary, and this time it has turned its attentions to London's worst terrorist attack. READ MORE ON TV Through interviews , archive footage and expert analysis, including with then PM Tony Blair, it celebrates the resilience of those who worked around the clock to put the guilty individuals behind bars. There is a deeper dive into the broader issues of terrorism, too. Destination X - BBC, July 14 Rob Brydon is set to host a new competition show, Destination X Credit: THERE'S a Most read in News TV The show takes contestants on a journey on a blacked-out bus, sending them on a mystery road trip across Europe not telling them where they are, or where they are heading. Through a mix of clever challenges and red herrings, they must guess each destination or face elimination from the show, which is based on a popular Belgian format that launched last year. Think And with prize money likely up for grabs, it's all to play for. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Prime Video, July 16 14 Amazon Prime Video show The Summer I Turned Pretty is back for a third series Credit: Erika Doss/Prime IT'S set to be an emotional finale as The Summer I Turned Pretty returns for its third series, finishing up Jenny Han's much-loved trilogy of books. This time, there's a two-year time jump as Belly (Lola Tung) is further into her college education. Season two saw her end things with Conrad, and instead choose other love interest Jeremiah. But as they plan their future together, possibly even a wedding, Conrad returns and reignites long-simmering feelings between him and Belly. With the love triangle at the centre of the story, there's a mammoth 11 episodes for Belly to figure out what she really wants. But will she? Squid Game - Netflix, June 27 14 Surprise Netflix hit Squid Game is back for another new series at the end of June Credit: Netflix SQUID Game took the world by storm in 2021, and now its highly anticipated third and final series hopes to captivate audiences once again. We see lead character Seong Gi-hun, below, regroup with Cho Sang-woo and Kang Sae-byeok after the failed armed uprising from the previous season. The survivors are determined to bring down the cruel billionaires who orchestrate the deadly games. However, to succeed, they must first continue playing the brutal competitions , all while secretly plotting their escape. But the question remains: Will they survive the games this time and finally end the nightmare? The Couple Next Door - Channel 4, July FOLLOWING the success of the first series on Channel 4 – it was the broadcaster's biggest scripted series streaming launch ever – the drama is back with a fresh storyline and new cast. In this next chapter, the plot centres around Charlotte Roberts (Annabel Scholey), a brilliant heart surgeon, and her husband Jacob (Sam Palladio), a consultant anaesthetist. Things will be turned upside down when mysterious new hospital colleague Mia (Aggy K Adams, above) rents the house next door and becomes entangled in their personal and professional lives. While Charlotte navigates the reappearance of her past flame, the hunky Leo (Sendhil Ramamurthy), only time will tell whether Mia will spell disaster for the formerly happily married pair. The Assassin - Prime Video, July 14 Keeley Hawes is set to star in new Prime Video drama The Assassin Credit: THE ASSASSIN 2025 © Prime Video/Two Brothers Pictures/ Photographer: Robert Viglasky Keeley plays Julie, a retired assassin who is enjoying a quiet life on a remote Greek island – until her estranged son Edward arrives, that is. He has come to ask questions about his father, but it sets a whole chain of events in motion. Julie and Edward, played by The Good Doctor's Freddie, go on to uncover a dark conspiracy and are forced to head off on the run. Julie's complicated past then resurfaces and her fractured relationship with her son is put to the ultimate test. The Bear - Disney+, June 26 14 The Bear is back for a new series after the last ended on a cliffhanger Credit: 2025, FX. All rights reserved. IN what is likely to be the final series of Disney+'s much-loved drama, Jeremy Allen White is in a race against time to secure the restaurant's future. At the end of the last series, the restaurant was ripped apart by a review in The Chicago Tribune. Joined once again by Ayo Edebiri's Sydney , Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Richie and the rest of The Bear crew, Chef Carmy (White, above) will once again be chasing Michelin glory. It's all under wraps, but the cast will likely be packed with even more guest appearances, after series three featured John Cena, Thomas Keller and Will Poulter. Glastonbury - BBC, from June 27 THE BBC is showing more than 90 hours of the festival, with live streams from five main stages, and on-demand content for 30 days. The likes of Clara Amgo, Jo Whiley, Lauren Laverne and Huw Stephens will be there to guide viewers through the action on the iPlayer Glastonbury Channel. Neil Young The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, The channel will also have special recap montages from previous festivals, including Beyonce and Coldplay. The Hostage - Netflix, August 21 14 Suranne Jones returns to our screens playing a Prime Minister in a new Netflix drama Credit: Des Willie/Netflix SHE'S played some big characters and now But her life is turned upside down when her husband is kidnapped and she is forced to work together with the French President, a long-time rival. The two powerful women, who are also being blackmailed, have to navigate betrayal, danger and looming threats to their careers and personal lives in this twisting five-parter. Also featuring are Queen Charlotte hunk Corey Mylchreest, Miss Scarlet's Sophie Robertson, Before Sunrise actress Julie Delpy and actor and musician Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas. Dora And The Search For Sol Dorado - Paramount+, July 4 STARTING off as an animation series in 2000, Dora The Explorer had her first live action film in 2019's Lost City Of Gold. Now she is back for more adventuring. This time, teenage Dora, played by Samantha Lorraine , is embarking on a new journey deep in the jungle on a quest to find the mythical treasure of Sol Dorado. Along the way she will have to battle villains, with the help of her loyal cousin Diego, archaeologist Camila the Crusader and her trusty sidekick Boots the monkey. After making its premiere on kids' channel Nickelodeon UK on July 2, it will be available to stream – for kids and adults – on Paramout+. The Institute - MGM+, July 13 14 Martin Freeman's son Joe features in Stephen King-based horror The Institute Credit: Chris Reardon/MGM+ BASED on a 2019 novel by horror writer Stephen King, this eight-episode thriller follows 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious facility where children with unusual abilities are being held against their will. As Luke (played by Martin Freeman's son Joe) plots his escape, a former police officer, who has moved to the town for a quiet life, uncovers disturbing facts about the place, known as The Institute. Expect Stranger Things-style superpowers and the same kind of simmering discomfort as Stephen's previous TV adaptations, Castle Rock and The Outsider. Mr Bigstuff - Sky, July 14 Danny Dyer is back for a new series of Bafta winning comedy Mr Bigstuff Credit: ©Sky UK AFTER winning a Bafta for its first series, Sky's hit comedy returns for a second run, reuniting Ryan Sampson and Danny Dyer as brothers Glen and Lee. This time, the Essex duo navigate the Earth-shattering revelation that their dad might still be alive, sending the pair into a meltdown over how to locate him. Meanwhile, secrets threaten to tear the family apart. Expect a host of new characters, including Rula Lenska as the eccentric Rita, and Shaun Williamson playing a surprisingly angry children's entertainer. Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters - ITV, July 14 A brand new reality show will test the fears of celebrities when they dive with sharks WHAT better way to mark the 50th anniversary of the film Jaws than to challenge a group of ocean-phobic celebrities to dive alongside sharks? Filmed off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas, this new reality format sees the group coming face to face with increasingly larger and more dangerous sharks. The high-stakes, five-part show will feature Sir From panic attacks to near-miss encounters with the apex predators, the celebrities will be pushed to their personal limits in what is sure to make fun viewing. Wednesday - Netflix, August 6 14 Addams Family inspired drama Wednesday is back for an eagerly awaited new series Credit: JONATHAN HESSION/NETFLIX HIT series Wednesday became Netflix's most-watched English-language series of all time, in large part thanks to Jenna Ortega's deadpan performance of the iconic Addams Family character. And after solidifying itself in pop culture with the help of a viral dance, there's little surprise the series is back, this time with a darker mystery. Wednesday returns to boarding school Nevermore only to discover there is a serial killer on the loose. Series two brings back fan favourites Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley, while fresh faces on the cast list include Steve Buscemi and Joanna Lumley . Uefa Women's Euros - ITV & BBC, from July 2 14 There is live sport to get excited about when the Women's European Championships kick off Credit: Getty THE BBC and ITV are sharing coverage of the Women's Euros in Switzerland as the Lionesses, captained by BBC Sport will air half of the group-stage matches, including both England and Wales' games against the Netherlands , as well as three of the tense quarter-finals. Commentary and analysis will come from The England v Wales clash on July 13 will be a big live draw for ITV. Both channels will simultaneously broadcast the final on July 27. Thursday Murder Club - Netflix, August 28 14 Screen legends Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan are set to feature in Thursday Murder Club Credit: Giles Keyte/Netflix RICHARD Osman's best-selling first book is hitting the box with a star-studded cast. The series follows sharp-witted retirees – ex-spy Elizabeth, former union activist Ron, retired psychiatrist Ibrahim and nurse Joyce – in a fancy village for old folks who meet to solve cold cases. But then they find themselves caught up in a current murder that happens on their doorstep – and like the nosy old folk they are, they get to work trying to solve it. With a cast list that includes Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, above, plus Sir Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie,
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV star '30 seconds from death' after shark ripped hand and hamstring off
Paul de Gelder nearly died in 2009 when a bull shark attacked him in Sydney Harbour - now he's instructing the stars in diving for new series Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters An expert teaching the celebs to dive in ITV's upcoming series Shark! was mauled by a bull shark in 2009, which left him '30 seconds from death.' Aussie Paul de Gelder, 48, was subjected to a frenzied eight-second attack in Sydney Harbour during a training exercise with the Navy, which left him in 'total agony' as his right hand was bitten off and his hamstring was ripped out of his leg. Afterwards, a doctor told him that his life had been saved by one of the Navy team, who pinched closed the artery in his leg to stem the blood flow. De Gelder - presenter of Discovery's Shark Week - had been terrified of sharks since boyhood, but having researched them since the attack 15 years ago, is now dedicated to their conservation. He believes the bull shark went for him because a corpse had been found in the harbour the previous day - and it thought he was another one and an easy meal. Announcing his involvement in Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, de Gelder posted a picture of Lenny Henry and the rest of the reality recruits, saying: 'Did a little thing with a bunch of Brits. It was an amazing experience meeting and working with this group of legends.' Remembering his encounter with the bull shark, he has previously told how his life flashed before his eyes as he felt unimaginable pain. 'The shark grabbed me by my right hand and the back of my right leg in the same bite. It dragged me underwater and started thrashing me about. I tried to fight it off, but it had my hand, so I couldn't do anything with it,' he explained in an interview. As a schoolboy, he'd been taught to hit a shark in the eye in the event of being bitten, but he said: 'My left hand couldn't reach the shark's eye, and when I tried to punch it in the nose, it started shaking me. The pain was just so all-encompassing that the fight just went out of me. I was a rag doll in this monster's mouth while getting thrashed around underwater. I was in total agony and drowning at the same time.' Despite his terrible injuries, when the shark suddenly released him, he seized his chance to escape. 'I popped to the surface. That's when I realised I had survived this nightmare encounter. I started to swim back to my safety boat, and I took a stroke with my right arm, only to realise my hand wasn't there. My arm ended at the end of my wetsuit.' De Gelder's medical training kicked in, and he did what he could to slow the bleeding from his hand by holding it high as he swam towards the boat, which was coming for him. 'At that point, I had no clue that my whole hamstring was gone and that I had an arterial bleed from my leg.' He passed out once pulled onto the boat by his colleagues and, fearing he'd gone into cardiac arrest, one of them straddled him to perform CPR to keep his heart going while another acted to stem the bleeding. 'One of my doctors said if one of my mates hadn't reached into my leg to pinch close the artery, I would've died within 30 seconds," he has recalled. De Gelder, who is married and now lives in Los Angeles, spent nine weeks in hospital and astonishingly returned to military training six months later but a couple of years on he'd had enough. 'I was teaching people to do this thing that I love without ever getting to do it myself, and it was torture,' he explained. Interest in what he'd been through remained high however, and a few years later a broadcaster invited him on a trip to Fiji where he'd come face to face with the very species of shark that maimed him. He says that at the time he saw it as the chance for a free holiday, but the experience actually led to him leaving the Navy and starting a new career as a conservationist after spending time with 150 bull sharks, which affected his whole outlook. 'Being eaten alive may have changed my body, but spending time with these creatures is what really altered my mind,' he explained. It helped him overcome his fear of public speaking and by 2014 he had moved to Los Angeles to work on Shark Week for Discovery. He now takes celebs and regular people to meet sharks in their natural habitat. 'I've introduced sharks to lots of different people and every time they come out of the water, they say it has shifted something inside them.' De Gelder is now described as an 'unconventional conservationist' and his aim is to stop the widespread slaughter of sharks, which sees 100 million killed annually - a figure which he believes doubles when unofficial, unregulated and illegal activities are included. The shark population is estimated to have dropped by 70% since 1970, the start of the decade in which Jaws was released. 'If you did to land-based wildlife what we do to sharks, you'd go to jail for it, no question,' he said in a recent interview. 'But because it's unseen, out there in the deep blue sea, it goes unnoticed.' He wants to do everything he can to help save sharks, which is why he jumped at the chance to appear in the new ITV series, which starts next month and also stars Countdown's Rachel Riley, McFly's Dougie Poynter and Call the Midwife's H elen George. 'I'm adamant about speaking up for this animal that doesn't have a voice, it doesn't scream when you torture it, and so it's somehow looked upon as less,' he has explained. 'They feel, they suffer, and they need our help.'
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celebrities in new series Shark! taught by diving instructor with missing limbs
The celebrities were said to be taking a big risk as they swam with ever-increasing sized sharks in the Bahamas in a new ITV series to mark the 50th anniversary of Jaws The seven celebrities who agreed to swim with sharks in an ITV series which marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, were taught to dive by an instructor with missing limbs. The seven stars - who all admit to being scared of the sea - were Call the Midwife's Helen George, comedians Sir Lenny Henry and Ross Noble, Countdown's Rachel Riley, McFly's Dougie Poynter, Amandaland's Lucy Punch and TV presenter Ade Adepitan. All have now returned from filming Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters with their lives intact, but were constantly reminded of the dangers involved by their Australian instructor - who was missing an arm and a leg, courtesy of a tiger shark. For the five-part series, due to start next month, the celebs were challenged to confront their greatest fear and flown to the island on Bimini in the Bahamas, home to around 10 different species of shark. Once there, they took the plunge together alongside hammerhead, bull and tiger sharks. While there is no voting or elimination process in the show, the dives got progressively harder, with each involving a bigger and tougher breed of shark, and the celebrities were allowed to sit out if they felt overwhelmed. One insider said: 'The sharks they were free diving with were definitely dangerous and they were shocked when they realised what had happened to the expert, who'd had an arm and a leg bitten off.' Despite the series being shown as tribute to half a century since the Oscar-winning Jaws was released in 1975, the 'ocean-phobic' stars did not attempt to recreate the movie scenes. 'There were no Great Whites involved in the making of this show,' the source said. 'But it was not for the faint-hearted, that's for sure. Some were more scared than others.' Viewers will have to wait to see if any of the stars sustained injuries during the making of the programme, which was filmed last year. Yesterday presenter Rachel said that taking part was a 'dream come true' adding: 'It was the best trip, the best experience, the best everything, of my life.' Describing it as 'wet and wild' she added: 'Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters is a totally new type of entertainment show, with so much integrity and a love of sharks and conservation at its heart. And with the best bunch of people you could hope to work with.' The mum-of-two said she'd first been asked to take part a year ago. 'They said we're thinking of sending some celebrities out to the Bahamas for a few weeks to swim with some of the biggest, scariest wild sharks in the world.' Helen agreed that it had been brilliant, saying: 'One of the most insane experiences of my life, learning about this incredible creatures, with equally incredible humans.' Ross described it as a 'great adventure' and quipped: 'No, it's not a wind up, it's a real thing.' And pop star Dougie marvelled that it was the closest he'd ever get to a 'real Jurassic Park experience'. ITV entertainment boss Katie Rawcliffe said audiences should enjoy the combination of blue chip natural history programming with ITV's skill at entertainment, and called the famous faces taking part 'some of the bravest celebrities out there'. Karen Plumb, of Plimsoll Productions, said the aim was to give viewers a new perspective on sharks. '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.'
Leader Live
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
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.
