SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton hosts Channel Seven’s new reality TV blockbuster Million Dollar Island
SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton has joined one of the hottest new TV shows of 2023.
The ex-Marine is set to host Channel Seven’s new reality series Million Dollar Island, which has been generating buzz in the industry for months.
Developed by the team behind Wife Swap and Big Brother, Million Dollar Island sees 100 participants compete for $1 million in a survival game on a remote island.
SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton (pictured) will host Channel Seven’s new reality series Million Dollar Island, which has been causing quite a stir in the industry for months
Ant, 41, told fans the concept will be a must-watch on TV.
“Think The Hunger Games meets Lost… but not quite as brutal,” the burly former British soldier said in a statement.
Describing what to expect for future contestants, Ant said: “This is a high-stakes challenge for regular, everyday Aussies. Literally anyone can apply. You don’t have to be the fittest or strongest person to win big.’
In Million Dollar Island, 100 participants compete for $1 million in a survival game on a remote island
Emotional intelligence and confidence are key factors for competitors in the upcoming game, he said.
“I can’t wait to see what the Australian candidates have, how well they know themselves and how far they will go to change their lives.”
Contestants must learn to survive on the uninhabited island while competing for 100 bracelets worth $1 million.
Each participant starts the game with a $10,000 bracelet. More bracelets are won and lost in duels and challenges.
Ant has described Million Dollar Island as a cross between Hunger Games and Lost
Friendships and alliances are crucial to victory, because if a contestant leaves the island, they must give their bracelets to a contestant who stays behind.
Angus Ross, Seven’s chief content officer, entertainment programming, said Middleton was the perfect choice to host the hot franchise, which already has British and American versions in the works.
‘[Ant] is smart, tough and a brilliant strategist, qualities that will be invaluable as he plunges into the gameplay in what promises to be the most compelling and intriguing new series Australia has seen in a long time.’
Million Dollar Island is co-creator Stephen Lambert (pictured), who also created Undercover Boss, Gogglebox and Wife Swap
Seven West CEO James Warburton said he believes the show is the “biggest new global format right now” and casting for the Australian version is now underway.
Seven won the rights to Million Dollar Island after a bitter bidding war.
The creators behind Million Dollar Island are Stephen Lambert and John de Mol, a reality television success factory.
Dutchman De Mol, 66, is worth a staggering $1.8 billion, a personal fortune he’s amassed developing the formats for global hits like The Voice and Big Brother
Lambert, 62, his English partner on the new series, started out as a news producer before taking on the role of creative director at the BBC.
He made his millions directing reality TV hits like Undercover Boss, Gogglebox and Wife Swap.
Audiences will have their first chance to see Million Dollar Island in March when it debuts on Dutch broadcaster SBS6, but insiders say it could be the next Big Brother.
As of 2021, Big Brother has spawned 62 versions around the world.
Million Dollar Island co-creator John De Mol (pictured) is the talent behind global TV hits The Voice and Big Brother