When Cherry Healey reached her early forties, she craved a new challenge. After fronting documentaries on women's health, facing the heat of the kitchen on Celebrity MasterChef and travelling across the UK for Inside The Factory, the presenter wanted to push herself to the limit.
As fate would have it, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins quickly came calling. Alongside the likes of TOWIE's Pete Wicks and Love Island's Georgia Harrison, viewers have seen Cherry, 43, challenged by an elite team of ex-special forces operators as part of the eight-day course, which saw them stripped of all their home comforts - and the experience was life-changing in more ways than one.
"It's one of the best things I've ever done," she tells us. "When I came out, I'd been dating this guy who was full of shenanigans. You know, there was lots of classic rubbish behaviour. I was really infatuated.
"I got back and the first thing I did was break it off with him because I thought, 'There's no way I'm going to jump out of a helicopter and then continue with this absolute farce.' So yeah, it changes you as a person and gives you a lot of self-confidence." Having watched the Channel 4 show from the comfort of her living room for years, the offer to appear on the latest series came at the "perfect" time. With her children, Coco and Edward, less reliant on her now that they are older, taking part was a no-brainer.
"It was really interesting when I got the call to say I'd been given a spot because I actually didn't really have to think about it very hard. It was an almost immediate yes," she admits.
"I knew this was not an invitation to go on holiday - I've watched the show for many years and I understood the level of tasks, so I did take a breath. But it came at such a great time, kind of the perfect time. My kids don't need me in the same way that they used to, so I've got more free time. I feel really physically strong, but I wanted to challenge myself."
Denne historien er fra October 21, 2024-utgaven av New UK.
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Denne historien er fra October 21, 2024-utgaven av New UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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HISTORY IN THE MAKING
To mark the 40th anniversary of Do They Know It's Christmas?, the BBC is airing behind-the-scenes footage of the recording
ALWAYS THE BAD GUY?
After playing evil Joel in Corrie, Calum Lill is treading the boards as a pantomime villain. Oh, yes he is!
BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
As doctors highlight the importance of early detection in dementia cases, here's how we can help protect ourselves
Jealous cop killed ex-lover's new wife in love triangle murder
DNA evidence from a bite mark on the victim linked an LAPD officer to Sherri Rasmussen's murder
'Every month I would plan my own death due to PMDD'
Shalina Casey, 48, of Hampshire, suffers from the same condition as TV stars Vicky Pattison and Kristina Goodsell. Here, she shares her story
'My dad was the only suspect'
Ahead of a chilling new documentary, Tina Wing's son Daniel speaks to new about finding justice for his mother 32 years after her brutal unsolved murder
Martine praises the pal who hasn't 'picked a side'
After her \"brutal” break-up, Martine McCutcheon enjoys a night out amid fears of losing friends
'Zach and I fell in love completely backwards'
Molly Marsh opens up about life after Love Island, settling down with boyfriend Zach Noble and becoming a pop star
'You should be able to be sensitive'
Professor Green talks feelings, fatherhood and the importance of a good night's sleep
´Coleen won't back out of any challenges'
As Coleen Rooney enters the jungle, good pal Danielle Lloyd tells new how she'll get on
