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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'I SAY YES TO AS MUCH AS I CAN'
Lisa Dwan tells us about going from drug dealer to detective for her new drama, ditching make-up to be a role model, and fibbing on her CV.
BACK ON THE CASE
Parminder Nagra returns in DI Ray - but Rachita is a changed woman. The actress reveals what she has in common with her character, why this series feels different and the importance of Asian representation on TV
BEAUTIFUL BAKES
Everyone will simply love these indulgent breads and brownies they're the perfect treat for chilly days.
Talented tech entrepreneur killed on rooftop of her apartment
Pava LaPere was killed by a man who should never have been on the streets
'Menopause is one of the best things to ever happen to meʼ
Stefanie Joy Daniels on how early menopause made her leave a \"soulless\" career to launch a business helping other women
'Paddy has told me when he's been on dates'
Christine and Paddy McGuinness are divorced but share a home – something that Christine says can't last forever.
'It was one of the best things I've ever done'
Cherry Healey on why Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was a life-changing experience and how she's happier than ever
"I can't imagine my life without cameras"
As she prepares for the forthcoming series of Dancing On Ice, Ferne McCann chats about filming with family.
Martine is a picture of happiness after split
Martine McCutcheon shares smiley selfies following her marriage breakdown.
Molly's pain as Tommy tells all
Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has been left \"really upset\" by ex-fiancé Tommy Fury's new book, with a source telling us she feels his revelations have \"gone too far\"