'Survivor' returns to TV with 2023 series for BBC One
Survivor is set to make a comeback in the UK, with a new series arriving on BBC One in 2023.
The reality TV contest is one of the most successful formats in the world, named ‘Number 1 Best Reality Show of All Time’ by Variety and with 50 international versions to date.
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Although it ran for two seasons on ITV in 2001 and 2002, it was not picked up anywhere else in the UK after the broadcaster dropped it, but is now due to make its return to our screens more than 20 years on.
Survivor, which launched its original version in Sweden in 1997, sees two tribes of contestants marooned in an isolated location and challenged to set up their own communities with fresh water, food and shelter all having to be found by the teams.
The BBC has confirmed that 20 contestants will take part and they will be left in an as-yet-unnamed tropical location to battle it out over a series of mental and physical challenges.
As the teams are whittled down through evictions at the tribal council, the tribes eventually merge with one lucky contestant walking away as the Ultimate Survivor, with a cash prize.
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Kate Phillips, director of unscripted at the BBC, said: "Survivor is a global television hit and to be able to bring one of TV’s most successful formats to audiences in the UK in a uniquely BBC way is a very exciting prospect indeed."
Natalka Znak, CEO of Remarkable Entertainment who will make the series, said: "Survivor is ‘the greatest gameshow on earth’ for a reason - it has everything - reality, adventure, drama, and the ultimate game."
The air date, host and cast will be announced at a later date.
Charlotte Hobrough and Jonny Gibb were the series one and two winners of Survivor UK at ITV, with comedian Zoe Lyons also having taken part as a contestant in series one.
Survivor is still running in Sweden and also has successful versions in Spain, Turkey, Russia, Norway, Denmark, Italy, France, Australia and many other countries, with the US version set to head into its 43rd season in 2023.
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