ITV has officially unveiled the full contestant line-up for Ben Shephard's highly anticipated new adventure series, The Summit, which makes its debut tonight, February 10th. The show features thirteen diverse individuals embarking on an arduous journey to conquer one of New Zealand's most formidable peaks, navigating a wild and treacherous mountainous landscape spanning 8,500 feet.
Meet the Contestants Facing the Ultimate Challenge
Among the notable participants is Afton McKeith, a 24-year-old pageant and fitness coach who is the daughter of I'm A Celebrity icon Gillian McKeith. Afton brings prior competition experience, having previously vied for the title of Miss England. The remainder of the eclectic group includes a variety of professions and backgrounds, promising dynamic interactions and intense rivalries throughout the series.
Detailed Contestant Profiles
- Charlett: A 38-year-old Pole Fitness Instructor hailing from Wiltshire.
- Jenny: A 46-year-old Sales and Marketing Manager based in Peterborough.
- Dockers: A 36-year-old Senior Construction Manager from Hull.
- Tara: A 31-year-old Social Media Influencer representing Manchester.
- Tyra: A 24-year-old England Football Scout from London.
- Warren: A 52-year-old Ordained Minister and former Gladiator, also from London.
- Patrick: A 24-year-old Content Creator residing in Milton Keynes.
- Miranda: A 50-year-old Publican from Northampton.
- Colleen: A 48-year-old Ex-Steel Worker from Port Talbot.
- Drew: A 32-year-old Project Manager based in North London.
- Thomas: A 29-year-old Tour Guide from Winchester.
- Sean: A 25-year-old Customer Service Advisor from Liverpool.
- Joel: A 35-year-old Mentor and Coach from Loughborough.
Prize Money and Broadcast Schedule
Adapted from a successful Australian format, all thirteen contestants will compete fiercely to secure a share of a substantial £200,000 cash prize. According to reports from TVZone, the show's initial release was slated for 2025 but experienced a delay, rescheduling to 2026 due to production and broadcasting logistics. The premiere episode airs tonight at 9pm on ITV, with the second installment following at the same time on Wednesday, February 11th.
Episode three is scheduled for broadcast on February 18th, and subsequent episodes will continue to air weekly on Tuesdays, culminating in the finale on March 17th. This structured release pattern aims to build suspense and viewer engagement over the coming weeks.
Ben Shephard's Insights and Hosting Role
During a recent appearance on Monday's episode of The One Show, Ben Shephard shared intriguing details about his involvement and the show's unique premise. He recounted the initial optimism among contestants, stating, "It was great at the bottom! The sun was shining, and everyone was so full of hope and joy." Shephard explained the financial incentive, noting, "I split the money between them, and they got the cash out, and I gave them all about £14,000 that they put in their bags, and suddenly they're holding the winnings."
He elaborated on the high stakes, adding, "If they can get to the top, they will share whatever money gets there. Everyone was so excited when we started, but it didn't take very long for it to fall apart, though." Shephard also revealed the secrecy surrounding his hosting role, mentioning, "In fact, I wasn't allowed to announce I was hosting it and leaving This Morning to go over there until we knew they were on the plane flying to New Zealand."
This strategic concealment was intentional, as Shephard clarified, "We didn't want them to know who the host was because they might be able to Google it and work it out, because it's been made in Australia previously. They knew that they were going to New Zealand and face an adventure show of some sort, but they had zero idea, just the epic scale they'd have to face."
The Summit promises to deliver thrilling challenges, emotional moments, and intense competition as these thirteen individuals push their limits in pursuit of victory and financial reward. Tune in tonight at 9pm on ITV to witness the beginning of this epic adventure.
