Celebrity Bear Hunt star Shirley Ballas has revealed the intense fitness regime she undertook to prepare for the adventure show.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, is the oldest contestant on the Netflix series – but she is no stranger to danger.
In 2019, Shirley nearly died when she scaled the 12,000 foot volcano Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, for Comic Relief and lost her footing on the mountainside.
She took inspiration from the huge hiking challenge for her preparation for Celebrity Bear Hunt before jetting off to Costa Rica to film last May.
Shirley revealed she underwent a gruelling fitness regime including getting in 10,000 steps everyday before 7am, as well as heading to the gym, doing yoga classes, riding her Peloton bike and running on the treadmill.
‘You know, it’s not easy at 64,’ she said. ‘I’m not like a competitive dancer anymore but I teach dancing on my feet every day for 12 hours.’
Celebrity Bear Hunt star Shirley Ballas, 64, has revealed the intense fitness regime she undertook to prepare for the adventure show
Shirley took inspiration from the huge hiking challenge for her preparation for Celebrity Bear Hunt before jetting off to Costa Rica to film last May
Speaking ahead of the show’s air date on February 5, Shirley said: ‘I’ve broken in my boots like I did for Kilimanjaro. So I didn’t just get them and pack them, I wore them over and over again.
‘I go to the gym, I get my 10,000 steps in before seven o’clock in the morning every day. At home I get up super early before I go to work, I do yoga, I do the peloton bike, I do the running machine.
‘You know, it’s not easy at 64. I’m not like a competitive dancer anymore but I teach dancing on my feet every day for 12 hours. So, yes, I’ve done my bit I think. I’ve done the best that I can for it.’
She opened up about being the oldest contestant as she shared which role she thinks she will take on in the group – and how she’ll keep people in check.
She said: ‘I feel my place in the team dynamic being the eldest person here at 64, I will be that Mummy figure.
‘I’m a great listener. If I see something starting to kick off I’ll be the one that tries to resolve it, I won’t be the one who backs off from it. I like justice. I don’t like bullying.’
But despite no longer competing as a dancer, Shirley still has a very competitive side.
‘My son this morning said – “Don’t think about being competitive”,’ she said. ‘I said, how do you tell a 64 year old woman who has been competitive all their life, not to be competitive?
Shirley revealed she underwent a gruelling fiitness regime including getting in 10,000 steps everyday before 7am, as well as heading to the gym, doing yoga classes, riding her Peloton bike and running on the treadmill
In 2019, Shirley nearly died when she scaled the 12,000 foot volcano Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, for Comic Relief and lost her footing on the mountainside
She opened up about being the oldest contestant as she shared which role she thinks she will take on in the group – and how she’ll keep people in check.
‘Even though we have got young and strong people there, that’s who I am.’
Shirley revealed she is not afraid of a challenge as she added: ‘I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, I’ve jumped out of aeroplanes for men’s mental health.
‘So, I do a lot of challenges and whilst I get a bit nervous inside, I never show it. Fear is not something I show.’
Holly Willoughby hosts this action packed competition show Celebrity Bear Hunt that sees a group of unlikely celebrities dropped into the Central American jungle as prey for one of the world’s most fearsome predators – Bear Grylls.
Bear believes there’s an action hero inside us all – even the celebs – but how strong their will to survive is will be tested.
As Bear puts them through their paces, those who fail to impress will face the dreaded Bear Hunt.
It is a brutal game of cat and mouse where they’ll be hunted down by Bear himself and, if captured, face elimination from the show.
Shirley revealed she is not afraid of a challenge as she added: ‘I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, I’ve jumped out of aeroplanes for men’s mental health’ (Pictured on Kilimanjaro in 2019)
When Shirley’s name was announced as a competitor last year, a source told the Daily Mirror: ‘Shirley is a fabulous choice, and is impressively fit thanks to years of ballroom dancing.
‘She will be able to show off her strength and determination and show Strictly viewers a whole other side to her.’
Celebrity Bear Hunt premieres on Netflix on February 5.
MEL B
AGE: 49
She’s here to spice up the jungle and face the Bear Pit head on!
SHIRLEY BALLAS
AGE: 64
Will those high kicks and spins help when it comes to evading Bear Grylls?
LEOMIE ANDERSON
AGE: 31
Will she be a model team player or will she get caught in one of Bear’s traps?
ZUHAIR HASSAN
AGE: 29
He’s confident in his skills, but will he be able to take the heat or will the pressure be too much to handle?
LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN
AGE: 59
There will be no changing rooms here, only changing strategy.
LOTTIE MOSS
AGE: 27
Will this model student be able to outsmart the teacher?
BORIS BECKER
AGE: 57
He’s served on courts around the world but will he ace Bear Grylls’ challenges?
KOLA BOKINNI
AGE: 32
He is ready to head into the Bear Pit, but will he captain his fellow team mates or go at it alone?
DANNY CIPRIANI
AGE: 37
He will be tackling the challenges head on but will he be a match for Bear Grylls?
UNA HEALY
AGE: 43
Our Irish beauty will not be able to sing her way out of these brutal challenges!
STEPH MCGOVERN
AGE: 42
Will Steph be sent packing or will she come out on top?
JOE THOMAS
AGE: 41
The only thing standing in between him and freedom is Bear Grylls – but will he fold under pressure?
