Ranvir Singh has revealed she is confronting a deep-seated phobia of water, stemming from a near-drowning incident in her childhood, as she participates in the new ITV gameshow 'The Box'. The journalist, 49, was visibly shaken during a preview clip when tasked with climbing down a wall into water, admitting she cannot swim.
Singh explained in a confessional that the phobia developed when she was "really, really little" and jumped into a pool, going under. Since that event, she has experienced panic whenever her feet cannot touch the ground in water. Her co-host on Good Morning Britain, Kate Garraway, expressed surprise upon learning of Singh's fear.
The gameshow, hosted by Gary Lineker, challenges a group of celebrities to undertake various daunting tasks. Singh's participation on 'The Box' pushed her out of her comfort zone, an experience she described as potentially life-changing. She noted that being on an entertainment show is a stark contrast to her usual news reporting role, where she is expected to be composed and informed.
Singh shared that overcoming this fear has positively impacted her relationship with her son, Tushaan, 14, who is a strong swimmer and enjoys water activities. After her experience on the show, Singh felt courageous enough to snorkel with her son in the sea for the first time, even while wearing a life jacket, a step she felt was significant in conquering her phobia.
"He was so proud of me," Singh said of her son's reaction. "I was glad for him that he could see me conquer my fear. So it's definitely changed how I approach my life. It's opened up doors. I feel really proud of myself."
Also featured on 'The Box' are Ellie Taylor, Sara Davies, Jenny Ryan, Joey Essex, Shakira Khan, John Bercow, JB Gill, Graeme Souness, and Danny Aarons.
'The Box' airs on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. on ITV1.