Ranvir Singh, known for her role on "Good Morning Britain," has shared that participating in the new ITV gameshow "The Box" pushed her beyond her comfort zone, enabling her to overcome a long-standing phobia of water. The experience proved to be "life-changing," Singh told the Daily Mail at the show's launch event.
Singh, 49, described her fear as an inability to be in water where she cannot touch the bottom. She explained that her son, Tushaan, 14, who is an avid swimmer, had often encouraged her to be more comfortable in the water. Following her participation in "The Box," Singh found the courage to snorkel with her son on a family holiday. "It was amazing. He was so proud of me. I was glad for him that he could see me conquer my fear," she said, noting that the experience has altered her approach to life and "opened up doors."
"The Box," hosted by Gary Lineker, features ten celebrities sealed in yellow boxes and placed in various locations to face unpredictable challenges with minimal instructions. Singh mentioned that her background in journalism, where she is expected to find answers, made the lack of briefing notes on the show discombobulating. She hopes her colleagues will be surprised by her performance, as she is typically composed and knowledgeable in her news role.
Singh also reflected on the camaraderie developed with her fellow celebrity contestants. "We just really got to know each other," she said, appreciating the opportunity to connect with people whose paths might not normally cross in her daily life.
Regarding the show's competitive nature, Singh stated, "I'm not especially competitive. I was much more interested in enjoying the experience." She observed that some other contestants were highly competitive and focused on eliminating each other.
Gary Lineker, who signed a deal with ITV after departing the BBC, is hosting "The Box." The show is touted as a potential replacement for "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway." Each episode culminates in "The Duel," an elimination challenge between two contestants.
Lineker described hosting "The Box" as a new and appealing experience due to the concept's unique nature. His move to ITV followed a controversy regarding anti-semitism accusations related to a social media post, for which he later apologized, stating he was unaware of the symbol's meaning and that such content goes against his principles.