Southgate accepts Grylls’ ITV mission

Bear Grylls (left) with England manager Gareth Southgate

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has commissioned a survival reality special featuring adventurer Bear Grylls and England national team football manager Gareth Southgate.

Bear’s Mission with Gareth Southgate (1×60’) will see the coach swap the dugout out for some of the UK’s toughest terrain as he and Grylls battle the wilderness of rugged moorlands together.

The special is coproduced by Bear Grylls Ventures, US label Electus and UK indie Betty. David Harrison, head of factual and adventure formats at Betty, will exec produce.

Bear’s Mission with Gareth Southgate was ordered for ITV by Amanda Stavri, commissioning editor for factual entertainment, and follows on from other specials such as Bear’s Mission with boxer Anthony Joshua. Electus International is handling international distribution of the show.

“Ahead of the 2018 World Cup campaign, we took the England squad to the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre for a weekend of military training in the wilderness. It was hugely beneficial for the team and something I was keen to repeat,” said Southgate. “Bear’s mission has not disappointed by presenting me with some great physical and mental challenges over the past few days.”

Harrison added: “We were all transfixed watching the super-professional, unflappable Gareth Southgate in action during the World Cup, and we’re delighted we had the opportunity to take Gareth out of his comfort zone and see a whole new side to the England manager.”