Channel 4 confirm The Island With Bear Grylls to return for a third season

Channel 4 has commissioned Shine TV to make a third season of BAFTA and RTS winning survival showThe Island with Bear Grylls.

The first series averaged 3m, with an 11% share and consistently won the slot with 16-34 viewers, with an average share of 19% of the young audience. Series two has grown with 3.2mviewers to date, with a 13.1% share

On the announcement of a second season over 80,000 people applied to take part, all believing they had what it takes to survive cast away on a remote pacific island in just the clothes they stood up in, basic training and with just a few tools.

Channel 4 is once again looking for a broad range of both men and women who think they have what it takes to thrive in such challenging conditions.

The first series explored the idea that modern men, cosseted by modern luxuries, had lost the practical skills of their forefathers needed to keep them alive. In a gripping second series a cross section of ordinary British men and women were challenged to see if they too could battle the elements facing exhaustion, dehydration and crippling hunger.

Bear Grylls said "It has been incredible to see the effect that The Island has not only on those who undergo the challenge themselves but also from so many millions of viewers around the world. It reminds us that when squeezed and stripped of everything, mankind and womankind still have an amazing spirit of resourcefulness, courage, and endurance, as well as an inspiring ability to form the closest of bonds with those alongside them going through hell.

"As a team we are ambitious to raise the bar for this third series and push the limits of human survival even further. Hold tight!"

Liam Humphreys, Head of Factual Entertainment, Channel 4 added "The Island with Bear Grylls is the ultimate survival challenge. It's visceral, authentic and unpredictable and we're delighted it has captured the public's imagination. I'm thrilled to announce it will be returning."

Kelly Webb-Lamb, Managing Director, Shine TV said "We are delighted to be bringing a third series of The Island with Bear Grylls to Channel 4. We are immensely proud that this raw and gripping series has captured the imagination of the audience, and cannot wait to see another set of brave Islanders take on this ultimate test of endurance."

To apply to take part in the third series go to channel4.com/theisland

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Production Information:

Executive Producers: Ben Mitchell (Shine TV), Tim Whitwell (Shine TV), BGV Exec Producers Bear Grylls, Delbert Shoopman

Production Company: Shine TV/Bear Grylls Ventures Co-Production

Commissioning Editor: Factual Entertainment: Liam Humphreys