THE NEW British reboot of Survivor launched on BBC iPlayer in the autumn of 2023, and show host Joel Dommett ended up crowning a very unlikely winner.
Matthew Haywood was one of 18 contestants from the UK who got whisked away to a remote location in the Dominican Republic and forced to battle against the elements for survival.
The extreme challenge show is a smash hit across the globe, with 44 seasons in America and 11 in Australia.
In this series, like their international counterparts, the reality stars had to hunt for food to eat and build their own shelters.
All the while they were competing to win rewards and immunity from being voted out of the contest by fellow castaways.
Matthew was not seen as a likely winner, as he was only 21 and fresh out of university when he joined the show.
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The lad from Cumbria was up against athletes, fitness instructors, and ultramarathon runners - but still managed to take home the grand prize of £100,000.
In an exclusive interview with the Sun he opened up about the experience of facing extreme physical challenges while living on a diet of just rice and beans for 34 days.
"This one particular challenge, it was like being in a nightmare," he shared.
"The challenge was called Last Gasp. I saw it and thought, there's no way I can do this. But I ended up doing really well.
"I was in a cage underwater for over 90 minutes.
"I was under there and the cage is sinking, the tide is rising. It's trapping you under there and you can't breathe for minutes on end.
"I honestly felt like I was drowning. I was under there and all I could see was the light of the sun hitting the water. You can't hear anything. Joel Dommett was talking but it was just muffled because you're in the water.
"I sunburnt so badly. Even though it was 40 degrees I got out of the water and I had the chills because my body temperature had just changed and I was under there for so long.
"I came second, but the guy that did win it is a professional surfer. He can hold his breath for minutes, so it felt like a bit of a win for me."
Despite the tough missions, Matthew added that he loved his time on the reality programme, and is delighted to show the world how much a young person working in hospitality is capable of.
He has since been doing trips to primary schools to encourage other kids from a similar background as him that they also have the power to make life-changing events happen.
"I had so much fun on that show," he grinned. "I wish I could do it again."