THE VERY BEST OF BRITISH

Mel B [left] was really game for an adventure and brutally honest about her life and struggles. Those are key elements of my show’s success – willingness and authenticity. She was always going to be a fun guest, and it is a nice change to film with fellow Brits. However much fun I have with big Hollywood actors – and we have had so many laugh-out-loud moments when filming with US stars – there is always something special about filming with British guests. It’s the banter and the subtle mickeytaking that is so good to be around.

Mel B brought it in spades. She was brilliant. I will never forget her urinating on my hand after I got stung by a jellyfish. You’ve got to laugh at life sometimes, eh? And then what’s not to love about ending any adventure with a jet ski being dropped off by helicopter for us as we emerged from a sea cave to swim out to it and ride off… great moments.

Another time, we brought Kate Winslet to the mountains of North Wales. We finished the shoot on an amazing peninsula of wild terrain that I had purchased with some friends a few years earlier, to protect the headland from ever being built on. For us to abseil down the cliffs of the headland and swim out to our inflatable boat was special.

Kate loved it all and has remained a good friend. Our adventure was like camping with Mary Poppins: she was relentlessly positive, brave and good-humoured – all such strong survivor traits – and I would have her on my team if we were stranded in some jungle any day.