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I was so scared of dying in a shark attack I made a will: Countdown’s Rachel Riley reveals her fears she’d be a ‘goner’ during filming for shocking new show

BBG News

Before taking off for the set of the new reality series Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, Rachel Riley found herself filled with apprehension.

But here she reveals the sheer euphoria of going eyeball to eyeball with ferocious maneaters…

 

Rachel Riley expressed that she found herself in an unfamiliar situation, swimming with some of the scariest marine animals, by stating, “We were plunged into deep waters.” She admitted to feeling both fear and excitement. She added, “It’s hard to predict how you’ll respond until you’re immersed in the experience itself!

Shark! Famous Faces in Dangerous Depths introduces a thrilling new reality series where seven individuals embark on an adventure to Bimini, Bahamas, for a face-to-face encounter with the ocean’s top predators – sharks. To Rachel’s surprise, she found herself thrust into action on the very first day, being asked to don a wetsuit and scuba gear in preparation for diving. As if that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, she was then instructed to descend a ladder into deep water, relying only on a sturdy metal cage as protection from the sharks lurking nearby.

One expert warned, “Make sure your limbs remain inside the enclosure as aggressive-looking bull sharks are swimming nearby.” And indeed, a group of these menacing creatures with their jagged teeth and predatory instincts emerged from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Rachel, who had never encountered a shark so closely before, admitted to feeling fear, her heart pounding rapidly, but she managed not to panic. Later, it was discovered that each species of shark has its unique characteristics. The bull shark, in particular, is known for its cunning and unpredictability, which makes the experts wary of them.

After experiencing them, you could describe it as: ‘You could see their expressions, sense their actions, and found yourself immersed in their realm.’ She felt an immense surge afterward. ‘It was breathtakingly beautiful. A sense of intense joy swept over me, accompanied by a strong physical response, like the rush of euphoria from a powerful chemical reaction within my body.’

Following that unexpected initial day, she was challenged to carry on swimming alongside various species of sharks, even without a protective cage. This experience served to emphasize the potential peril of her first encounter, as one swimmer put it, “If a bull shark were to appear while we’re unprotected in the water, they would act swiftly to get us out.

The renowned mathematician and TV host, known for her appearances on Countdown and Eight Out Of Ten Cats, confessed that she felt apprehensive even before boarding the plane for their journey. She revealed, “I drafted my will before we departed. I wanted to ensure everything was legally binding, just in case. After all, we’re dealing with wildlife. The unexpected can always occur.”

Her fear stemmed from a previous encounter with sharks during a holiday with her husband, Pasha Kovalev, a former partner on Strictly Come Dancing. “We were visiting the Galapagos Islands when we spotted a vibrant object in the water,” she recalled. “At first, we thought it was a discarded life jacket. But upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a sea lion that had been viciously attacked by a bull shark, struggling to remain afloat.”

She continued, “We had been snorkeling in those very same waters off the boat earlier.” This harrowing experience left an indelible impression on her, instilling a sense of caution and respect for these powerful marine predators.

She and Pasha first met on Strictly in 2013, and they tied the knot six years later. Their daughters Noa and Maven are currently three and five years old respectively. When she went away to do something unspecified, she chose not to inform them as she didn’t want to cause alarm. It wasn’t until she was in Bimini, having a video call by the water, that she mentioned, “Would you like to see some sharks?” To which they excitedly replied, “Yes!” Swimming with bull sharks could be fatal, but the girls encouraged their mother, saying, “You have to go swimming with them, Mummy!”. This gave Rachel peace of mind as the girls were too young to understand the risks involved.

Apart from the famous group of shark-bait, we have Sir Lenny Henry, comedian Ross Noble, Amandaland, actors Lucy Punch and Helen George from Call The Midwife, Ade Adepitan (Paralympian and presenter), and Dougie Poynter from McFly.

In this version, I’ve tried to make it more conversational and easier to read by using “Apart from” instead of “The rest of,” and breaking down the sentence into smaller chunks for clarity.

During the weekend, everyone present was taken aback upon seeing Paul de Gelder enter the room for the first time. As a former Navy diver, he lost an arm and a leg during a violent shark encounter in Sydney Harbor. However, he’s now turned into a conservationist and an unexpected advocate for these marine creatures.

Despite their surprise, he emphasized that the goal was to venture into open waters, without protection, alongside the same dangerous marine life that came close to claiming his own life. ‘On our next adventure, there will be no cage,’ he announced. The intention was to acclimate ourselves to swimming with rays and lemon sharks first, then gradually face more perilous creatures from hammerheads to the formidable tiger sharks. ‘Tiger sharks are massive, they can surpass four meters in length,’ Rachel explained. ‘They’re the ocean’s scavengers. They’ll consume anything. There were recent fatalities due to tiger sharks in that area when we visited.’

Helen George from Call The Midwife initially faced significant difficulties due to a deep-seated fear. As Rachel put it, “Your subconscious can play tricks on you.” If you have a fear of water, then dealing with sharks and other challenges becomes even more daunting, doesn’t it? But she’s one of the most resilient women I know. She was truly inspiring.

The movie “Shark!” draws inspiration from the classic film Jaws, which will turn 50 this summer and left the Great White with a fearsome reputation as a ruthless man-eater. Rachel, who lived near Southend in Essex, recalls her first encounter with the film vividly. At the age of seven, she watched part of it one night, but the experience was tainted when she was told her grandfather had passed away. It wasn’t until now that she revisited the movie.

In truth, Shark! may appear brash or clichéd based on its reality show exterior, but upon closer inspection, it transcends these stereotypes. Unlike typical reality shows, there are no winners here; instead, seven celebrities collaborate to conquer their fears and gain a deeper understanding of sharks. The outcome is breathtaking underwater imagery and an emotionally resonant investigation into humanity’s connection with these magnificent creatures. As Rachel explains, “Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our oceans. They consume pest fish that can devastate coral reefs. Without sharks, the reefs quickly deteriorate, leading to shoreline erosion and extreme weather conditions, causing everything to become unbalanced.

Rachel, expressing a reasonable thought, mused on her way there, “They must have ensured it’s safe if they’re making this, right? It can’t be that dangerous. I tend to trust easily.” However, Paul, who had experienced the worst-case scenario, cautioned, “No, don’t underestimate the risk. These are real sharks.

Just beneath the surface lay a ruthless nature, much like swimming among sharks feels similar to associating with the Mafia – everything seems peaceful and jovial until suddenly, without warning, danger looms and there’s no escape. Not all celebrities dared to take that final plunge. ‘By then, one could truly sense the need to safeguard one’s own life, for trouble might be lurking around the corner.’

Following my mathematical journey at Oriel College, Oxford, and earning my master’s degree, I found my life-changing opportunity one fateful evening, succumbing to my mom Celia’s persistent urging to apply for the Countdown position. With Carol Vorderman stepping down, it was clear that the role had some big heels to fill. In a slightly hungover state of mind, I penned an application letter: “I’m a math enthusiast, I adore this show, and being an Essex girl, why not slip in some sparkling white stilettos to fill those vacant shoes?

Ever since 2009, I’ve been captivated by this incredible woman who outshone a thousand contenders on the show, acing math problems like no other and cracking jokes that left me in stitches on Eight Out Of Ten Cats. That was just the beginning; in 2013, she danced her way into my heart on Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Pasha, only to find herself single amidst the whirlwind of fame. Their bond deepened during that turbulent time, culminating in a secret wedding in Las Vegas.

Success and love found her, giving Rachel the confidence to use her voice for causes she deeply cared about, inspired by her mother’s tireless work as a charity fundraiser. Yet, this newfound courage has drawn harsh criticism online. In her own words, “The more I speak, the more abuse I receive, and the more abuse I receive, the more I speak.”

In 2023, her commitment to Holocaust education and fighting against anti-Semitism was recognized with an MBE. This remarkable woman continues to inspire me and countless others with her strength, wit, and unwavering spirit.

On occasion, she makes mistakes, such as hastily connecting the stabbing incidents in Sydney last year to Islamist terrorism. After receiving backlash, she removed her post. However, due to the influence of public opinion and the fear of controversy, some individuals who gain popularity now are more cautious in their actions. She comments with a touch of irony that they might be gaining wisdom in the process.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but wonder about her openness – is there any remorse? She admits it carries a price tag, yet the true cost isn’t revealed until you’ve already made the payment. She cautiously avoids dwelling on hindsight, considering it fruitless. Instead, she makes decisions by asking herself: ‘Can I face my reflection if I do this or if I don’t?’ The only genuine choice, she believes, is to stand tall and accountable – not just to myself, but also to the people who matter most in my life.

Rachel, who identifies as an atheist, has grown increasingly connected to her Jewish heritage in recent years, even though her mother is Jewish. On her account with over 600,000 followers on X, she has pinned a post that reads: “Tough times for the Jews, but we’ll make it through.” The situation has become more heated since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent response.

Rachel mentions that she had felt unconnected to her Jewish identity before, but recently, it has become more significant for her. She explains, “Previously, I was just Jewish in name, without it significantly impacting my daily life. I had a Hebrew name and a mezuzah on my door, yet it didn’t play a prominent role in my life. However, that has changed now.” Rachel is one of the public figures representing a community that feels heavily burdened. While she acknowledges not everyone in the community shares her views, she expresses gratitude for the kindness and support she receives from many Jewish people she interacts with.

Pasha, who is Russian, experienced another significant impact on his life when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. They welcomed a family displaced by war into their home. As she puts it, “It reminds me of our Jewish heritage. My ancestors fled persecution during the pogroms that originated in what is now Russia and ended up here around the start of the 1900s with no assistance. This time, we were able to lend a helping hand.”

In my heart, welcoming strangers into our humble abode was a significant step I couldn’t ignore. As a proud parent to Noa and Maven, both carrying the rich heritage of Russia, I yearned for them to witness an unwavering embrace of their identity. I didn’t want them to harbor any feelings of embarrassment or remorse about who they truly are.

The refugees we welcomed were a remarkable family: Sasha, a lawyer, her ten-year-old son Mykyta, his grandmother, and aunt. They’ve become an integral part of our lives now. My little girls look up to Mykyta as their big brother. He, in turn, sees them as his little sisters. It’s a beautiful bond that transcends the boundaries of blood relations.

Her demeanor has shifted significantly. At first, Rachel was lively and untroubled. However, her facial expressions now hint at the deep emotional toll these disputes have taken on her. Despite the upcoming photoshoot, I couldn’t help but ask about her preparation for the Bahamas. “I’ve always been athletic,” she replied, “but these days, it’s just running after toddlers that keeps me in shape.

She didn’t hesitate to wear a wetsuit on camera as she had volunteered to do so. After having children, many of her modesty concerns seem to have faded away. Her body has transformed in ways beyond her control. As she approaches her 40th birthday, she no longer worries about these changes. The only vanity aspect she maintained for this project was getting her eyebrows done since she would be spending a lot of time in the water.

Rachel finds peace once more, as these waters prove tranquil. It was indeed Shark! that captivated us, for sharks only concern themselves with whether or not you’re their next meal. To them, your identity holds no importance whatsoever!

Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters starts Monday 14 July at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

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2025-07-03 20:04

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