Former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright has reportedly landed his first hosting role since returning to the UK as a gruelling new reality TV show comes to our screens.
Mark, 35, will host the UK version of popular US show The Challenge, which will air on Channel 5, where a number of celebrities go head to head in a series of extreme challenges. They will go against each other in a bid to avoid elimination for the prize fund for the winner.
According to The Sun, Mark is said to have "really impressed" the new show's producers and has reportedly already been signed up for a second series if the programme gets commissioned.
A TV insider said: "Mark really impressed the producers on The Challenge and they signed him up immediately.
"It is a big deal as it is the first time the show is being made with UK stars. Mark filmed the series at the end of last month in Argentina and he’ll be seen on screen as the celebrities take on a series of tough challenges.
"It is a role that was made for Mark because he loves fitness and is competitive. He got really stuck in during filming and if a second series is commissioned, the production wants Mark on board again."
Mark moved to Los Angeles in 2017 after earning a big presenting break with Extra TV, but returned to the UK two years later to be with wife Michelle Keegan as he pursued a career closer to home.
Last month, it was reported that three former Love Island favourites had signed up for the show: Arabella Chi, Kaz Kamwi and Marcel Somerville.
Other stars believed to have been filming in Argentina for the debut series are TOWIE legends James Locke and Joey Essex alongside Geordie Shore star Nathan Henry.
The programme was first created as a spin-off for two separate MTV shows: The Real World and Road Rules in 1998.
It has not been broadcast in the UK with it only being aired previously in the US but it was announced earlier this year that four international series were commissioned: The United States, United Kingdom, Argentina and Australia.
It is also rumoured that the winner of each series will face off in 'The Challenge: Global Championship'.
Georgia Harrison, Theo Campbell and Gabby Allen – who all appeared in the 2017 series of hit ITV2 dating show Love Island – have appeared on The Challenge, which is hosted by American BMX megastar T.J. Lavin, since leaving the villa.
Channel 5 have returned to reality TV after axing Big Brother in 2018 and hopes The Challenge will rival its former show, which will be reprised on ITV2 in 2023.
The Mirror have contacted Mark's representatives for comment.
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