‘The course is bigger than it looks on telly!’: Ninja Warrior UK host Ben Shephard on TV’s toughest primetime hit

IT’S energy-sapping and downright scary-looking.

But Ben Shephard says Ninja Warrior UK is such a buzz that celebrities are queuing up to tackle telly’s toughest obstacle course.

And the interest in it is so great that gyms are opening all over the place to meet the demand for those keen to have a go.

Former Strictly winner and McFly drummer Harry Judd, Gethin Jones, Lydia Bright, Jenni Falconer and ex-Olympian Katharine Merry are among those joining ordinary members of the public this time.

“They’re all fit, strong athletic people who are inspired by the idea of achieving something extraordinary,” Ben told iN10.

“I’ve tried it myself and I know how nerve-racking and difficult it is.

“The simplest mistake and it’s all over. The fact that they were even willing to put themselves out there is testament to their bravery.

“They all know the world of television but, despite that, every single one was blown away by the scale of our course.

“It’s the only studio you walk in and think, ‘Wow, it’s actually bigger than it looks on telly’.

“And regardless of how they did, all left saying it was an incredible experience and that they wanted to have another go.”

More than 14,000 people applied to be on the show which is now back for a fourth series.

In the notoriously difficult primetime Saturday night slot which has proved to be a graveyard for so many shows, Ninja Warrior UK has been a solid gold success for ITV.

“If it was easy to get a hit show they’d be churned out left, right and centre,” says Ben.

“So if you’re a part of these little gems that come along every now and again, it’s an absolute thrill.

“I think we’ve tapped into the magic Saturday night formula which is providing something the whole family can watch.

“It has the humour and entertainment and slapstick moments along with the endeavour and achievement of these extraordinary athletes.”

Ben and co-hosts Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara are what he calls “the ringmasters” as the contestants try to complete what is the hardest course yet.

When Ben isn’t working with Chris on this, they are paired up each weekend for Sky’s Goals On Sunday.

He’s also busy working on his ever-popular daytime game show, Tipping Point.

“We’re in the middle of filming series nine at the moment,” he revealed.

“We have 165 episodes to do, three or four a day.

“It’s amazing to be filming series nine and the contestants that come in now love it just as much as those who came in at the beginning.”

On top of all that Ben still has his regular presenting slot on Good Morning Britain.

Filming has just switched from the iconic ITV Studios in central London, which is to be demolished, to a new studio at the former BBC HQ.

© A Photo/ITV/Rachel Joseph

While he was sad to see the demise of a building in which he’d worked for the best part of two decades, Ben’s taking the pragmatic view that as it’s closer to home he gets an extra 10 minutes in his bed.

And being at home for wife Annie and kids Sam and Jack, who are 12 and 11, is always a factor to be considered.

“It’s an ongoing quest to make sure the family get the best that I can give,” he confides.

“I’m sure I get it wrong occasionally but hopefully the boys feel I’m there enough – and not too much!

“To be honest, with my eldest about to become a teenager I think they like their own time.

“Social media is becoming more integral to their lives than their old man moaning about them not putting their socks away.”

Despite a busy schedule and cutting back to be more at home, Ben says one telly ambition would be to do a travel show.

“I’ve always loved travelling and meeting new people,” he adds.

“But I’m pretty sure if I said to Annie I was off to South Korea for a month she might actually lose it with me.”

Ninja Warrior UK, ITV, Saturday 6.30 pm