NICK KNOWLES EXPLORES THE GREAT SOUTHWEST FOR CHANNEL 5

Nick Knowles turns adventurer for the very first time and is plunged into the extremes of the last remaining untamed frontier of the USA... The Great Southwest.

Nick will be pushed to his limits as he descends into one of the deepest canyons on the planet: the mighty Grand Canyon.

Here he'll meet the ancient Native American tribe who call it home and venture deep into the heart of the canyon, to where they still live today.

He will kayak in the mighty Colorado River, hike through the spectacular Vermilion Cliffs and see a conservation breeding programme at work which is successfully bringing back endangered condors to the Canyon.

The series will also follow Nick 400 miles to the west to the fearsome cauldron of 'Death Valley', where he will spend time with locals and learn how to survive in the hottest place on earth with temperatures regularly hitting 50 degrees centigrade!

Nick Knowles says: “I’m so excited to be out travelling again and working with an exceptionally talented team of film makers. It’s going to be cinematic, epic and full of big skies and joyful, fascinating personal encounters...

"I’ll be pushing myself to the limits with heat, altitude, deep caving, kayaking and trying to overcome my natural vertigo (which I’ve kept quiet until now). It includes some of the most inhospitable terrains on the planet and some of the most hospitable people. I can’t wait to share my adventures.”

Channel 5, Non-Scripted, Commissioning Editor, Adrian Padmore says: “We’re thrilled to be launching Nick Knowles compelling talent into a completely different factual space...

"Big Adventure will see him like we have never seen him before, from facing death defying environments to extreme railway journeys. We’re hoping this will be an eye opening treat for the Channel 5 audience.”

VIS UK Head of Factual, Oliver Wright says: “Nick Knowles is one of Britain’s best loved talents and in his new role as adventurer he excels. He’s the perfect fit to take us off the beaten track into exciting landscapes meeting incredible characters and communities along the way.”