British Mountain Guide on Channel 4
Maggie enjoying 'The Cracks' on Dinas Mot
British Mountain Guide, Martin Chester, provides the climbing expertise and coaching for the "Hidden Talent" TV show on Channel 4
Richard Bacon presents this exciting new series helping people to unlock their previously hidden talents and skills. The first episode focuses on two drastically different skills, rock climbing and lie detection. After experts test the general public in both physical and mental capacities, they narrow their search down to find the individuals that they believe had the greatest potential to excel in each field.
“We gave over 300 people, who had never even considered the sport, the chance to try rock-climbing – with amazing success” says Martin Chester “it was a great opportunity to design tests that prove there is more to climbing than bravery and biceps!”
The 10 candidates in rock climbing are put through a series of tasks in a long weekend at Plas y Brenin by British Mountain Guide Martin Chester, testing their agility, ease with heights, leadership qualities and communication skills. Maggie, a 45 year-old nurse and grandmother, is selected to take her new-found skill even further by receiving one-on-one training ahead of her final challenge: to ascend the 200ft Old Man of Stoer sea stack in Scotland, which normally takes years of training to attempt.
“I couldn’t believe how well Maggie coped with everything we threw at her – and how much she loved it! What you see on film is what we got! There are no camera tricks, no hidden ropes, and some very real consequences”
After just 18 days of intense tuition, through which Maggie displays true courage and tenacity, will she be able to show once again that she can conquer her fears and overcome this sheer 60m rockface?
“With challenging conditions on the day, the outcome was far from certain. At times my heart was in my mouth as Maggie and I gambled everything. It makes my palms sweat just thinking about it. I can’t wait to see the results”
The tests carried out on potential contributors are designed to assess aptitude rather than skills or knowledge, so viewers can also take part through specially designed interactive tests on the Channel 4 website.
In reality, Maggie had a genuinely exceptional talent, and thanks to the coaching and mentoring from a British Mountain Guide, she acheived incredible feats in an amzingly short time. What you see on film is the real deal - no tricks, and no 'off-screen' rehearsals - just real people taking part in some real trad climbing adventures!
