Gethin Jones to host new TV series

Gethin Jones risks his life for Virgin1 to present, Deadly Weather: Fear Junkies premiering this Autumn on Virgin1. Gethin is set to swap sequins and sticky tape for tornadoes, volcanoes and big waves as he risks life and limb for a brand new series exclusive to Virgin1. He will step into the unseen world of obsessive enthusiasts, and follow the path of thrill seekers across the world joining them to fearlessly chase the most treacherous and extreme natural phenomena in the world.

Known for his intrepid exploits on Blue Peter and sharp moves on Strictly Come Dancing, Gethin will endeavour to uncover what truly drives these thrill seekers via a series of death defying expeditions across the world. While ordinary members of the public are evacuating, he will be running head first into the danger zone right there alongside them.

Filming for Virgin1’s series takes place across the world in locations as far afield as Hawaii, New Zealand, Indonesia, Nebraska and South Africa, and each episode will focus on a different spectacular natural phenomenon comprising rare water spouts, hazardous tornadoes, volcanoes, deadly ice and snow, perilous lightning and dangerous waves.

The series promises to see Gethin get as close as he can to experiencing the dangers of our volatile planet and chasing the violent forces of Mother Nature.

Along the way, he will follow a different community of seemingly ordinary people who spend their time obsessively following their hazardous hobbies. British novice Claire has sold her house to finance her American dream of tornado chasing, while Peter, a telephone engineer from Essex is so obsessed he named his daughter Storm!

British oceanographer and Big Wave forecaster Dr Tony Butt moved continents in order to be close to his favourite wave, Menakos in Northern Spain, and Worcestershire born Martin’s biggest obsession is capturing an avalanche on film.

Even former weatherman Michael Fish, famous for wrongly dismissing The Great Storm of 1987, will be thrown into the action in the US as he aims to fulfill a lifelong ambition of lightning chasing despite having no prior experience!

Gethin comments, “I’m thrilled to be part of such an exciting show on Virgin1. I can’t wait to find out what they have in store for me. I’ve heard rumours of 18,000 metre high tornadoes, deadly waves of up to 80ft, death-defying lightning storms, volcanoes and avalanches that exceed speeds of 300 kilometres per hour. I am ridiculously excited, a little bit scared but raring to go – I can’t wait!”