HOSTS Ryan and Adam Thomas have defended the show after three contestants were rushed to hospital during a challenge.
ITV’s yet-to-air challenge show sees contestants face-off in a series of physical tasks to avoid elimination until just one is left standing.
99 To Beat hosts broke their silence after three contestants were rushed to hospital[/caption]
Adam teased there may be some underhanded tactics from a few of the contestants[/caption]
The Emmerdale star was left in tears during an emotional episode[/caption]
But during one task, three contestants needed urgent hospital care after “developing an allergic reaction” – with a number more treated at the scene.
The soap star brothers, who are taking on their first presenting gig together, said contestants have to “expect” that injuries may occur – especially as some of the games are “physical and demanding”.
Speaking to The Sun, Ryan said: “There was a lot going on at the time and when you’ve got 100 contestants, there’s a lot to manage and there’s a lot going on – it’s physical, it’s demanding.
“One of the girls was having a celebration with one of the other contestants and went over her ankle.
“I mean accidents happen and you’ve got to expect it when you’re doing a show with 100 contestants that anything is possible from a game perspective and from an injury perspective, you’re never going to 100 per cent come out of it unscathed.”
Ryan confirmed that all the contestants continued the process until they were eliminated – saying no one quit was forced to quit.
He continued: “But everyone that was apart of the show that injured themselves, were still apart of the show until they didn’t come last.
“It went really really well under the circumstances, we got exactly what we wanted out of it.
“Anyone can play the game, from your youthful 18-year-old self to your 90-year-old grandma or granddad, it’s an open book, anyone can play these games.”
Discussing if there were any early teething problems early on, Ryan said: “It is the first of it’s kind in this country, so there is a bit of structure that goes into it.
“Managing 100 contestants, managing the Thomas brothers is another big challenge, probably the biggest challenge at all.
“But I think overall it couldn’t have gone more perfect.”
Ryan admitted that as the series goes on, the competition heats up and becomes more fierce as the players battle it out to win £25,000.
He shared: “It’s all fun and games, but as the series goes on the drama gets a little bit more intense and the games get a little bit more intense, tensions are high, frustration comes into it.
“There are group games, there’s all sorts going on which can really spice up the whole game show throughout the series.
“I just loved the concept even before we started filming, it was made for me and Adam to be apart of this show.
“You really get to know the contestants, they tell you a little bit about their lives, they tell you a little bit about their background, why they’re there, what the money means to them and you really invest in them as a contestant, so it’s really interesting to see that unfold on screen and in these games.”
As the competition gets closer to the final, Adam teased there may be some underhanded tactics from a few of the contestants.
He shared: “A few of the contestant are definitely in it to win it, so there may be a few tricks and a few hidden objects to try and get the other contestants, there is definitely a little bit of foul-play.”
And the Emmerdale star admitted things get a little too much for him when he’s left in tears during an emotional episode.
He told us: “How you think one game is going to go, it completely goes in a different direction, expect the unexpected with this game show.
“There are a few games, where you think the contestant is going to be out but it just turns out that somebody just does something really bizarre and doesn’t get it as further as the other contestants.
“It’s definitely an emotional rollercoaster for the contestants but also for the viewer and the host as well.
“We go on this journey with them, we get to know then really well, it’s quite hard because you want to celebrate for the contestants going through but also we know we’re losing some great characters.
“Especially as you get closer to the £25,000, nobody wants to come last, the emotions as definitely running high and you feel for these guys.
“The longer you stay in it, the closer you get to the £25,000. It’s in touching distance, they really want to win it.
“Also it’s the frustration because on paper the games seem so simple, when you’re actually in the arena, and you’re trying to do those games and you’re still struggling – people are crying, it’s very dramatic at times.
“I did shed a little tear, I’m not going to lie – it’s quite an emotional experience for not just for the contestants, for the hosts as well.”
Adam admitted the series went so well they’re hoping ITV gives it a second series – despite the show being plunged into chaos.
He said: “Firstly how costly it would be to get 99 celebrities and I don’t know where we would find them all and keep them for three and a half weeks, but it would be a fun one to have, if we could do one for Comic Relief down the line, who knows?
“But we’re just hoping for a second series, our first one was great enough for us, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Sun previously revealed that one man suffered a head injury after he fainted in the toilets following the challenge, an insider claimed.
No one suffered life-changing injuries.
The show’s format has already been a big hit in Europe with a number of series having aired in the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium and Germany.
Initial TV, the production company behind hit shows such as Big Brother, Soccer Aid and Total Wipeout, is now hoping to bring the game show to UK TV screens with ITV.
The show, presented by Adam and Ryan Thomas, is still in production, and an on-site medic was present during the game and was able to quickly assist people.
In November 2023, contestants on Netflix’s Squid Game spin-off game show decided to take legal action claiming they suffered serious injuries including hypothermia and nerve damage.
A spokesperson for the production company told The Sun: “A small number of contestants received medical attention after having an adverse reaction to hay, while participating in a game to retrieve chopsticks from a large haystack.
“Filming was temporarily suspended and is due to resume later this week.
“Contributor welfare remains our top priority, and our established robust health and safety processes are regularly reviewed and assessed.”
99 To Beat is coming soon to ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Adam admitted the series went so well they’re hoping ITV gives it a second series[/caption]
