TV personality Ben Fogle was too shy to approach women, so he decided to apply for Cilla Black's show Blind Date on BBC.

Ben Fogle, a 51-year-old broadcaster and TV presenter, recently revealed how he had to make a difficult decision between appearing on Cilla Black's romance show Blind Date or continuing with his role on the BBC reality show Castaway 2000. Despite his success on Castaway, Ben had always struggled with shyness around women and saw Blind Date as a potential opportunity to break out of his shell.

In a recent interview, Ben shared how his friend's experience on the show had inspired him to apply, and he even went as far as to apply for both Blind Date and Castaway at the same time. However, he was faced with a tough decision when he was offered a spot on Blind Date on the same day as his first interview for Castaway. Ultimately, he chose to turn down Blind Date in favor of Castaway, a decision that would ultimately shape his career as a television adventurer.

Ben's journey to fame began when he became a member of the Castaway community. From there, he went on to host shows for various networks, including the BBC, ITV, Discovery, and National Geographic. But despite his success, Ben has never forgotten the impact that his shyness had on his personal life and how it led him to take a chance on Blind Date.

Since then, Ben has come a long way in his personal life as well. He married his wife Marina Hunt in 2006, and the couple has two children together. However, they also faced tragedy when their son Willem was stillborn in 2014. Ben has since become an environmental activist and continues to be a beloved figure in the world of adventure TV.

Although Castaway may have been a pivotal moment in Ben's career, the show itself did not have the same lasting impact. While a second series and a reunion were aired, it was Ben who truly became a household name. In 2023, Ben even hinted at the possibility of a Castaway reboot, showing that he has fond memories of his time on the show and the island of Taransay.

In the end, Ben's decision to turn down Blind Date proved to be the right one for him. He has become a recognizable face and has found success and fulfillment in his career as a TV presenter and adventurer. And as for Blind Date, it will always hold a special place in Ben's heart as the show that almost was, but ultimately led him down the path to his true calling.

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