Castaway 2000, the grandaddy of reality TV shows, was no walk in the park. The participants had to live for more than a year on a remote Scottish island and were almost self sufficient by the time they left.

In comparison, the new, revamped 2007 series seems to be a whole lot easier. Its on a New Zealand island for a start, the weather at least has got to be better, and the castaways will only be on the island for three months.

But BBC One controller, Peter Fincham, has assured us here at Unreality TV that he believes that Castaway 2007 will be a much more difficult experience for the participants.

For a start they have no buildings on the island. Between the 13 Castaways they have 3 basic wood huts, no beds and very little food. In fact they were given only one match which they used to start a fire on the first night……it went out!

Host Danny Wallace has backed up Fincham’s claims and said: “It will be a pretty grim experience for them — I guarantee that.” And the shows boss Jeremy Mills stated:

“They won’t know what’s hit them. There’s no electricity, plumbing or running water — and they’ll have just one match to start a fire. We’re only giving them Second World War-standard rations, so they’ll have to fish if they want to eat well.

“And we’re not giving them beds — they’ve got a sack of sheep’s wool, they’ll have to use that.”

To make things tougher the producers have partly dismantled the few huts, smeared human waste on their outside toilet and sprayed dust into their kitchen. As part of the shows interactive features the public will be allowed to make decisions on issues such as whether or not to release giant insects or rats into the compound, or whether to award the Castaways items such as Champagne or vinegar.

This show sounds more interesting by the day! Roll on Friday night!

Name: Jonathan Shearer
Age: 41
From: Benbecula, Scotland
Occupation: Education Officer – RSPB
Relationship Status: Recently fallen in love
Star Sign: Pisces
Motto: “Do what though wilt shall be the whole of the law”

After spending many years living and working abroad as a migrant worker in countries such as Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Vietnam and Nigeria, Jonathan admits that “humans make me sad” and leads a nomadic lifestyle on Benbecula Island in Scotland.

Jonathan has spent the most of his life working as a teacher, but lists other jobs as ranging from being a professional psychic, sewer digging, and zoo keeping to banking, refuge work for the Lumhotlz’s tree kangaroo, fortune telling and tarot card reading. He says he even considered being a monk admitting that “the monks didn’t want me”.

Previously divorced, Jonathan has recently returned from Croatia where he fell in love with a woman he met online whilst setting up a bird sanctuary over there. Jonathan claims he will not miss a thing whilst on the island and he “cannot wait to get away!”

Name: Jason Ross
Age; 37
From: Kent
Occupation: Unemployed
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Star Sign: Leo
Motto: “Don’t take life for granted but live it to the full.”

Currently unemployed and a recovering drug and alcohol addict, Jason has been clean for 18 months. He moved from London to Kent and is hoping to become an addiction counselor when he returns from Castaway.

A devoted father to his seven year old son, Jason admits that his ambition in life is to be a good role model for his son.

Jason is a qualified carpenter and joiner and he admits that he could build shelter if needed, which would stand him in good favour with his fellow castaways.

As much as Jason is keen to throw himself into island life, he does confess that he will struggle to live without his hair clippers, razor and food. he says that he can be quite greedy where food is concerned and lists the shortage of it as one of his biggest fears.

Name: Kenneth Rose
Age: 64
From: Essex
Occupation: Photographer
Relationship Status: Married
Star Sign: Virgo
Motto: “Get on with it!”

After leaving the army Kenneth Rose pursued his interest in photography, first becoming involved in the glamour industry before moving on to weddings. He also works as a freelance driving instructor.

His service in the marines has stood him in good stead, equipping him with a can do attitude. He’s skilled at DIY and carpentry, can build shelters, kill animals, fish for food, navigate with a compass and administer first aid.

Kenneth admits that he will find it hard to live without the love and support of his family but with his military experience and straight forward, no-nonsense attitude he is determined to succeed at life on the castaway island.

Name: Wendie Mitchell
Age: 42
From: London
Occupation: Carer and Counselling Support Student
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Star Sign: Cancer
Motto: “God pays debts without money.”

Wendie describes herself as fun, outgoing and independent; she talks fondly of her upbringing in Dalston, London and although she admits it was a “rough part of London” she says that she feels happiest there, and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Wendie loves to dress up and go “raving”. One of her biggest passions is ska music for which she runs her own website.

Wendie is a full time carer for her mum and has four daughters. She as struggled in the past to make ends meet and one of her greatest ambitions is to “be wealthy enough to not worry about money and to own my own home, maybe even afford a few holidays a year.”

Name: Lucinda King
Age: 27
From: London
Occupation: Event Project Manager
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Star Sign: Pisces
Motto: “Life is given to you to be loved.”

Lucinda admits that she is currently disillusioned with her city life and is desperate for an opportunity or experience that will “open my eyes to who I am, what i am and where I’m going.”

Lucinda has a keen interest in sport, listing running,cycling, climbing, skiing, horse riding, windsurfing, kneel boarding, boxing and yoga as her hobbies.

As a castaway, Lucinda is a little concerned about being deprived of sleep or food which turns her into a less pleasant person. She is hoping that her time on the island will bring her closer to her ambition, to seek out happiness.

Name: Hassan Kobeissi
Age: 24
From: Suffolk
Occupation: Labourer
Relationship Status: Single
Star Sign: Libra
Motto: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

A Non practising Muslim, Hassan admits that he does not like to be told what to do by anyone and is not afraid to speak his mind. “I’m a truthful person who likes to get to the point very quickly. I’m original. What you see is what you get.”

He confesses that not being able to go to the gym will probably be the hardest thing for him to cope with whilst being on Castaway and missing his family and friends.

Name: Alasdair Humberston
Age: 19
From: Northampton
Occupation: Psychology student (on a double gap year) who owns his own Web Design company.
Relationship Status: Single
Star Sign: Aquarius
Motto: “He who dares Rodney, he who dares!”

Considered by some to be cheeky, witty and not bad looking, Alasdair is a confident man and knows exactly what he wants – to become a venture capitalist millionaire.

Alasdair has been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia and is currently on a double gap year before starting his university degree at Edinburgh University.

Currently single, Alasdair believes the island will be a great place to meet women and plans to charm them with his rapping, a skill acquired during his time in a Goldie Looking Chain tribute band.

Name: Erica Hurst
Age: 22
From: Bolton
Occupation: Lap Dancer
Relationship Status: Recently married
Star Sign: Aries
Motto: “F*ck it, you only live once!”

Having received high grades in her GCSE’s A Levels and BA HONs degree course, Erica is delighted at the thought of never studying again.

Currently a lap dancer at a well known strip club, Erica aspires to be an actress.

A tomboy at heart, Erica is keen to get stuck in to the challenges that Castaway might bring. She lists snowboarding, Thai boxing and extreme sports as some of her hobbies and says she will try anything once, but not without her mascara.

Name: Gemma Zinyama
Age: 22
From: Essex
Occupation: Sales Executive
Relationship Status: Recently got a boyfriend
Star Sign: Aquarius
Motto: “Work hard, play hard!”

Gemma describes herself as a happy person with a strong personality, admitting that shr knows how to stand up for herself and others around her. She likes to make people laugh and although admits to beign quite talkative at times she thinks she can be fun to be around.

Listing cooking and cleaning as her worst skills, she hopes to brush up on these whilst on the island.

A strong team player, Gemma “hates lazy people” stating that she will always do what is needed in order to complete a task.