Rob Beckett has been named as host of Unbreakable, as six celebrity couples prepare to put their romantic relationships to the ultimate test
Celebrated for his smash-hit podcast on family life, Rob combines sharp observations with non-stop laughter as he puts six celebrity couples through a series of mental, physical and emotional challenges designed to reveal whose relationship is the strongest.
Ready to rise to the challenge, Loose Women star Denise Welch (64) hopes to paint a picture of perfect love with her acclaimed artist husband Lincoln Townley (49), whose sought-after contemporary works are the subject of sell-out exhibitions around the world.
After a chance meeting on a beach in Marbella 18 months ago, Pimlico Plumber Charlie Mullins OBE (69) is set to compete alongside his partner, singer-songwriter RaRa (32). Preparing to prove their relationship is water-tight, this couple isn’t afraid to show their competitive side.
Falklands veteran and author Simon Weston CBE (61) hopes to secure a triumphant win for Wales, with his beloved wife Lucy Weston (54) by his side. After 35 years together, this couple believes they’ve cracked the secret to long-lasting success.
World record-breaking BMX racer and track cyclist, Olympian Shanaze Reade (33), will compete alongside event organiser and TV personality, Teddy Edwardes (32). Will ‘speedy Readey’ and ‘steady Teddy’ cross the finish line in first place?
Comedian and Presenter Stephen Bailey (35) will share the stage with his employment lawyer boyfriend, Rich Taylor (37). In a tale of true modern romance and dating app success, will Rich be there to defend Stephen when he’s under the spotlight, ready to bring down the book on the opposition?
And, in a surprise late addition, champion ballroom dancer and Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas (61) will temporarily put her dancing shoes to one side, while she and award-winning star of the West End stage Danny Taylor (48) prove it takes two to tango. But will the all-singing, all-dancing duo score a perfect 10?
The couples will compete under the watchful eyes of two experts, who will encourage them to open up about life, love and relationships. Anjula Mutanda, Relationship Psychotherapist, popular TV commentator and president of Relate, believes that "maintaining connection, having mutual respect, and having fun together can really strengthen a couple’s relationship". Britain’s favourite Agony Aunt Maria McErlane believes that "most problems can be solved with kindness and communication".
Rob Beckett says: "Who doesn’t like to see celebrities and their real life partners put to the test under pressure? It was an amazing experience to film, and I'll never be able to un-see Shirley Ballas get a tattoo, Denise Welch fall into a lake, or Simon Weston blindfold his wife in a maze."
The competition will show an intimate new side to some of the UK’s favourite TV personalities, with a complex series of challenges designed to test the five key pillars of a relationship: trust, honesty, understanding, patience and communication. After years in the public eye, viewers may be surprised to see these couples in an unexpected new light, as they compete to prove they are truly unbreakable…
Unbreakable a 6x60’ for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, is made by 110% Content. The Managing Director is Siobhan Greene, the Creative Director is Andy Culpin. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Commissioning Editor is Michael Jochnowitz. Executive Producers for 110% are Anna Dunkley and Jonny Lusk. Fremantle own the worldwide format rights for Unbreakable outside of UK and US.
Pictured: Lincoln Townley, Denise Welch, Charlie Mullins, Rara Leavesley, Shanaze Reade, Teddy Edwardes, Rob Beckett, Lucy Weston, Simon Weston, Shirley Ballas, Danny Taylor, Stephen Bailey, Rich Taylor
Picture: BBC/110% Content/Pete Dadds
