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Castaway 2000 (BBC) - 25 Years On...
On 1st September 1999, I was sitting in Ben Fogle's living room alongside Trevor Kearon. The phone rang and it was Cynthia McVey, the psychologist who was working with Lion TV. One by one we were told whether we had been selected as participants for a year-long, ground breaking reality TV series called Castaway 2000. All three of us were selected! That evening was one filled with euphoria, high hopes and a considerable amount of champagne. During the coming three months I resigned my job, put my worldly belongings into storage at Nick's house, had several raucous farewell parties and waved goodbye to family and friends. Myself, plus 11 other of the 36 Castaways landed on Taransay on 6th December 1999 to help the professional builders with constructing the infrastructure for the project. A stormy winter created many obstacles and the project missed its deadline which caused all manner of challenges early on in the project. 
10 of the advanced party went home to their families for Christmas leaving Trevor and myself and meaning that we were the only Castaways to have two Christmases on the island. The project started in earnest on 31st December 1999 with a suitably alcohol fueled party as we entered not just the start of our project but also a new millennium. 
It's so hard to put into words what happened during those 13 months. For me it was life changing. It came with challenges and it changed my character - hopefully for the better. It opened my eyes to many things and helped me to understand myself. I learned about people, friendship, mental well-being, nature, the outdoors and so much more. My thanks to all the Castaways and all others who were involved. Some days were tough on us all - I hope I wasn't too hard to get along with. Remember the good times and forget the rest! 
Most of us made it to the end. Unfortunately a few left during the year for personal reasons. The celebration at the end was possibly even bigger than at the start. Helicopters were sent to pick us up on 01/01/01 and I can remember feeling an incredibly sadness (as well as a huge hangover) looming over me as I boarded the helicopter to Seliebost. We had another massive party there before all heading off in different directions from Glasgow airport the following day. 
So here I am 25 years on. I was so lucky to be part of that project and owe so much, to so many people, not least Jeremy, Shahana, Chris, Cynthia, Andy, Mark and Lofty. Great memories, great times, great friends. Tragically we have already lost Trev, Hilary, Ray, Pat, Gordon and Colin. I often think that if I did that project now my outlook on situations and people would have been very different. I have travelled over the years to Glasgow, Devon, the Orkney Islands, Essex, Surrey and the Netherlands to see so many dear Castaway friends. I am still very much in touch with Cynthia, the Stephensons, the Praters, the Careys, The Corrigans, Julie, Toby and Ron. I wonder where we will all be in another 25 years! Click here to view the Castaway 2000 photo gallery! |
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