Bear Grylls

Age: 30

Occupation: Writer and mountaineer

What made you join the Legion?
Channel 4 asked me to come up with an idea for a new series. I chose a series about the Foreign Legion because I have always been fascinated by its mystique, ever since reading Beau Geste as a child.

What was good about the experience?
The real bonds of friendship that developed between some of the recruits. I genuinely hadn’t expected to make proper friends, but ended up meeting some lovely, gorgeous people.

What was bad about the experience?
It was physically and mentally exhausting. I hadn’t expected it to be so tough, having spent several years in the SAS. Nobody shouted at you in the SAS – this was far worse.

What did you learn from the experience?
It reinforced a lot of lessons I had learnt in the army and while out on various expeditions. I learnt how much we need other people and how OK it is to be intimate with others and display vulnerability in front of others.

Any regrets?
No.

What would you do differently?
I wouldn’t do it again. It was a very high risk for me, for a number of reasons and I feel that I put myself on the line, both physically and mentally. Sometimes, though, you have to go out on a limb.

What do you think of the Legion's approach to team-building?
I hated it. I hate the whole approach of breaking people down to build them back up. It might make sense in the Legion, where they’re a bunch of reprobates, but the approach I experienced in the British Army was totally different.

Any advice for anyone thinking of joining the Legion?
Don’t do it – however miserable your life might seem.

Did you get a sense of achievement from taking part and has it lasted?
Massively – I’m genuinely proud of the achievement and feel that the right people made it through to the end of the challenge.

Bobby Abedeen >