Ananova April 30,2001

Soap star Claire insured for £20 million for new TV role

 

Claire Sweeney is to take over from Davina McCall on a new version of Don't Try This At Home.

The Brookside actress has been insured for £20 million for her new role.

Claire has been given two months off from the soap to film the new 12-part series called Challenge of a Lifetime.

The new show was announced at the Montreux Television Festival in Switzerland.

It will be filmed in exotic locations around the world, according to the Daily Record.

Claire says she is ready to have a go at daring challenges including paragliding, wing-walking and bungee-jumping if contestants are too scared

She said: "I don't really know what my phobias are but I hate maggots and earthworms. So far, the scariest thing I've ever been asked to do was running through some flaming boxes on Brookside."

LWT entertainment boss Bob Massie says Claire is being insured for £20 million because of the potentially dangerous stunts she might have to perform.

He said: "We're delighted to have signed Claire. Everyone loves her. She's got bags of personality and loads of charisma which makes her the perfect choice."

Challenge of a Lifetime will be show on ITV in the autumn.