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  "path": "/celebrity/itv-the-summit-viewers-fume-ben-shephard",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-11T22:34:51.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "BBC issues statement on tragic reason for switching Silent Witness episodes",
    "ITV Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans baffled as British Soap Awards cancelled for second time",
    "Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell shares heartbreaking update on broadcaster's health",
    "Mr Shephard was more complimentary.",
    "Shephard was more complimentary.",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nITV's new reality show The Summit has sparked a divided response from audiences following its premiere this week.\n\nThe adventure series, presented by This Morning's Ben Shephard, sees 14 strangers tasked with scaling one of New Zealand's most dramatic peaks in the South Island Alps.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nParticipants have a fortnight to reach the mountain's summit while vying for a share of £200,000 in prize money.\n\nThe format carries a distinctive twist: participants must physically carry the cash they hope to win throughout their journey.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Shephard, 51, characterised the programme as featuring \"fourteen ordinary people, trying to achieve something truly extraordinary.\"\n\nThe cast includes former Gladiator Ace, Gillian McKeith's daughter Afton, a social media influencer, and many others from various walks of life.\n\nThe opening episode on Tuesday drew swift criticism from viewers on social media, with many unimpressed the show's debut.\n\nOne disgruntled commenter likened the programme to \"Like Lord of the Rings but with annoying people\" on X.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOthers took aim at the contestants themselves, with one remarking: \"This is going to be like I'm A Celebrity up a mountain, already one saying he don't like heights.\"\n\nSeveral viewers dismissed the show outright. \"This is boring. Just wannabees climbing a mountain for no reason,\" wrote one, whilst another declared: \"Crikey this is s***te - all seems set up as well.\"\n\nThe early conflicts between participants also prompted criticism, with one viewer complaining: \"This is going to be enjoyable. NOT they are b****y arguing already.\"\n\n\"#TheSummit Yeah, I've lost interest, if that's how their going to make the contestants vote people off just to generate more drama, it's going to become annoying fast,\" another complained. (sic)\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * BBC issues statement on tragic reason for switching Silent Witness episodes\n  * ITV Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans baffled as British Soap Awards cancelled for second time\n  * Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell shares heartbreaking update on broadcaster's health\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDespite the wave of negativity, the programme did find its supporters. Some viewers expressed enthusiasm for the new competition series.\n\n\"Oh, this is going to be good!\" one eager fan posted.\n\nAnother shared: \"Only caught the last 10 minutes of #TheSummit and I love it already.\" (sic)\n\nSpeaking exclusively to GB News, Shephard offered intriguing insights into the series mechanics and hinted at dramatic moments to come.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe presenter revealed that one contestant makes a significant blunder involving the prize money.\n\n\"So when they get to a base camp and someone gets voted out, their money gets put into the cash bag that they've got to then carry up, as long as they remember to carry it,\" he explained.\n\nWhen pressed further, Mr Shephard teased: \"You would think you wouldn't forget it, considering there's tens of thousands of pounds in there, but I'm just going to leave that there...\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nRegarding contestant Afton McKeith, whom the show labelled \"a diva\", Mr Shephard was more complimentary. Shephard was more complimentary.\n\nHe described her as \"just so honestly herself and really unashamed about it\", adding that she remains unaware of \"just how histrionic and loud and opinionated she can sound, but also actually how brilliant she is in that sort of situation.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "ITV The Summit prompts divided reaction as viewers fume Ben Shephard series 'seems set up'"
}