Latest news with #Aleks
Daily Mirror
4 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Model ditches her life for the African desert after being robbed at gunpoint
When young model Aleks was mugged by thugs and held up at gunpoint, she made a massive life change that very same night. She would spin the globe and move to wherever it landed... It was a moment that Aleks will never forget - and one that changed the course of her entire life. As a actor and model living in New York, she was walking home late at night from a film set, when she was suddenly attacked. A man pushed a gun up against her forehead. Fortunately, when they realised she didn't have anything valuable, they shouted 'Move!' and ran off. Aleks took this harrowing ordeal as a literal instruction. She would move. Two weeks later she was on a plane to Namibia - she was only actually planning to stay for a couple of weeks, but was offered a job and stayed for 13 years. Now she is living as a conservationist in the harsh environment of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, where her nearest neighbours are lions, leopards and cheetah. Aleks Orbeck Nilssen, now 34, tells her incredible story to adventurer Ben Fogle, in a brand new series of New Lives In The Wild, which starts tonight (Aug 14) on Channel 5 at 9pm. The people Ben Fogle meets in the series have moved to some of the most remote locations on Earth. Are they daring or just downright crazy? It's a question Ben has asked himself many times, but he's always happy to make the epic journey to check it out. In the episode, he travels over 8,250km to Maun in Botswana, before driving east for a further five hours to meet Norwegian conservationist, model and bush guide Aleks. She has moved to the Kalahari Desert and set up a 'Wisdom Academy' for indigenous people, but life is tough. 'The Kalahari kind of hates you,' she laughs. Ben is overwhelmed to be greeted by an entire community of local bush people, then further surprised to see a luxurious tourist camp nearby, run by Aleks's husband Ralph. It's a tale of two worlds. Ben finds out how Aleks was a model in her teens, having been scouted at the age of 13, then when she was 18 volunteered at an animal sanctuary in Namibia. She is now in Botswana because she got married. But she insists: 'I've got a job to do on this planet and I'm on a mission and that doesn't stop just because I fall in love.' Aleks recalls: 'As a young model I travelled the world in a very short time. I didn't realise it would be so lonely, I was extremely unhappy.' So she moved to New York. Aleks says: 'I was walking home from a film set late at night. I heard these catcalls, which is quite common in New york so I just carried on walking. "Then they grabbed me and wanted to get money from me. While I am digging through my bag looking for something I suddenly feel something kiss my forehead." She continues: "That was a gun and so I was held at gunpoint. I went from having so much control, then this moment someone takes away all these control. When they realised I didn't have anything, they just said 'Move' and left. I went back to my flat and didn't really know what to do. I felt like it was a universal bitch slap. And the fact that he said move, it felt like an instruction." She adds: 'I said to myself I'm going to spin the globe and if my finger lands in the ocean I'll go on a gap year. And if it lands on Norway I can spin again. And if it lands on a country I'll go there, unless there's a civil war. And it was Namibia. "Two weeks later I was on the plane. I had a weird feeling like roots were growing out of my feet. When I arrived it was like 'I'm home, but I don't know why'. I was offered a job so I took a bold leap and went all in. "I met the tribe that I have now been working with for 14 years and realised I had to work with them. They've completely saved me, transformed me. They've brought nature to life around me. Could you get a better gift than that?' Ben says: 'I've always loved this idea that some of us weren't necessarily born where we feel we belong. That's what people spend their life searching for and if you're one of the lucky ones, like Aleks, you find it. She's had beauty, money, travel, glitz and glamour, but none of them brought her the happiness that she has finally found here in the desert.' *Ben Fogle: New Lives In The Wild starts tonight (Aug 14) on Channel 5 at 9pm
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Fogle promises 'moving' New Lives in the Wild series
What you need to know about the latest series of Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild Ben Fogle has said the latest series of New Lives in the Wild is "unique and moving". The popular Channel 5 show is returning to TV on Thursday at 9pm after New Lives in the Wild aired earlier this year, with Fogle previously telling Yahoo UK to "prepare to be moved to tears." New Lives in the Wild tells the extraordinary stories of those courageous individuals who have quit their "normal" jobs to chase their dreams of living in the remote wilderness. Fogle said there are some "unique" stories in this upcoming series. There's Aleks, a Norwegian model who found happiness in Botswana. Yidan invited Fogle to see his simple life in Thailand after he left China. Then there's Rupert, who quit Yorkshire to transform his life and become a rice farmer in Japan. "It often takes years to organise [filming for New Lives in the Wild]," Fogle revealed on Instagram. Why Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild is so popular New Lives in the Wild has two fresh, shorter, series this year and it has been on TV since 2013. The presenter explained the secret to what makes the show so "enduring". Fogle wrote on Instagram: "New Lives in the Wild has such a rich variety of characters and locations. I have filmed nearly 150 over the last 13 years. In that time I have met homeless folk, preppers, hunters, communities and hermits. From the family that gave away their million pound wealth and moved to the desert of North Africa to penniless nomads. "I have met couples who bought plots of land for a few thousand euros to the moneyless man in Ireland. There are a mix of fortunes both financial, aesthetic and social. I suppose that is what makes the programme so unique and enduring. Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild (Channel 5) Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild series finishes on Tuesday with a trip to a poo expert. (Channel 5) "There are some people with whom each of us can relate on some level. The assumption and presumption that everyone is privileged is shortsighted and…….. presumptuous. The privilege comes not from where they came from but where and what they have found. "They are individuals who have chased their dreams and made it their own." What we know about Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild series 20 New Lives in the Wild has a lot of lessons for its viewers; Fogle said the show covers mental wellbeing, bereavement, insecurity, anxiety, sexual abuse, non-conformity, stereotype, PTSD, eco anxiety, poverty, financial insecurity, escape and redemption. Fogle's first adventure this series will see him travel to the African continent, Botswana where he will meet with a Norwegian model living in the desert. While there, Aleks introduces him to her adopted family, the Ju'/hoansi people, who have lived in Africa for hundreds of thousands of years. Fogle has come into her life at a time of change as Aleks has married the owner of a nearby safari camp. New Lives in the Wild has been moved to Thursday night slots but previously the programme has always aired on Tuesdays. Ben Fogle hits back at trolling New Lives in the Wild puts a spotlight on people who have chosen to go down a different path and live off-grid. However, the Castaway star shared he has to "block and delete a lot of angry comments" about the young women contributors on social media. Going forward Fogle has one request for this new series — that everyone doesn't judge and comes to the stories of the individuals with an open heart. He wrote on Instagram: "Young women who feature on my series always bare the brunt of online trollery. I have always tried not to judge a book by its cover. If ask you to do the same until you have heard the story." Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild airs at 9pm on Channel 5 on Thursday.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
White tiger saved from war zone to get new home
Officials at a wildlife park say they are hopeful a refugee white tiger will arrive before the school summer holidays after DHL stepped in to deliver it. Lincolnshire Wildlife Park said the tiger, called Aleks, was found abandoned by medics and army volunteers in Ukraine last year and was dehydrated, infested with parasites and exhausted. After receiving medical treatment, he is now waiting to be delivered to his new home at the park near Boston. Steve Nichols, the park's chief executive, said: "I hope someone is in to sign for him. If they take a delivery picture and leave him near our bins it might give the neighbours a shock." The charity said it was first asked to rehome the tiger about six months ago and staff were "buzzing" for the arrival of the "special animal". "When they found him in the war zone, they thought he was dead. He's just been left and couldn't walk or eat. Now he's pulled through and is coming here," Mr Nichols said. "It's going to be something really special for us and for the park. He'll be the first white tiger to go on show to the public in Lincolnshire. We're just so excited to see him." In preparation for the tiger's arrival, the park launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the £100,000 cost of building a new enclosure. The park, which is already home to three Bengal tigers, is planning to create a new medical ward, swimming pool, play frame and enclosure. Mr Nichols added: "It's even going to have underfloor heating. It's going to be proper posh but these animals deserve it." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Sanctuary sees influx of 'difficult' parrots Wildlife park's star three-legged puma dies Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Third annual Tom Parker charity football match takes place at Bromley FC
The Tom Parker charity football match held at Bromley FC has raised funds for a brain tumour awareness charity. The third annual Tom Parker celebrity charity football match took place at Bromley FC on Saturday, May 11. The event was in aid of 'Ahead of The Game', the brain tumour awareness charity founded by Dave Bolton. Aleks leads players onto the pitch, inspiring all in attendance (Image: Ahead of The Game) Kelsey Parker, who is expecting her third child, welcomed a number of celebrities who participated in the event. Some of the stars included Scott Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Finley Tapp, Ronnie Vint, Dan Osborne, Alex Bain, Jaden Ladega, and Juhaim Choudhury. Team Parker, managed by boxing legend Derek Chisora, faced off against Team Grove Gallery, managed by Big John Fisher. The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Team Parker. The day was made even more special by the presence of The Wanted's Siva Kaneswaran, who was there to honour the legacy of his late bandmate Tom Parker. The event was not just about football, as there were also bouncy castles, face painting, hair braiding, and ice cream vans for families to enjoy. The highlight of the day was the story of Aleks, a young boy and football fan diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Aleks was diagnosed after a minor accident at a soft play centre. He is currently receiving treatment at The Royal Marsden. Aleks was honoured as the mascot for the day, walking out proudly alongside Andy Johnson, former Crystal Palace and England striker, and Dave Bolton, the event's founder and a long-term brain tumour survivor. Although Aleks had to leave before the end of the game, Andy Johnson personally drove to visit him and gifted him his brand-new football boots, promising a future kick-about with some of his footballing friends. An event spokesperson said: "If we can raise money, raise awareness, and put smiles on the faces of children like Aleks, then it's a charity day Bromley will never forget." The event was attended by a number of celebrities, including Scott Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Finley Tapp, Ronnie Vint, Dan Osborne, Alex Bain, Jaden Ladega, and Juhaim Choudhury.
