Latest news with #NewLivesInTheWild
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
New Life In The Wild star ditched modelling career and life in New York after gun was held to her head in street robbery
It comes as the fresh series of the Channel 5 series kicks off all change New Life In The Wild star ditched modelling career and life in New York after gun was held to her head in street robbery A LIFE In The Wild star ditched her high-flying modelling career for a life in the Botswana desert after being robbed at gunpoint. The Norwegian-born catwalk queen now works as a conservationist, model and bush guide after a huge lifestyle overhaul. 6 Model Aleksandra Orbeck Nilssen will detail her harrowing armed robbery ordeal in the new series of Life In The Wild 6 The catwalk queen swapped her New York career for a life of conservation in Botswana Credit: Instagram 6 She has set up a Wisdom Academy for the community in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana Credit: Channel 5 Aleksandra Orbeck Nilssen's emotional story will feature on the new series of Ben Fogle's Channel 5 series, which was confirmed last September. The TV presenter and adventurer has been at the helm of the show since it launched in 2013. Now in the latest instalment, Ben, 51, travelled to Maun in Botswana before driving for five hours to meet Aleks and husband Ralph Bousfield. Her journey to Botswana, via Namibia, came after she suffered a shocking attack while walking home from a film set in the Big Apple. She told the show of feeling "lonely" before her move to NYC yet, addressing the attack, she bravely said: "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. "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. Ben Fogle reveals eccentric star of his New Lives In The Wild show has died "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 b***h slap. "And the fact that he said move, it felt like an instruction." Ben Fogle's career to date 2000 - Launched his TV career appearing as a contestant on Castaway 2001 - Became a co-presenter of Countryfile, hosting on and off before leaving for good in 2018 2001 - Joined the BBC's Animal Park 2002 - Presented One Man and His Dog 2003 - Hosted Big Screen Britain 2003 - Fronted Death by Pets 2005 - Hosted Animal Park's special Wild in Africa series 2006 - Joined Channel 4's coverage of Crufts for two years 2007 - Presenter another Animal Park special, Wild on the West Coast 2009 - Hosted Country Tracks for BBC Two 2013 - Launched his Channel 5 series New Lives in the Wild 2013 - Became the host of Countrywise on ITV1 for three years 2024 - Fronted Into the Congo for Channel 5 Talking their words literally, she upped sticks to Namibia - where she was offered a job for 13 years. Addressing the way she made the change she said: '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." Now she has moved to the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. Her surroundings in the sandy savanna in Southern Africa, are surrounded by lions and leopards. Yet, in the midst of the animals, Aleks has forged strong relations with the indigenous community, setting up a Wisdom Academy for the community. Meanwhile, her husband has created a luxury tourist camp nearby. Aleks addressed the tough conditions to live and work in and said: "The Kalahari kind of hates you." Yet she is intent on her mission and added: "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. "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?" OFF SCREEN STRUGGLE The fresh series comes after Ben revealed how he had a 'secret breakdown' last year causing him to burn out. In an emotional update to fans, he explained: "A year ago I suffered a mental health wobble. "An episode. A storm. A blip." "I don't know if there is a specific term for it but it was basically a burnt out, break down. "I've been on quite a journey since I've learnt a lot about my neurological uniquenesses. And I've navigated the storm." A Life In The Wild starts tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm. 6 A gun was held to Aleks' head during her horror ordeal Credit: Instagram 6 Her husband Ralph Bousfield has set up a luxury travel camp nearby Credit: Instagram
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New Life In The Wild star ditched modelling career and life in New York after gun was held to her head in street robbery
It comes as the fresh series of the Channel 5 series kicks off all change New Life In The Wild star ditched modelling career and life in New York after gun was held to her head in street robbery Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LIFE In The Wild star ditched her high-flying modelling career for a life in the Botswana desert after being robbed at gunpoint. The Norwegian-born catwalk queen now works as a conservationist, model and bush guide after a huge lifestyle overhaul. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Model Aleksandra Orbeck Nilssen will detail her harrowing armed robbery ordeal in the new series of Life In The Wild 6 The catwalk queen swapped her New York career for a life of conservation in Botswana Credit: Instagram 6 She has set up a Wisdom Academy for the community in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana Credit: Channel 5 Aleksandra Orbeck Nilssen's emotional story will feature on the new series of Ben Fogle's Channel 5 series, which was confirmed last September. The TV presenter and adventurer has been at the helm of the show since it launched in 2013. Now in the latest instalment, Ben, 51, travelled to Maun in Botswana before driving for five hours to meet Aleks and husband Ralph Bousfield. Her journey to Botswana, via Namibia, came after she suffered a shocking attack while walking home from a film set in the Big Apple. She told the show of feeling "lonely" before her move to NYC yet, addressing the attack, she bravely said: "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. "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. Ben Fogle reveals eccentric star of his New Lives In The Wild show has died "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 b***h slap. "And the fact that he said move, it felt like an instruction." Ben Fogle's career to date 2000 - Launched his TV career appearing as a contestant on Castaway 2001 - Became a co-presenter of Countryfile, hosting on and off before leaving for good in 2018 2001 - Joined the BBC's Animal Park 2002 - Presented One Man and His Dog 2003 - Hosted Big Screen Britain 2003 - Fronted Death by Pets 2005 - Hosted Animal Park's special Wild in Africa series 2006 - Joined Channel 4's coverage of Crufts for two years 2007 - Presenter another Animal Park special, Wild on the West Coast 2009 - Hosted Country Tracks for BBC Two 2013 - Launched his Channel 5 series New Lives in the Wild 2013 - Became the host of Countrywise on ITV1 for three years 2024 - Fronted Into the Congo for Channel 5 Talking their words literally, she upped sticks to Namibia - where she was offered a job for 13 years. Addressing the way she made the change she said: '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." Now she has moved to the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. Her surroundings in the sandy savanna in Southern Africa, are surrounded by lions and leopards. Yet, in the midst of the animals, Aleks has forged strong relations with the indigenous community, setting up a Wisdom Academy for the community. Meanwhile, her husband has created a luxury tourist camp nearby. Aleks addressed the tough conditions to live and work in and said: "The Kalahari kind of hates you." Yet she is intent on her mission and added: "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. "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?" OFF SCREEN STRUGGLE The fresh series comes after Ben revealed how he had a 'secret breakdown' last year causing him to burn out. In an emotional update to fans, he explained: "A year ago I suffered a mental health wobble. "An episode. A storm. A blip." "I don't know if there is a specific term for it but it was basically a burnt out, break down. "I've been on quite a journey since I've learnt a lot about my neurological uniquenesses. And I've navigated the storm." A Life In The Wild starts tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm. 6 A gun was held to Aleks' head during her horror ordeal Credit: Instagram 6 Her husband Ralph Bousfield has set up a luxury travel camp nearby Credit: Instagram
Daily Mirror
5 days 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
6 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
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Fogle mourns death of New Lives in the Wild star who ‘found happiness after losing millions'
Ben Fogle has paid tribute to New Lives in the Wild contributor David Glasheen, who has died aged 81. The former stockbroker was featured on Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild in 2013 after he lost his millions in the stock exchange crash. Dubbed the "Millionaire Castaway", Glasheen moved to the remote Restoration Island off the coast of Australia in 1997, where he later hosted Fogle. A real-life Robinson Crusoe, he lived there with only wild dog Quassi for company. Quassi reportedly died of a snake bite in 2016 and he found another wild dog Polly who died in 2018. "Dave found true happiness when he lost his millions and reconnected with nature," Fogle wrote in a message on Instagram. "Rest in Peace Dave." The 51-year-old journalist remembered his "one of a kind" friend. Fogle shared some fun photographs of their time in the wild, including when they enjoyed a beach beer. "So sad to hear that Dave Glasheen has passed away," he wrote on Instagram. "He was one of the first Wildmen I visited for New Lives in the Wild." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ben Fogle (@benfogle) He added: "He lived alone on Restoration Island in North Eastern Australia with just his beloved dog/dingo cross, Quassi for company. "Dave had lost his multi million dollar fortune overnight and on a whim moved to remote Restoration island where he finally found happiness in tranquility and isolation. He really was one of a kind and I feel so fortunate to have met him a few times and spent time with him on his little Australian paradise. "It saddens me that so many of the folk I have met over the years are passing away but it is also a reminder of the value and preciousness of life. Make the most of this short time we have. Dave was 81 and lived the richest life I know." Fogle's meeting with Glasheen was memorable, and many New Lives in the Wild viewers shared their condolences in the comments. "Oh he was fabulous..i remember that show. Sorry to hear this he really lived his life didnt way he wanted," one person wrote. Another added: "He passed as one of the richest men alive. We could all be more like Dave. RIP." Someone else said: "I loved his story. What a fascinating man and life xx." Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild series finishes on Tuesday with a trip to a poo expert. (Channel 5) TV star Fogle travels worldwide to meet the brave people choosing to live a different life in nature, off-grid. He always forges close bonds with the people he visits on his popular Channel 5 series New Lives in the Wild. Those relationships made are for life, and the journalist often films revisits for the series, too. Fogle revisited Glasheen for the 2017 series of New Lives in the Wild. "I stay in touch with everyone," Fogle told Yahoo UK in 2024 of those relationships. "They become real friends. It is an intense friendship formed in a very short time."
