We caught up with TV presenter Bláthnaid Treacy and former Miss Ireland Pamela Uba to discuss their week in hell. Watch back the video above.
Ultimate Hell Week – The professionals will see a ragtag group of sporting legends, TV stars, singers and comedians taken way out of their comfort zone as they attempt to pass a condensed version of Special Forces selection.
Twenty familiar faces make up this year's recruits: David Gillick, Fiona O' Caroll, Peter Finn, Billy Holland, Luke Thomas, Aisling Daly, Setanta O’ hAilpin, Oisin Murphy, Johnny Ward, Blathnaid Treacy, Pamela Uba, Eric Donovan, Paul Ryder, Eoin Cadogan, Rebecccah O’Rourke, Boidu Sayeh, Fergus McFadden, Tadhg Fleming, Ciara Griffin and Michael McKiliop.
Over six days, the celebrity recruits were required to pass numerous rigorous physical and mental tests. Surviving on two to three hours of sleep a night they will have to overcome cold-water events, height tests and claustrophobic challenges as well as various trials of strength, stamina and determination.
Speaking at RTÉ's new season launch, Bláthnaid and Pamela paused when asked why they would sign up to such a thing, still not seeming entirely sure themselves:
"I've never done anything like this before," says Bláthnaid. "You're totally out of your comfort zone, you're doing something that you'll never get the opportunity or the chance to do ever again either, and you're put in with a group of people that you wouldn't get to cross paths with."
"I can say the same thing for myself," agrees Pamela. "I think I got inspiration from last season's professionals, and I was like, 'if Laura [Nolan] and Niamh [Cullen] can do it, do yo know why not?'"
"Now, I think I'm insane trying to do it", she adds, laughing, "but it was one of the most exhilarating, terrifying amazing experiences of my entire life. Being there, being vulnerable with everyone and going through it as a team, honestly, you guys are in for such a show."
The week was so intense, in fact, that they were jumping out of their skin for weeks after. After six days and nights of being on high alert, surviving adrenaline-inducing situations and having to remember so many new rules, going home to relax on the couch wasn't a possibility.
"I was having sweats and nightmares for, I think, a month after," explains Pamela.
"We have a WhatsApp group and we were all kind of checking in on each other the whole time," adds Bláthnaid, "but I actually honestly think it was about a month of just sort of 'did that actually happen'. And your body is battered and bruised, so it took me about a month when you come back down from it."
With their bruises fully healed and the anticipation for the show's launch building, the two women reflected on the biggest takeaway that they took from the once in a lifetime experience:
"What I wasn't expecting was to really get on with so many diverse people," says Pamela. "The lads, the football lads, everything. They were so, so kind and so nice to you, and even our group hugs and helping you. I don't want to even give spoilers but I know they helped me a lot through it."
"It was the team effort," agrees Bláthnaid. "Everyone was looking out for each other, and that was incredible. These are complete strangers."
Ultimate Hell Week: The Professionals kicks off on RTÉ One on Wednesday 7th September at 9.35pm.
