The secret is out - virtually unknown Capetonian
Mark Bayly has been revealed as the host of M-Net's
Survivor South Africa: Panama.
Described as an "action man" by the channel, the announcement of Bayly (35) finally puts to rest the wild fan speculation that has abounded since the series was first announced, which linked names like
Gareth Tjasink,
Colin Moss and
Ferdinand Rabie to the job.
According to Carl Fischer, the head of M-Net's Original Productions, the channel wanted someone who fits the Survivor brand and Bayly was the perfect choice.
"Our mission was to look for someone without any strong association with an existing television programme; possibly a new face that would fit into the Survivor programme's profile," he said in a media statement.
"We were thrilled when Mark turned up to audition. He is an intelligent action man, he looks the part and he has an incredible screen presence."
The crew and contestants have already returned home from Panama, where five other productions of Survivor were being filmed from around the world - at the same time.
M-Net managed to keep strict control of the identities of the various players involved in the production and to their credit nobody was able to upstage their announcement.
"It is always risky to introduce a new presenter, but we have an excellent track record in this regard," said Marie Rosholt, Head of Entertainment and Infotainment at Endemol SA, the production company behind Survivor SA.
"Mark joins Colin Moss and Mark Pilgrim as brand new television presenters we introduced to the small screen, and I have no doubt that he will also be hugely popular."
He'd better be - South African Survivor fans are fanatical when it comes to the presentation of the show, and Jeff Probst has some mighty big boots Bayly will have to fill.
According to Bayly he studied Probst before leaving for Panama, but said he wants to bring his own style to the production.
"I can learn from him, but it's important to project my own personality. Otherwise it would come across as phoney and unbelievable," he said.
Bayly actually auditioned to be a contestant but landed the job of presenter instead. And fans of Survivor will be gratified to know that Bayly is a huge fan himself and says it is a dream come true to present the show.
"I still can't believe I got it. Am I dreaming or what? I love Survivor; I've watched every episode of every series screened in South Africa."
Bayly reckons South African fans are in for a serious treat when the show airs.
"It was much tougher than anyone expected," he said of the filming experience.
"When I heard about Survivor South Africa, I was keen to take part as a contestant. I have to admit: I'm thrilled that I ended up as presenter instead. It was incredibly harsh for them. Viewers are in for one heck of a treat."
Survivor South Africa: Panama premieres on M-Net at 18h00 on 3 September.
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Related LinksActor Profile: Mark BaylyShow Page: Survivor South Africa: Panama