[James]

28 November 2005
CHALLENGE HAS HUNK SHIVERING
Pictures Tony Nicoletti

BIG Brother winner Craig Phillips takes an icy plunge in a loch - on a tough marine trial.

The 34-year-old was put through his paces at Faslane naval base.

He had to chuck himself in freezing waters, fire a weapon and go on a milelong run with a 60lb rucksack. Liverpudlian Craig said: "I wasn't expecting an easy ride but was well up for it.

"When I was told what was going to happen I didn't realise how much stamina was required.

"It was harder and more painful than what I'd imagined."

The first BB winner was at the Dunbartonshire base to give the gym a makeover for a British Forces Broadcasting Services TV show.

Before even starting the building work, he joined five marines for what they called an "everyday task".

He boarded a speedboat for a rocky ride across Gare Loch to try a spot of Canadian-style kayaking.

Craig was teamed with physical training instructor Colour Sergeant Mark Waugh for the 1.5km paddle.

Thirty yards from shore, they jumped in the lake and swam to land.

Each man was then kitted with full battle gear and sent for the run, followed by some rifle shooting Craig said: "In the kayaks, my hands went so numb I thought I was going to drop the paddle.

"When I jumped in for the swim I had this awful split-second thought that the rest of the guys were just winding me up and wouldn't follow - but the run was the worst part."

Colour Sergeant Waugh said: "We were a bit cheeky. Poor Craig thought he was just coming up to do a TV show and we kind of sprung this on him.

"But fair play, he gave it his all

Daily Record