Rob Beckett is to host BBC One’s new format Unbreakable, in which six celebrity couples are put through ‘mental, physical and emotional challenges’ to test their relationships.

And among those taking part are fellow comedian Stephen Bailey, 35, and his boyfriend, 37-year-old employment lawyer Rich Taylor, who met via a dating app.

The other contestants are  Loose Women star Denise Welch, 64 and her artist husband Lincoln Townley, 49; Pimlico Plumber tycoon Charlie Mullins, 69 and singer-songwriter RaRa, 32; Falklands veteran  Simon Weston, 61, and his wife  of 35-years Lucy; BMX racer and track cyclist Shanaze Reade, 33, and event organiser Teddy Edwardes, 32; and Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas, 61, and West End star Danny Taylor, 48.

Beckett said: ‘Who doesn’t like to see celebrities and their real life partners put to the test under pressure? 

‘It was an amazing experience to film, and I'll never be able to un-see Shirley Ballas get a tattoo, Denise Welch fall into a lake, or Simon Weston blindfold his wife in a maze.’

The couples will be studied by relationship expert Anjula Mutanda and comedian turned agony aunt Maria McErlane, who will encourage them to open up about life, love and relationships

The BBC says the six-part series, which airs this autumn, will show ‘an intimate new side to some of the UK’s favourite TV personalities’ as it tests their values of trust, honesty, understanding, patience and communication.

Made by: 110% Content
Commissioned by: Catherine Catton, the BBC’s head of commissioning, factual entertainment and events Commissioning editor: Michael Jochnowitz
Executive producers: Anna Dunkley and Jonny Lusk