Shazia Mirza confined to solitary for new reality show

Shazia Mirza has been locked in solitary confinement for several days for a new Channel 5 reality show.

The comedian was challenged to spend five days living alone in a sealed shipping container on the outskirts of Belfast for Celebs In Solitary, which follows the success of a similar show featuring members of the public last year.

Also taking part were musician Professor Green, TV presenter Anthea Turner and the World’s Strongest Man, Eddie Hall. All sacrificed their phones and contact with the outside world – they are not even allowed to know the time – but were allowed three ‘luxury’ items to help them cope.

Mirza chose a writing book and pen, a globe, and a yoga mat. Before entering the cell, she presumed it would be ‘like a holiday in a box,’ but on entering she realised: ‘It’s a prison.’

Her plan was to spend the time working on her writing, planning a book, a sitcom, TV pitches and stand-up material, saying: ‘I want to see how productive I can be.’

George Lamb returns as the presenter and is joined by psychiatrist Dr Sandra Scott to explain the experiences and coping mechanisms on display as each occupant struggles with the psychological demands of being totally alone.  

She can also withdraw the contestants if they are showing signs of too much stress, while the celebrities themselves can press a panic button to end the experiment. Not all those taking part made it to the end of the five days.

The show launches on Channel 5 on September 11.

Published: 3 Sep 2018