Survivor UK 2023 guide: winner, contestants, host and more (2024)

Survivor UK 2023 brought the global entertainment franchise back to British TV screens to liven up our weekends with some action-packed trials and some top-tier strategies from the contestants. And now a Sole Survivor has been crowned!

The Survivor format was created by Charlie Parsons decades ago and has gone on to become one of the biggest shows worldwide, with over 50 adaptations having aired so far.

Survivor previously had a short-lived UK outing in the early 2000s, but Remarkable Entertainment (a Banijay UK company) rebooted the format for a 16-part series.

Here's everything you need to know about Survivor UK 2023...

Survivor UK 2023: release date & how to watch

The Survivor UK 2023 premiered on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, October 28 at 8.25 pm, and has now come to an end.

The final episodes aired on Saturday, December 16, book-ending the final episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2023. The whole season is now available to stream on-demand on iPlayer.

And if you're looking for even more shows to enjoy, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best BBC dramas and best BBC comedies we think you should be streaming right now.

Who won Survivor UK 2023?

Matthew received four votes from the Survivor jury, meaning he was crowned to the Sole Survivor for Survivor UK 2023!

Speaking after her received his medal. Matthew said: "I've loved this experience. I think it's been the hardest thing but the best thing I've ever done.

"I had to do things that in the real world I maybe wouldn't do, like going against friends, going against people that are in your alliance. But I just tried to do anything I could to show them that I'm a worthy winner. And, I don't know, I'm speechless tonight and I'm never speechless. Where's the buffet? I need some food!"

Who hosted Survivor UK?

The Masked Singer UK frontman Joel Dommett was on hand to guide the castaway as through their Survivor UK journey.

Ahead of the show's debut, Dommett said of his role: "I'm aware of how much of a huge format it is around the world, it's probably one of the biggest and to be trusted with it is a huge compliment. I think it's really great, and hopefully long may it last, it feels like it's a really good time for it. I feel like there's a lot of shows that happened over the last 20 years that led us to this point and I feel like people are going to welcome it with open arms. Anyone who knows the Survivor format already will know they're in for an absolute treat, and if you don't then I’m confident you’re going to love it."

When he was first revealed as the host in February 2023, Joel Dommet said: "I'm the new host of the UK's Survivor! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! A huge thank you to the BBC for trusting me with this. It's such a hugely popular format all over the world and I'm super excited to help bring it to our sweet little country. Let the tribal councils BEGIN!"

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment for the BBC, said of him: "Having Joel on board is brilliant! With his natural comedic charm we are thrilled that he is going to be on hand guiding, encouraging and challenging our contestants as they all try to be the sole survivor!"

How does Survivor work?

The Survivor reboot saw a group of contestants people from all walks of life being marooned in a remote location. There, they'll be forced to try and outlast one another in a daring, strategic game.

The BBC summary for Survivor UK 2023 read: "Hosted by Joel Dommett, this brand new series of the ultimate physical and psychological game promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Sole Survivor.

18 people, carefully selected from across the UK, are marooned in a tropical location where they are divided into two tribes, competing against each other in a range of physical and mental challenges for reward or immunity.

One by one, players are voted out of their tribes at the iconic Tribal Council until the two tribes eventually merge and the game becomes a head-to-head battle. Ultimately only one person can triumph, winning the cash prize of £100,000 and the title of Sole Survivor."

Survivor UK 2023 contestants: who took part

The Survivor UK 2023 contestants were revealed on October 14. Here's a little bit of info about each of our competitors who were put to the test in the BBC reboot.

Asked whether he felt having a mix of survivors from all walks of life mattered to him, Joel Dommett said: "Yeah, I think it's really important. And also without phones, without communication, they're just there surviving which is fascinating to watch. It was amazing and, I think, completely life-changing for everyone that was in there. I mean it was life-changing for me, let alone the people who were torn away from their homes for seven weeks. I think once you've done something like Survivor, you'll never forget it."

Is there a Survivor UK 2023 trailer?

The full Survivor UK 2023 trailer arrived when our contestants were revealed, and it gives us a sneak peek at everything that our survivors would face when they take on this brutal challenge.

The first teaser for Survivor UK was shown on Saturday, July 15 during the Women's Wimbledon 2023 Final on BBC One. It was subsequently shared on BBC social channels, and you can check it out below.

Where was Survivor UK 2023 filmed?

Filming for Survivor 2023 took place in the Dominican Republic earlier in 2023.