Ferg for The Inheritance / Channel 4
Age: 68
From: Kingston upon Thames
Occupation: Retired Market Trader
Why did you apply to take part?
“It’s something out of the norm. I’m 68, I’ve had a good life, and I’ve retired. I don’t want my retirement to be the pipe and slippers type. I do like to run and stuff like that, I’m not old, I’m very active and I wanted to do something completely different. I really love reality game shows. And every time my daughter says to me I should give it a go, I always rubbish it but here I am. I love adventure; swimming, climbing mountains or jumping out of helicopters – bring it all on.
“I don’t mind looking silly, but I wouldn’t want to hurt anybody to win a game. I want to have fun.”
What will you bring to the game?
“Not a lot! I think I’ll probably be the bloke who’s a little bit daft. I hopefully would like to bring a bit of humour, to bring us all together. I think I’d just like to show people that there’s somebody that’s a bit older who can still go out and do these types of things.”
Are you competitive?
“I’m not. I’m more competitive with myself, because being my age, there aren’t really a lot of people my age to be competitive against. That’s the case when I run for example. I do Parkrun and there are a few chaps there. I do that mostly through the winter. My grandson plays football, so I watch him play football, but soon as he stops, I go back to Parkrun again. I’ve done 300 and something Parkruns and I’ve won my age group twice.”
What would you spend the money on?
“I probably wouldn’t see a lot of it. It depends how much it is. My wife and I haven’t been on holiday for seven years. My dad lives with us now. He’s nearly 97. My mum passed just before the pandemic, and we haven’t been away or anything. My son’s got a mortgage, and I’d like to help him. My daughter’s 34 and still at home with her boyfriend so if I can give them something to put towards their money and give them a start, just something to help them. Personally, I don’t really need a lot. If I’ve got a nice pair of running shoes, then I’m happy.”
The Inheritance begins tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.
