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tough loss
Channel 4 star reveals tragic death of mentor while filming ‘dangerous’ exploration show
The star revealed how the loss of their friend impacted the gruelling journey
A CHANNEL 4 star has opened up about the tragic death of a dear mentor while making a 'dangerous' exploration show.
The documentary began airing on viewers' screens from October 7.
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Explorer Lucy Shepherd fronts new series Secret Amazon: Into the Wild.
It follows Lucy and an Indigenous team as they embark on an unprecedented Amazon expedition.
Their journey sees them cross jungle territory while facing extreme danger.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, Lucy discussed losing a mentor who inspired the expedition.
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She shared: ";It was mammoth to plan and just a few months in my mentor, Ian Craddock, he suddenly died.
"And he was a good friend of my team's as well.
"It was like, well, is it even more foolish to continue on doing this or should we do it in his name?
"Then Anders, a good friend who also was friends with him, like came on board.
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"It was like his first massive project to be, you know, on the sidelines, organising the resupplies and stuff.
"And yeah, it all came together like that. So it was a big, big project in the making."
Exploration has been a long-term passion for Lucy - one spanning back to an early age.
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Previously, Lucy applied and qualified to be part of an expedition with the British Exploration Society.
She joined a team of 10 for a 10 week Arctic expedition to Svalbard.
Meanwhile, this first expedition took place in 2011, when she was 18 years old.
Lucy Shepherd's career so far
Lucy Shepherd is a British explorer with over a decade of experience under her belt.
Her first expedition took place in 2011, aged 18. She had successfully applied and qualified for a 10-week Arctic expedition with the British Exploration Society.
Becoming part of a team of 10, they travelled to Svalbard.
More recently, she took on an unprecedented Amazon expedition, accompanied by a team of four Indigenous men.
Their journey saw the group cross jungle territory while being in the face of danger.
Writing for she explained: "As a child, I was happiest when I was outside.
"I was given a long leash by my parents, which allowed me to roam the fields around the house. I would hear adults describe me as ‘adventurous’ and I liked that.
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"It began to become my identity, but never did I think that I could become a real life explorer."
Secret Amazon: Into the Wild is now streaming on Channel 4
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