Joey Essex "nearly died" during rehearsals for his dangerous underwater stunt.
Joey Essex
The 28-year-old star is risking his life on Wednesday night (31.10.18) when he teams up with magician Ben Hanlin to perform an escapology challenge, and it has proven tough to train for.
During a joint appearance on ITV's 'This Morning', Joey said: "I nearly died yesterday. The water went up too quickly, I couldn't get out."
The stunt will see the chained duo trying to escape from a tank filling up with water while they are shackled to the floor.
In an added twist, Ben will already be underwater and will rely on Joey to pick his lock and free him.
The former 'TOWIE star' added: "I'm trying to take every hour as it comes. As we're coming up to the stunt I'm trying harder.
"I'm massively claustrophobic. I don't like baths or swimming, I don't like being underwater, never have.
"I've always liked to overcome my fears, mind over matter.
"Like in the jungle [for 'I'm A Celebrity'], all those things are difficult, you just come out the other side stronger. This is a huge thing and if it does go well I'll be really happy with myself."
Ben has described the stunt with Joey - who once said he thought escapology was "something to do with saying sorry" - as the "most dangerous" thing he's ever attempted.
He said: "I've always wanted to do a big live stunt. I'm not going to lie, it's definitely the most dangerous thing I've ever done, and if it does go wrong there is nowhere to hide as it's live."
Ben Hanlin's 'Live & Deadly: Drowned' airs on October 31 at 9pm on ITV2.
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