Ben Fogle: Inside Chernobyl: Channel 5 Documentary Drops On Wednesday

Ben Fogle's new documentary on the Chernobyl disaster airs on Channel 5 on Wednesday.

The TV presenter is set to explore the site of the nuclear accident - which took place in 1986, and has since been the subject of a highly-popular Sky Atlantic drama - in the 90-minute TV doc, named Ben Fogle: Inside Chernobyl.

It will show what happened when he spent a week living inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (aka the area immediately surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant) 35 years on from the disaster.

You can check out the trailer for the doc here:

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant suffered a huge explosion back on 26th April 1986, and as a result of the disaster, radioactive material was released across Belarus, Russia and Ukraine - and even as far as western Europe.

And incredibly, cameras for the doc were granted access into the plant itself - including inside Control Room 4, where the events unfolded - as well as the deserted towns and forests in surrounding areas.

Here's a clip of Ben visiting a hospital which was evacuated after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Due to radiation safety restrictions, Ben was been told was only to spend five minutes inside the control room while filming.

During the special, Ben will also be seen visiting the remains of Hospital 126, as well as meeting with a police officer who was on duty the night of the disaster, and witnessed the explosion.

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Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes following the incident, and during the new film, Ben also meets the 'Self Settlers', who returned home following the evacuation.

Here's a clip of Ben meeting Valentina, who moved back to Chernobyl shortly after the disaster.

Speaking about the documentary, Ben wrote on Instagram: "With unprecedented access, I explore the hope after the meltdown. Meeting the people who returned both legally and illegally to live off grid in the vast exclusion zone.

"And following the wildlife that has returned to this once toxic landscape. As the world recoils from the pandemic and climate change, what lessons of hope can we learn from the aftermath of the 1986 disaster that threatened the world?

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"Getting inside the reactor and even into Control Room Number 4, I will meet the thousands of workers who still work at the plant to contain the fallout.

"I explore the legacy of Chernobyl as Ukraine seek UNESCO world Heritage status for its unique historical relevance."

Ben Fogle: Inside Chernobyl airs on Wednesday 3rd March, at 9pm on Channel 5.

Topics: TV News, TV Entertainment, Chernobyl, Channel 5

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

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