Dangerous discovery shuts down Seven's expensive new reality show

Channel Seven has suffered a massive blow after asbestos was found on the set of their new reality show Million Dollar Island.

TV Tonight reports that the competition reality show was quickly shut down after the dangerous substance was discovered throughout their Malaysian sets.

In a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle, a Seven spokesperson said that the asbestos discovery has caused a delay but hasn’t shut the show down completely.

“Pre-production of Million Dollar Island has been delayed after the unexpected discovery of asbestos on location. In line with our duty of care, a new location is being finalised," the spokesperson said.

Channel Seven also added that the series will still air in 2023 as previously planned.

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Asbestos is ‘extremely fibrous’ and the Cancer Council warns that any fibres breathed in can become ‘trapped in the lungs’.

“Being exposed to asbestos increases the risk of developing cancers of the lung, ovary and larynx as well as mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung). These cancers often develop decades after exposure to asbestos,” their website reads.

Million Dollar Island is a large-scale competition reality format, which sees 100 contestants on an island fighting for a million dollars.

The contestants begin with a bracelet worth $10,000 and will have the chance to win or lose bracelets through a set of challenges.

There is an element of Survivor in the show, as alliances play a huge part — when contestants are evicted from the island, they must give their bracelets to someone remaining on the island.

Reportedly, the show is expensive to make, with sources telling the SMH each episode costs over $700,000 to make.

The ambitious new format was created by Dutchman John de Mol, who created The Voice and Big Brother.

The first Million Dollar Island iteration premiered in the Netherlands in March, with NBC set to follow with a US version. However, NBC pulled the plug on the new format, possibly due to the large budget.

Eureka Productions is behind the ambitious new format. The company boasts a large reality TV portfolio, producing shows such as Farmer Wants a Wife, The Amazing Race Australia and Luxe Listings Sydney.

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