Veteran broadcaster Simon Barnett has likened the relationships forged on Celebrity Treasure Island to those formed in prison due to the heightened emotions and bonds created.
The 59-year-old joined the show's seventh season more than 20 years after finishing runner up the first time around in 2004.
He joined Team Fury, aka Team Kahu, competing alongside 16 well-known Kiwis in physical and strategic challenges in the Far North in a bid to win $100,000 for their chosen charity.
"I haven't even seen it," Barnett told Breakfast. "I haven't seen the trailer. I haven't watched anything. I never watched myself on Dancing with the Stars. I genuinely, legitimately hate watching myself back."
Barnett said he had "a lot of trepidation if I'm honest" about returning to reality TV with "cameras everywhere now, and microphones".
"I think that's one thing people forget with reality television, it is absolutely legitimate, but depending on how it's edited, you can come across looking miserable.
"You've got a microphone hidden on your person somewhere, so you forget it's there. And that's where they get the best TV. Because I go, 'jeepers that old Zion Dayal, what a noddy that bloke is' — which he's not by the way — and then they use that and you look awful," he said.
He laughed, saying the 1News sports reporter was "desperately competitive" and "very likeable".
Asked about the emotional side of Celebrity Treasure Island, Barnett conceded he was a "an emotional wreck at the best of times".
"I've watched reality TV before and somebody's sobbing their heart out because somebody's been eliminated, and I'm like, 'get over it. It's a reality TV show'.
"And then day one, when we lost a member of our team, I was crying like a newborn. And I go, 'what is wrong with me in that environment?"'
"In a very short space of time, you become emotionally connected. It's like being in prison. It's the best analogy. It's like being imprisoned with people and the security guards are the camera crew."
Barnett said picking the White Matter Brain Cancer Trust to compete for was an easy decision following his wife Jodi's death due to brain cancer.
"They do just an incredible job for sufferers and families of primary brain cancer.
"I presume a lot of people know my story. My wife passed away from brain cancer two and a half years ago, and it's just about about killed me, and I'm unabashed about that.
"So White Matter Brain Cancer Trust come in there, and they can provide, you know, might be wheelchairs or trampolines for kids or even weddings for young couples that are suffering.
"I'm just delighted I've become an ambassador for them, and I'm just very proud of that."
Celebrity Treasure Island airs 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday on TVNZ2 and TVNZ+.
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