Things are heating up on Celebrity Treasure Island as teams Kahu and Takapu continue battling it out in the wilderness, but one contestant is quickly emerging as the competition’s unexpected giant killer.
After a dramatic few episodes, TVNZ sports reporter Zion Dayal has gone from under-the-radar player to one of the biggest threats left in the game, eliminating a string of strong competitors and fan favourites.
The latest casualty was actor Ben Barrington, who was sent packing in last night’s episode after a tense tower-building elimination challenge.
His exit came after Dayal previously knocked out rugby legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and actor Vinnie Bennett, earning him the nickname The Giant Slayer.
Heading into last episode's elimination challenge, several contestants openly acknowledged Barrington as one of the strongest left on the island.
“I feel like Ben is the current biggest threat,” singer Georgia Lines said before the challenge.
Social media personality Nix Adams added: “If anyone could take out Ben, it’s Zion.”
The pair, alongside actor Liv Parker, helped orchestrate a plan to pit Barrington and Dayal against one another in a bid to eliminate one of the toughest competitors.
The showdown saw the pair tasked with building the tallest tower possible within 30 minutes using stacks of tiles, all while battling strong winds.
Dayal appeared confident and unfazed heading into the challenge.
“Looks like it’s time to tick off one more on the hit list. Big Ben’s coming down,” he said.
Take your marks...get set...Tīmata!
Early on, the Shortland Street star appeared comfortably in control, building steadily while Dayal battled repeated collapses.
The TVNZ sports reporter quickly fell behind, struggling to match Barrington's rhythm.
“I’m just thinking, ‘Just keep building, fight until the end, and never give up,’” Dayal said.
But as the clock ticked down, momentum began to shift. While Barrington slowed his approach to avoid mistakes, Dayal rapidly rebuilt his tower and closed the gap.
Then, in the final moments, Barrington’s tower partially collapsed — opening the door for Dayal to pull ahead and secure another shock victory.
“The plan worked,” Lines said. “And once again, Zion, giant slayer, takes out the strongest player.”
“I told you, giant slayer!” Dayal laughed afterwards.
Barrington joins a growing list of high-profile contestants eliminated early this season, including veteran broadcaster Simon Barnett and media personality Polly Gillespie.
With tensions beginning to rise and some of the game’s biggest players already gone, could Dayal's unexpected rise dramatically reshape the rest of the competition?
Time will tell.
Celebrity Treasure Island airs Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on TVNZ2 and TVNZ+.
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