Castaway couple to have baby

The couple are expecting a baby in the summer

Two people who fell in love during filming of the BBC's Castaway 2000 programme have announced they are expecting a child.

Trish Prater, 38, originally from Dennistoun, near Glasgow, and Trevor Kearon, 35, of Wirral, Merseyside, said they plan to marry after the baby is born in the summer.

The couple began their relationship during a year-long stay on the island of Taransay, off the Western Isles of Scotland.

They and 27 other people took part in the BBC's £2.4m documentary series which ended on New Year's Day.

The Castaways left the island on New Year's Day

Ms Prater, who has two daughters and a son from a previous relationship, said: "We conceived on Taransay and the island has a special place in our hearts.

"We will be taking the baby back to show him or her what a magical place it is."

The couple said they tried to keep their relationship a secret but were often the subject of gossip from fellow Castaways.

Mr Kearon, a driving instructor, said: "We were happy in each other's company and it caused resentment."

Mr Kearon's mother Sheila said she had already met her future daughter-in-law and said news of her pregnancy was wonderful.

"It's lovely that Trevor and Trish are having a baby," she said.

"I have met Trish and she's a really nice person. It's wonderful news."

New series

Mr Kearon and Ms Prater are the third couple to get together during the filming of Castaway 2000.

Photography graduate Philiy Page, 25, and Dubliner Padraig Nellan, 28, began a relationship in February last year.

In July, romance blossomed between former secretary Tammy Huff, 27, from Bedfordshire and Toby Waterman, 24, a pensions analyst from West Yorkshire.

Thousands of people have already applied to take part in the next series of the BBC's Castaway programme.

Makers of the year-long project received more than 14,000 e-mails last week after inviting new applicants.

Producer Jeremy Mills said he had received so many requests for application forms that the system had almost ground to a halt.

A team of researchers is now sifting through the pile of names wanting to leave the hustle and bustle of modern life.