Survivor evictee lied to family

The Survivor contestants face tough challenges

James Stroud, evicted from Survivor Island on Monday, has revealed his guilty secret.

His five children believed he was on a holiday trek in Nepal, when in reality he was on an island gameshow in the hope of winning £1m.

I wish I had told them the truth, I slightly regret that.

James Stroud

He only told his family the truth when he returned home having been voted off the island of Pulau Tiga by the other members of the tribe.

James insisted that his children had been fine with his absence of several weeks. "They were very good about it, I had to tell them a lie," he said.

'Regret'

"I told them I was going trekking in Nepal. I wish I had told them the truth, I slightly regret that," he added.

Because of the confidentiality agreements signed by contestants - the winner has already been chosen - the children did not know that he had not won the grand prize when he returned home.

But the issue of the grand prize has not been a topic of conversation.

James said of his children: "They seemed very relaxed about it. The younger ones did not really understand and Harry, who is eight, would not have cared because he is so laid back."

"So it was only really the eldest one, Tom, and he didn't seem too concerned." James added.

'Immensely cool'

Above all, the experience was a positive one for his children, James said.

"Overall they have really enjoyed it, they have got almost as much out of it as I have. Their school friends thought it was immensely cool to have their friend's dad on TV."

I really enjoyed island life. You very quickly forget you are on a television programme.

James Stroud

When asked what he would have done with £1m, James talked of a double edged sword: "It would have made life a hell of a lot easier financially because I have five children but I think I might have ended up having another child in my excitement."

Asked for his final thoughts, James said: "I really enjoyed island life. You very quickly forget you are on a television programme. You spend most of your time fishing and looking for fruits and nuts on this beautiful island."

James will now join a jury of evicted contestants who will choose between the final two contestants for the grand prize of £1m.