MUMBAI: Running Wild with Bear Grylls' is back, as the famed survivalist takes a new host of unsuspecting celebrities under his wing to explore some of the most remote locations around the world. First up joining the renowned adventurer is triple-platinum recording artist and actor, Nick Jonas, followed by SAG Award-winning actress, Courteney Cox, as Grylls takes them on the 48-hour extreme survival challenge of a lifetime.

Airing exclusively on the Discovery Channel from 5 January every Thursdays at 9 pm, other celebrities joining Grylls include: dancer and Emmy Award-winning choreographer, Julianne Hough; stage and screen actress and singer, Vanessa Hudgens; alpine skier and Olympic gold medallist, Lindsey Vonn; and Hall of Fame basketball player, Shaquille O'Neal.

Each of the accomplished actors and athletes will partner with Bear for two days for a one-on-one adventure they will never forget.

From the remote African Savanna and mountain passes of Sierra Nevada to the wilds of Ireland and rocky shores of Corsica, the intrepid cast members will face their deepest fears and tackle everything from wild animals to rock rappelling as they journey through some of the world’s most unforgiving wildernesses, learning a little more about themselves in the process.

Pushing their minds and bodies to the limit to complete their journey, they experience the excitement of being dropped into uncharted territory and tackling the wilderness head-on, which is daunting and draining, but also very empowering.

· Television icon Cox joins Grylls on a harrowing journey to Ireland on this week’s Running Wild. Dropped along the wind swept coastline, they navigate jagged peaks and descend sheer cliffs, only to be battered by ocean swells. As they contend with the elements, the two struggle to stay warm and must subsist on a meager diet of maggots sourced from a rotting sheep. Cox’s limits will be tested, but her spirit shines while sharing insights on aging gracefully, the loss of her father, and the joy of motherhood.

· Vonn takes a speedboat trip with Grylls, before they swim to shore, cross a chasm and dine on sea urchins. How will she get on?

· O’Neal joins Grylls on an oversized adventure to the remote Adirondacks on Running Wild. After being plucked from a freight train via helicopter, Bear and the 7’1” Shaq battle dense forest, blood-sucking leaches and two-hundred-foot sheer rock faces in search of their extraction point. Along the way, Shaq’s infectious energy, tales of legendary NBA moments, and unwavering drive to be help others remind us why he is beloved the world over.

· Hough joins Grylls on a roaring adventure to the African Savanna. They initially navigate the unforgiving African terrain on ATV and must elude a pack of elephants that block their path. Rappelling from a sheer cliff, they enter a remote canyon where they evade a pack of big cats, come face-to-face with a massive snake, and navigate treacherous waterfalls before reaching their extraction point. As they make their way through the dangerous and unpredictable terrain, Julianne shares her personal story of abuse, and the positivity and unwavering determination that got her to the top.

· Jonas joins Grylls for an icy journey across the Sierra Nevada mountains. With a blizzard bearing down, Nick and Bear must rappel down a sheer rock face before navigating an avalanche-prone mountain face. Building camp under harsh conditions, the two feast on a frozen bird, and eventually make a heart-stopping swim across a freezing lake. Along the way, Nick gives us the definitive account of the Jonas Brothers’ split and reveals how his struggle with diabetes gave him the drive to reach the pinnacle of the music world.

· America's Got Talent judge and pop icon Mel B roughs it with Grylls on the shark-infested waters of the Irish coast.

· After a breathtaking repel from a helicopter, Grylls and Hudgens evade a boulder avalanche, summit a massive dormant volcano, and come face-to-face with a rattlesnake, which makes for a cringe-worthy dinner. Along the way, Vanessa reveals her struggle to accept the passing of her father, and shares insights on her meteoric rise to stardom.