His latest TV series, The Island, caused widespread controversy and allegations of fakery.
But adventurer Bear Grylls was to be found on a less exotic island in the Hebrides this week – together with Hollywood actor Ben Stiller.
The pair headed to the isle of Skye to film a new outdoor series which involved them surviving for a night in the spectacular Spar Cave on the island.
They also took a trip on a seaplane, headed into the Cullins mountain range and visited the Talisker whisky distillery.
Coincidentally also on the island around the same time was fellow TV survival expert Ray Mears filming new programmes called Wild Britain.
It is believed Grylls and Stiller were filming Get Out Alive, a new NBC reality adventure series.
“This is our biggest show we have ever done and we have almost chosen the final 20 people that I am taking to the wild.” wrote Grylls on his blog recently.
The film company hired Skye company Bella Jane Boat Trips to take Grylls and Stiller to Spar Cave at Elgol.
“It is a truly spectacular location but not easy to reach,” said company owner David Brown.
“They were very chatty and seemed to be enjoying themselves.
“They both stayed in the cave overnight and then departed by seaplane. I think they chose Skye because it is a wonderful outdoor location and is so picturesque.
“I know they also went into the mountains to do some filming and were here for a couple of days.”
It is not the first time that Grylls and Stiller have worked together, having previously joined forces on Man vs Wild.
Throughout his career Stiller has written, starred in, directed, and/or produced over 50 films, including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander, There’s Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, DodgeBall, Tropic Thunder, the Madagascar series, Night at the Museum, and the sequel Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian.
Meanwhile Channel 4 says it has received almost 40,000 applications from people who want to take part in its Bear Grylls survival series.
The show attracted accusations of fakery after it was revealed that four of the “13 ordinary men” marooned on the island were TV professionals with experience of survival and at least two had worked with Grylls before. It also reported that producers set up a water supply and transported two crocodiles to the island.
Grylls responded to the allegations on Twitter, saying “I don’t understand the critics here – yes production made sure the 13 men wouldn’t die & @theisland had a source of water & food.”