Ben Shephard takes part in ‘extreme interview’ live with MERU’s Jimmy Chin on Good Morning Britain

GMB presenter interviews MERU director Jimmy Chin whilst abseiling down ITV Studios Tower live on show!

In an ITV’s Good Morning Britain first, Ben Shephard interviewed one of the world’s top climbers whilst abseiling down the ITV Studios Tower live on today’s programme. 

Brave Ben questioned renowned professional climber Jimmy Chin about the release of his new documentary film MERU, while abseiling down 22 floors of the ITV building.

The documentary, released on Friday, follows Jimmy’s journey to tackle the Meru peak in the Himalayas which at 21,850 ft dwarfs the 279 ft ITV Studios Tower.

The extreme interview was partly filmed on head cameras by Ben and Jimmy. Speaking ahead of the interview, Ben said: “I can’t tell you how much my heart is beating, suddenly it’s gone up. Crikey - this honestly seemed like a great idea yesterday.”

After going over the edge of the building and starting the 279 ft descent to the ground, a clearly nervous Ben began the interview with Jimmy who has climbed Everest twice.

Speaking about scaling Meru, Jimmy said “It is one of the most coveted alpine climbs in the Himalayas. It’s because it’s very technical, so it required every discipline of climbing, ice climbing, mixed climbing, rock climbing, big wall climbing.”

Jimmy tried to summit Meru in 2008 but had to turn back 100 metres from the top. He said “It’s pretty heartbreaking, that’s what the film is about, it’s really about friendship and loyalty but it’s also just about a comeback.”

He did reach the summit a second time round, describing that moment he said “It’s probably more of a feeling of surprise. It just seems like an endless endeavour but also you know that you are only halfway.”

At the end of the extreme interview when Ben reached the ground, he confessed “I need a lie down.”

He added “I just need to loosen the harness because it’s quite tight.”

Fellow presenter Susanna Reid came to meet Ben at the end of the abseil and hugging him said “I’ve never been so pleased to see you in my entire life!”

Speaking on the GMB sofa after the extreme interview, Ben said “One of the things that the guys at the top said, ‘Ben don’t forget to enjoy it’ and I absolutely forgot to enjoy it. It didn’t dawn on me at any point. But now I’m down, it was an extraordinary experience.”

Susanna said: “I’m honoured to sit alongside you. You have a lot of courage because to be honest I wouldn’t have been able to go over the edge, let alone to then abseil down. But not only did you do that, you broadcast an interview live on television in time to get to the 8 o'clock news!”

ITV's Good Morning Britain, weekdays 6am - 8.30am

MERU IS IN CINEMAS & ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FEBRUARY 12 AND OUT ON DVD & BLU-RAY™ ON MARCH 7