The show must go on! Rebecca Maddern reveals what it was like to film Australian Ninja Warrior amid the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 Pandemic rocked television productions around the country – and Australian Ninja Warrior was no different.
While the show was able to go ahead with it’s three week filming period in March, it certainly wasn’t easy.
Now, host Rebecca Maddern has opened up about what it was like to film the show in the midst of the pandemic.
The show must go on: Rebecca Maddern (pictured) has opened up about what it was like to film the show in the midst of the pandemic
Due to the changing restrictions, production had to constantly change the amount of people allowed in the audience.
‘We certainly start with family and friends so it doesn’t really look any different to normal,’ Rebecca told TV Tonight.
She continued: ‘And then as the season progresses, it gets less and less because changes in guidelines came in every 48 hours, so we just roll with that.
‘Towards the end, there isn’t a lot of crowd, but I don’t think the athletes minded too much. They probably didn’t even notice to be honest. They’re so focused on the course that it doesn’t affect their performance at all.’
No cheer squad: Due to constantly the changing restrictions production had to constantly change the amount of people allowed in the audience
What’s more, Rebecca was forced to miss out on two days of filming after she was tested for the virus.
She went into self-isolation after her Weekend Today colleague Richard Wilkins was diagnosed with COVID-19 back in March.
AFL legend Shane Crawford took over Rebecca’s hosting duties while she was awaiting her results.
Stepping up: Rebecca was forced to miss out on two days of filming after she was tested for the virus and AFL legend, Shane Crawford (pictured) took over Rebecca’s hosting duties while she was awaiting her results
Thankfully, she tested negative and was able to return to the Ninja Warrior set.
This season is set to introduce a brand new obstacle called The Power Tower, which will see contestants compete head to head in a Ninja Warrior first.
However, Rebecca’s co-host Ben Fordham has accused her of ‘stealing’ his idea for the new Power Tower obstacle.
New twist: This season is set to introduce a brand new obstacle called The Power Tower, which will see contestants compete head to head in a Ninja Warrior first
‘This year there’s this thing called the Power Tower. I’m pretty sure it was my idea. I had a dream about it and then I told people about the dream,’ he told News.com.au.
‘What Rebecca has then done is she has heard that and then gone and pitched it officially to producers and they’ve run with it.’
But Rebecca has denied stealing Ben’s idea, telling Daily Mail Australia: ‘It’s typical of him to want to put his name to a winner but it’s mine,’ she said.
Australian Ninja Warrior Ninja Warrior Australia starts Sunday at 7pm on Nine.
Friction: Rebecca’s (left) co-host Ben Fordham (right) has accused her of ‘stealing’ his idea for the new Power Tower obstacle, however she has denied it