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Hollywood actor Will Smith travelled across Antarctica with former Wales rugby star turned global adventurer Richard Parks as his guide, in a new series which sees him visit all seven continents.
Parks said teaching the Fresh Prince of Bel Air star about the Earth’s southernmost and coldest continent for the show was “special”.
The ex-Dragons player said he felt “inspired” by Smith but had to have a “few harsh words” when he started dancing on the Polar Plateau, due to its protocols to preserve the environment.
He added being in Antarctica “might be the first time since his childhood Will experienced that kind of isolation”.
The documentary series, called Pole to Pole – which Richard said was five years in the making – will see Smith travel across all seven continents and will premiere on 14 January on National Geographic in the UK and Disney+.
In each of the seven episodes, Smith was guided by experts, scientists and explorers to discover more about the world.
Parks, who was the first explorer to feature in episode one, said it was his job to help Smith “find the courage and find the skills very quickly to be able to truly experience the continent”.
He added there was “certainly a bond” between the pair, although “it’s hard to reflect on something like this”.
“I can only imagine what Will’s life is like in the real life,” he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
“But the isolation of Antarctica, it does something to you, it’s a real privilege to experience that.”
He said the production team was “relatively tiny”, adding Smith was “very thoughtful, very humble, really curious”.
“That kind of isolation, the way Antarctica peels back the psychological and social layers we live behind here, it takes you back to the core man. The core person.
“That’s what’s really special about this, Will’s an awesome guy.
“I couldn’t help but feel inspired.”
Parks explained his main role was “to keep him safe” and, while “arguments is a strong word”, there were tense moments.
“I did have to have a few harsh words with him when he started dancing on the Polar Plateau, which is not the place to bust moves,” he said.
“But he’s a beautiful, curious soul and we see that in the show.”
Parks said he first heard about the show in an email in 2020, under an embargo, adding he was “still pinching himself” at the opportunity.
“I didn’t get a huge amount of information, it was just a production company saying they’re making an adventure science series and asking ‘would you be interested talking to them about Antarctica?’. That was it.”
Richard grew up in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and studied dentistry before playing international rugby for Wales as a forward, which ended when a shoulder injury forced his retirement in 2009.
The 48-year-old then became an extreme sports athlete and TV presenter, as well as the first person ever to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents and stand on all three poles within the same calendar year.
The challenge was filmed for a BBC Cymru Wales documentary called Richard Parks – Conquering the World.
