Take the Fear Factor Quiz - How Do You Rank Among Britain's Biggest Scaredy-Cats?
With I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! returning to IT1 and ITVX, a brand-new batch of celebrities will face nail-biting Bushtucker Trials designed to push them to their limits. From creepy-crawlies to claustrophobic tunnels, these challenges reveal the contestants' biggest fears.
Turns out, many of these fears are shared by the British public. But what exactly terrifies us the most? And how confident are we about surviving in the jungle if we were dropped in alone?
That’s exactly what we set out to discover in our latest study. We surveyed over 2,000 UK adults to uncover the nation’s biggest fears and survival confidence. Plus, we’ve teamed up with Dr Angelina Archer from the British Psychological Society to share practical tips for overcoming fear.
Start by taking our Fear Factor Quiz below to see how many of Britain’s top phobias you share. Are you one of the fearless few (11% of Brits claim to have no fears at all) or a certified scaredy-cat?
Fear Factor Quiz
Are you scared of heights?
Are you scared of snakes?
Are you scared of spiders?
Are you afraid of enclosed spaces?
Are you scared of deep/dark water?
Are you afraid of public speaking?
Are you scared of dentists?
Are you scared of needles?
Are you scared of the dark?
How did you do?
Add up your score and see where you rank:
0 = Fearless
1-3 = Braver than you think
4-6 = A nervous wreck
7-9 = Paralysed with fear
10 = Britain’s Biggest Scaredy-Cat
The UK's Top Ten fears
How Would the UK Fare in the Jungle?
Our study explored the scenarios Brits believe they could (or perhaps couldn’t) handle in the jungle – from basic survival tasks to life-or-death challenges.
The most common survival skill Britons felt confident about was building a shelter, with over a third (36%) saying they could manage it.
When it comes to navigation, 69% of Brits don't think they'd survive getting lost, meaning just over three in 10 think they could find their way back.
Crossing open water would also prove tricky, with only a quarter (26%) claiming they could do it safely.
Major survival skills could be a stumbling block for millions, as more than three-quarters (78%) admit they’d struggle to start a fire – a crucial skill in any survival scenario.
On the other hand, one in 25 (extremely) optimistic Brits think they could survive a Crocodile attack, while another 4% believe they could also survive indefinitely in the jungle. In stark contrast, one in five Brits don’t think they’d last longer than a day.
Gender and Generational Gaps – Confidence vs. Caution
Across the board, men are noticeably more optimistic about their survival hopes compared to women.
Two in five (39%) men said they would survive getting lost, compared to only a quarter of women (24%) – a difference of 15%.
Building shelter followed a similar pattern: more than two in five men (41%) felt they could construct one, whereas fewer than a third of women (32%) agreed.
Generational differences were just as striking. Gen Z (18-24-year-olds) emerged as the most confident group, with almost half (48%) believing they’d survive longer than a week in the jungle, and three in 50 (6%) going as far to say they would survive indefinitely.
In contrast, among those over the age of 65, only one in five (20%) thought they could last beyond a week.
Some Regions Are More Optimistic Than Others
Our study revealed striking regional differences toward their survival hopes and fears. People from Sheffield showed the most confidence when it came to building a shelter – a whopping half (49%) of residents think they would be successful with their efforts.
Belfast presented the biggest contrast of the study, combining bold optimism with an apparent lack of jungle skills. Over a third of residents (37%) admitted they have no survival skills at all, yet the city also recorded the highest percentage of of people who think they could survive indefinitely in the jungle – one in 10 (10%).
When it comes to fears, Brummies top the UK as the most fearful of heights, with around two in five (41%) claiming they’re paranoid of elevation. Geordies top the list for fear of snakes, with more than a third (36%) petrified of the slithering reptiles, despite snakes being more common in southwest England and Wales.
Why Are the Biggest Fears So Common?
We spoke to Dr. Angelina Archer, a chartered member of the British Psychological Society, to understand why fears exist and why some are so widespread.
Dr. Angelina says: “Most of our biggest fears stem from ancient survival instincts. Thousands of years ago, steering clear of snakes, deep water and high cliffs helped early humans stay alive. Even if the only snake we see today is on a TV screen, our threat response hasn’t evolved as quickly as modern life. Fears like enclosed spaces, deep water or needles often arise when we feel trapped or powerless. These reactions are driven by the amygdala - the part of the brain that detects danger and reacts before our logical mind has time to step in. We’re all hardwired with a basic need for safety and control, which explains why even non-physical threats can feel overwhelming.
“Modern fears such as public speaking tap into our social instincts, triggering feelings of embarrassment or rejection. Existential worries such as getting older stem from uncertainty, loss of independence and confronting our own mortality - fears often shaped by culture and personal experience. Meanwhile, fears of dentists or needles are fuelled by anticipatory anxiety, where the mind exaggerates the potential for pain or loss of control, which then creates a powerful, protective loop of avoidance.
“Whether you’re facing a trial in the Australian jungle or simply giving a presentation at work, fear triggers the same built-in “fight or flight” response. The real challenge is learning how to work with that response, not against it.
How can we Overcome our Fears?
Alongside her insights, Dr. Angelina shared five practical, evidence-based techniques anyone can use to help manage fears of all sizes.
Gradual Exposure
Dr. Angelina says: “Start small. If heights scare you, begin by standing on a low step or looking at pictures of tall buildings. Gradually work your way up, perhaps by watching videos of people on mountain trails, then visiting a tall building yourself. Slow, controlled exposure helps your brain learn that the situation is actually safe.
“Gradually and repeatedly facing your fear in small, manageable steps helps your brain learn that the situation isn’t truly dangerous. If it starts to feel overwhelming, it’s perfectly fine to pause and try again later. Consistency matters more than pushing through discomfort.”
Breathing and Grounding Techniques
Make use of Box Breathing, says Dr. Angelina: “Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, and repeat as needed. When fear activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, slow, steady breathing helps to reduce adrenaline and calm the nervous system.”
“To ease the physical symptoms of panic, try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Notice five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This exercise brings your focus back to the present moment and helps steady your mind and body.”
Visualise Success
“Picture yourself feeling calm and capable in the situation you fear. I often encourage people to imagine confidently facing heights, spiders or snakes. This mental rehearsal primes your brain to respond with composure and control, rather than panic.”
Relaxation and Mindfulness
“As a simple mindfulness exercise, try holding an everyday object that carries no emotional weight, for example, a pen. Focus closely on its details: the shape, colour, temperature, reflections and texture. Phobias are typically driven by thoughts about the future, the belief that something bad will happen. By bringing your attention to the present moment, those anxious thoughts start to lose their power. With practice, you can learn to observe fear without allowing it to control your actions.
“In the long-term, practices such as mindfulness, yoga or meditation help train your nervous system to respond less intensely to fear cues.”
Ask for Support if You Need It
“Some fears run deep, and that’s okay. Working with a trained therapist through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or a similar approach that helps reshape thoughts, emotions and behaviours, can make a real difference. Over time, therapy can help you reframe your fear and regain a sense of control.”
Conclusion of Study
Our study has revealed some of the most common fears and phobias among the British public, as well as how confident people feel about their chances of survival in the jungle – even if some are more optimistic than others!
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