A BAILIFF from Ilkeston flew to Argentina to take part in a TV game show, set to be screened tonight.

Rachel Gatley was whisked off to Buenos Aires by the BBC in May to film Total Wipeout, which features a series of madcap physical challenges and a £10,000 first prize.

The five-day challenge, presented by Top Gear's Richard Hammond, involves an assault course in which competitors try to bounce across three giant red balls.

Rachel plans to gather family and friends at her Ladywood Road, Kirk Hallam, home to watch the programme, which goes out at 7.20pm on BBC1. And she is feeling nervous about seeing herself on screen.

Describing herself as "enthusiastic, ambitious and random", the 23-year-old found the going tough on the purpose-built course.

"You don't know which bits they will show and whether they will be flattering or not," she said.

"I keep in shape by going to the gym twice a week but it was still hard work taking part.

"I also enjoy tree climbing and water skiing to keep fit but even these can't prepare you for how tough the course is – it is all about stamina."

Rachel initially lined up alongside nine other women and 10 men. They were whittled down to 12 after the initial qualifier.

This first stage involves competitors hurling themselves down a slippery slide, across a set of topple towers – avoiding the mud below – then crossing a padded ledge, avoiding random boxing gloves. It's then on to the island-hop, using four giant bouncy balls to clear the water and swinging towards the course's finish line.

Eventually, just three competitors battle it out in the final.

How Rachel fared must remain a secret until after the programme is aired.But if she has won, she will use the prize to take sisters Sarah, 24, and Alice, 19, to the Maldives for a girlie weekend.

Rachel said: "The toughest bit is the mud. If you get into that, it can be really energy-sapping. It is four feet deep and very smelly."

Rachel said that although there seemed a long break between filming and the programme being aired, from applying to go on the show to travelling to Argentina happened very quickly.

She said: "I applied online, was asked to audition in Birmingham in March, was shortlisted and given a medical check-up, all in about eight weeks.

"The whole thing was an amazing experience. I would definitely do it again – I'm just thinking what my next challenge will be."

She added: I've definitely got a taste for taking part in television competitions now."