Rapper Aitch has made a surprising comparison between two television experiences, insisting that taking the hotseat on ITV's The Assembly is "more intense" than facing the infamous Bushtucker Trials on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The musician made the revelation after being grilled by the show's unique panel of autistic, neurodivergent, and learning disabled interviewers.
A Breath of Fresh Air in Interviewing
The critically acclaimed programme, which features interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent, or have learning disabilities, has earned widespread praise for its disarming honesty and refreshing approach to celebrity conversations. Previous guests during the first series included Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall, and Gary Lineker, all of whom faced the panel's direct questioning style.
When Aitch took the hotseat this Wednesday, he described the experience as "absolutely unreal" and said it gave him a "breath of fresh air and faith in humanity." The YouTube star, whose younger sister Gracie has Down's syndrome, found himself particularly challenged when asked to compare the difficulty between a Bushtucker Trial and The Assembly's questioning.
Sweating More Than in Australia
Aitch revealed: "I would actually say it's more intense in the Assembly hotseat than a Bushtucker Trial. I really don't know why but I sweated more in that chair than I did in my whole time in Australia – put it that way."
Elsewhere in the interview, Aitch was asked which of his celebrity friends he would like to see appear on The Assembly next. He suggested Ed Sheeran would be an "amazing guest" on the show, explaining: "He's just a good person, he brings good vibes no matter where he is. I can't lie, I would definitely be locking into that episode solely for entertainment purposes. I feel like it would be a good laugh."
Previous Guests Faced Equally Challenging Questions
The Assembly has developed a reputation for its unexpectedly personal and direct questioning style. Last week, Sir Lenny Henry was left putting his head in his hands after being asked a very personal question about his relationship with his girlfriend of thirteen years, Lisa Makin.
In a first look clip, the 67-year-old actor and comedian gasped "do they just ask you anything?" when interviewer Mikey questioned why he hadn't proposed to his long-term partner. Sir Lenny, who was previously married to Dawn French from 1974 to 2010, met Makin when she was producing Shakespeare's Othello, where he developed feelings for her over "lots of cups of tea."
Nicola Sturgeon's Emotional Experience
Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also faced the panel's unique interviewing style in the second episode of the new series. The 55-year-old politician found herself in shock when one interviewer compared her appearance to Mrs Doubtfire, the character played by Robin Williams in the 1993 film.
When asked about her signature hairstyle, Sturgeon admitted she hated her "really, really difficult hair" and was considering "doing something quite radically different" to mark leaving politics, possibly even bleaching it. The Mrs Doubtfire comparison prompted shouts and jeers from the group, with Sturgeon seen doubling over and placing her hands over her face in response.
Raw Vulnerability on Display
More significantly, Sturgeon broke down in tears during the interview when discussing her miscarriage in 2011. She admitted that she cried so much she "didn't think she was going to be able to stop" after answering questions about the loss, which she believes would have made her a better mother.
Speaking about her experience on The Assembly ahead of her episode, Sturgeon said: "There were a couple of points when I felt quite overwhelmed. What I took from it was how cathartic it is to open up emotionally to a group of people with no agenda other than hearing honest answers – and to give my answers totally instinctively."
Despite finding the experience emotionally draining, Sturgeon described it as "a genuine rollercoaster of emotions" where she would be "one minute laughing and the next, crying." She emphasized that the interview was "different to anything I've done before" and sparked "more raw emotion in me than I have ever shown on TV before."
A New Approach to Celebrity Interviews
The Assembly represents a significant departure from traditional celebrity interview formats. By employing interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent, or have learning disabilities, the show creates an environment where questions come without the usual filters or agendas that characterize most media interactions.
As Aitch's experience demonstrates, this approach can be both more challenging and more rewarding than conventional interviews or even reality television challenges. The show continues to attract high-profile guests willing to face its unique questioning style, with each episode revealing new dimensions of public figures through unfiltered conversation.
