THESE sixteen people will be torn apart by an almighty power struggle in Channel 4’s new reality show Rise and Fall.
Greg James will host as players including a 69-year-old, East End wheel dealer and antiques expert, a postman from Sierra Leone, and a bling-loving fashion influencer become Rulers and Grafters.
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While the Rulers live in a luxury penthouse, the Grafters must survive in basic conditions in the basement while they complete gruelling challenges to build up the prize fund.
But anyone can rise to a position of power and anyone can fall.
Meet the group here before Rise and Fall begins this Sunday (March 19) on Channel 4.
Ali, 45, Essex
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Ali is a hard-working businessman who owns a number of successful businesses and is well known in Essex for his restaurants which have become celebrity hot spots.
When asked who he considers a great leader, he said: “I think Donald Trump is a great leader because he’s a don’t-take-no-c**p kind of guy.”
Cheryl, 40, Liverpool
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Now a mature student, Cheryl was previously a support worker, working with both adults and children.
She said: “I like to bring everyone together, but I also like to do my own thing. I don’t like seeing anyone struggling so I know I’m going to be very compassionate about those scenarios.
“But I also like to be a winner, so long as things go my way, that’s fine. But that’s not going to happen, is it? It’s a gameshow.”
Connor, 27, Kent
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Connor started volunteering in the care sector at the age of 16 and always knew it was what he wanted to do on leaving school.
He now works with the elderly and people with disabilities.
He said: “I’m a strong person. To win Rise and Fall I think you have to be outspoken, I’m good at analysing people and I think I’ll be able to sniff out the weaker ones, the fake ones, all the manipulators and I think I’ll be able to sniff out the worst ones.
“With my charm and sass, I’ll probably work my way right up to the top and win Rise and Fall series one.”
Edmund, 27, Devon
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Edmund comes from one of Britain’s oldest aristocratic families. He leads an ordinary life and says he’s someone who can find common
ground with anyone.
He said: “I think I have the qualities to win Rise and Fall because I’m more than happy to muck in and do the hard graft, but then also take a step back and organise and lead a team.”
Jack, 28, Hertfordshire
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Jack works in construction and plays semi professional football. If he were to win the prize fund, he’d take his mum on a luxury holiday.
Asked who he considered a great leader he said: “Someone who’s a great leader to me is Lionel Messi because he can lead a team by himself and carry them over the line, like at the World Cup.”
James, 26, Newport, South Wales
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James works as an employment coach but is also passionate about fitness and runs fitness classes.
He chose Beyonce as his favourite example of a great leader, saying: “Beyonce is an amazing leader. She has so many achievements.
“She’s a trailblazer. She’s led herself, women, men and the queer community to feel themselves, to be their best selves and to release their wiggle.”
Jeff, 69, London
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Jeff is an East End boy at heart. He began working at Sotheby’s in the 1970s before setting up his art dealership and is best known for his
role as an expert in Channel 4’s Four Rooms.
Today, he oversees and runs eight businesses.
He chose an iconic former Prime Minister as his example of a great leader, saying: “Somebody who was a great leader with great attributes was Winston Churchill.
“He had a sense of humour and you get nowhere in this world without a sense of humour.”
Joanna, 50, Suffolk
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Interior designer Joanna grew up in Suffolk but spent time at her grandparents’ stately home. When the pandemic affected her interior design work, she went to Greece for a big adventure.
She said: “I’m strong, physically and mentally. I like to rise to any occasion thrown at me. I love a challenge. I’m very energetic so throw anything at me and hopefully, I’ll be capable.”
Marina, 18, London
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Marina lives at home with her parents. She recently dropped out of university to follow her dream of being an actor. She currently
works as a receptionist.
She said: “I’m a good leader because I come with a lot of positive energy and I don’t provide problems, I provide solutions.”
Matt, 32, The Midlands
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Nurse Matt has dedicated his career to helping the most vulnerable members of society but after over a decade on the frontline, he is becoming increasingly frustrated with social policy.
His great leader is his mum, as he said: It’s cheesy, it’s a cliché but it’s my mother. My mother is my role model.
“She’s one of the strongest, most empowering women I know. If I could be half the nurse – because she was a nurse as well – and half the parent to my two daughters that she was to me then I’m happy, I’m successful. I’ve achieved in life.”
Prince, 39, Hertfordshire
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Born and raised in Sierra Leone, Prince describes his upbringing as challenging but believes that, although harsh, it has set him up
for success.
He said: “I am very, very disciplined. I’ve got 20 years of martial arts training.
“I’m very focused when I decide to put my mind to something and I’m a very deep thinker. I don’t follow the crowd. I’m an individual, I’m quite strong minded and I’ve got good willpower.”
Rachel, 27, London
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Influencer Rachel is also an identical twin. She specialises in fashion and beauty content creation. She says if she has to, she’ll put on
an act to get herself to the top.
She said: “The qualities I have that will make me win Rise and Fall are, I’m very observant and I like to be social, but I’m also very competitive.
“I’m here to win. No one’s going to take my spot, just saying.”
Ramona, 34, London
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Ramona credits moving from Munich to London as a child and having to learn a new language with sparking her desire to work hard and excel in the business world.
She is now CEO of numerous hospitality and tech businesses.
She said: “My qualities that will help me win are from experiences I’ve gained in business.
“I have been doing this since I was 21. I’ve worked in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Germany and the UK. I’ve learnt so much.
“I’ve worked with so many people from different cultures and backgrounds and I can lead people using the knowledge and experience I’ve gained.”
Rishika, 26, Birmingham
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Rishika grew up without great wealth which made her understand the value of money and the need to earn nice things.
Rishika runs a charity helping people who live in shoe poverty.
She said: “The qualities I have are that I’m really outspoken and say what I think and I’m not afraid to take the lead.
“Also, I’m really empathetic so I’ll take into consideration what other people feel and think.”
Sophie, 21, Essex
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A member of the Young Conservatives, Sophie is outspoken about her political views and is a regular commentator in the national media. She is also a keen footballer.
She revealed her example of a great leader saying: “The best example of a leader I can think of, who is actually my personal idol since I was a child, is Margaret Thatcher.”
Sydney, 24, West Lothian, Scotland
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As well as working as a delivery driver, single mum Sydney is also studying for a law degree with a view to working in the human rights
sector.
She said when asked for an example of a great leader: “One of the best leaders is Marilyn Monroe because she’s iconic and had the world in a chokehold during her time.
Rise and Fall begins Sunday March 19 at 9pm on Channel 4 and All 4.
