A Thanet dad and son are among the contestants competing in a James Bond inspired competition airing on Prime this August.
Dan Jackson and son Dylan are among eight duos taking part in the 007-inspired global adventure with a shot at winning the £1m prize.
Ministry of Defence civil servant Dan, 47, from Margate and Dylan, 23, from Ramsgate, will be seen taking on challenges in the adrenalin-fuelled, eight-part series of 007: Road To A Million, which screens from August 22.
Contestants face challenges as they travel from Bangkok’s Sinn Sathorn Tower to shark-infested waters in the Bahamas, face live scorpions in Thailand, firing guns in an historic Hacienda in Mexico, and brave dizzying Alpine cable cars.
The slowest pairs face elimination in the tense Killer Question with only one duo reaching London for a shot at winning £1 million.
It is the second series of the show and features award-winning actor Brian Cox returning as ‘The Controller,’ to preside over the contestants, described as ‘everyday heroes’ for the different obstacles they have faced in life.
Challenges
Dan was diagnosed with sinus cancer in 2012, which meant a battle for life, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, three years of operations and resulting facial differences including the loss of his right eye.
He was 34 when he discovered he had a tumour growing in his sinus and behind his eye.
What followed was a major operation to remove the tumour and Dan’s eye right back to the cranium meaning a large area of his face would be changed forever – with no guarantee of stopping the cancer.
Dan had to recover and learn to live with the change to his appearance and the loss of his sense of smell and taste and 50% of his sight.
He later became the face of many major charities working with people who had undergone similar changes due to illness, accident or birth and set up a foundation to help other.
Dylan, who has experience working in the hospitality trade after learning the ropes at Margate’s A Perfect Place to Grow, lives with autism and was keen to broaden his horizons and see more of the world. Show bosses say he is “thoughtful and analytical.”
Dad-of-four and stepdad-of-two Dan said: “A friend mentioned that applications for the series were open. It wasn’t a show I was aware of at first but as soon as I had a look, we went headfirst into it and our imaginations were ignited.
“We got a phone call back which was incredible. I didn’t think our audition video was that good but they must have seen something they liked.
“I had cancer in 2012 and it was a really tough time for many reasons and it took a long time to get back on my feet.
“Dylan was only about 11 at the time and you can only imagine how hard it was seeing a parent go through something as devastating as having their face ripped apart.
“Dylan has autism, he spends his spare time playing computer games and I wanted to show him something of the world, get him out there and get him motivated with an opportunity to really make a difference to his life.
“The money is an incredible temptation but we had to be realistic as we didn’t know how it would pan out but the main thing was getting Dylan out to broaden his horizons”
Filming for the series took place throughout last year, wrapping up at the beginning of this year.
Dan said: “We were completely in the dark from day one, we did not know what was coming or what to expect and they threw everything at us!
“There were tantrums and tears and tears of joy, it was just an incredible journey and totally life changing in every way.”
Dan and Dylan have seen some clips from the show, which were ‘absolutely insane,’ but will see the completed programme for the first time when it airs.
Watch the show
007: Road To A Million was commissioned in 2021, before Amazon completed its acquisition of MGM Studios in 2023 and before Amazon MGM Studios acquired creative control of the James Bond film franchise in 2025.
All eight episodes of 007: Road To A Million series 2 release exclusively on Prime Video on 22 August.
I must watch this , Dan is a really nice guy , I remember when he was manager at Cramptons Broadstairs.