Wannabe Castaways apply in droves

The original Castaways have proved an inspiration

Thousands of people have already applied to take part in the next series of the BBC's Castaway programme - less than a week after the inaugural experiment came to an end.

Makers of the year-long project, which marooned 36 volunteers on a remote Hebridean island, have received more than 14,000 e-mails since inviting new applicants.

Producer Jeremy Mills said he had received so many requests for application forms that the system had almost ground to a halt.

The next series is going to be about different aspects of life but we are not going to tell them what to expect

Producer Jeremy Mills

A team of researchers is now sifting through the pile of names wanting to leave the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The first set of Castaways were watched coping - unaided by mod cons - with the harsh conditions of the island of Taransay, off Scotland.

Details of the second series are being kept secret. What is known is that it will only last five weeks.

Highs and lows

However, Mills said the second series would follow the format of the first.

"We will be taking people out of their normal lives into an extraordinary situation of some sort so that they face aspects of life which are important.

Ben Fogle became a heart throb for viewers

He then added: "Castaway 2000 was about community living, what luxuries were important and how one achieves job satisfaction.

"The next series is going to be about different aspects of life but we are not going to tell them what to expect."

Out of the 36 islanders who began the first social experiment last year, only 29 saw things through to the end.

The year-long programme witnessed incredible highs and lows, with acrimonious departures in the case of some, and others finding love on the island.

Life on the five-mile long island contrasted greatly with city living.

Taransay has no trees and is buffeted by 100 mph winds and storm force seas from September to May.

And the islanders, chosen to reflect a microcosm of British society, had only limited resources.

However, by the end of the year many of the group were sorry to leave and were apprehensive about returning to their former lives.