Ex-SAS specialist, Mark Wales has won the title of Sole Survivor and $500,000 in the Australian Survivor: Blood V Water grand finale on 10.
The final 4 for Australian Survivor: Blood V Water were Chrissy (Individual immunity wins: 0), Josh (Individual immunity wins: 2), Mark (Individual immunity wins: 2), and Shay (Individual immunity wins: 3).
After Shay won immunity in an endurance challenge that saw the final four holding their own weight over a waterfall, Josh was the final member of the tribe voted out and sent to join the jury. The final three made their pitches to the jury, and after some emotional family reunions, Mark was declared the winner by unanimous vote.
Mark was last seen on Australian Survivor Season 2, where he formed a power couple with fellow castaway Sam – who he played alongside in Blood V Water. The two fell in love, were married in 2019 and have a son together. Last time Mark played Survivor, he thought being fit and strong would be enough to go far in the game, but he quickly realised this was not the case and that his social game would need to improve.
Mark had been near the top of Sportsbet’s Survivor markets since day one and was favourite to win the finale. Wales lead Survivor Blood vs. Water betting at $1.15, with Shay the second favourite at $8.00. Josh was at $13 and Chrissy rounded out the final four at $17.
Blood v Water was filmed in Queensland, this time heading to North Queensland’s Charters Towers, 134 km south-east of Townsville, for season seven.
Produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Network 10 and supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, this latest series is expected to deliver $12.6 million for the state’s economy and employ 170 Queenslanders.
In 2021, the Survivor: Brains V Brawn finale had 785,000 viewers (923,000 for winners announcement) as Hayley was crowned Sole Survivor and won $500,000. The winner’s announcement was the top segment across all key demographics.
Earlier this year, Mediaweek spoke with the show’s executive producer, Tim Ali, about the new format, the new location, and the fact that the show will be featuring Survivor royalty.
See More: How 10 is turning Australian Survivor on its head with Blood v Water
“We’re really trying to bring all the best themes to the Australian show,” said Ali. “What really excites me about Blood v Water is that everyone can relate to this gameplay and that initiates so many conversations for the audience at home. No matter who you’re watching it with. You’re constantly putting yourself in the contestant’s shoes and asking, oh, what would you do?”