For the fifth series, two separate groups are abandoned at opposite ends of a remote uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean. The 16 Islanders face extreme tropical weather, limited resources and environmental hazards - with none of the home comforts everyone relies upon. The first group of castaways are wealthy professionals living off an average income of £100,000 a year - a wage earned by a fraction of Brits. The opposite group of castaways earn below the UK national average wage. The series sets out to look at the issue of wealth disparity, and whether living with vastly different economic circumstances at home has an influence on our ability to cope in the wild. When challenged to start again from nothing, who is better equipped to thrive?

In the hope of finding much-needed food, Barnes decides to risk strong currents and riptides on a journey by raft to a nearby island. Both camps remain resolved to live apart. But driven by desperation, Barnes invites his less wealthy neighbours on the expedition. Mercedes, already struggling with hunger and exhaustion, is unable to help around camp, placing her relationship with her teammates on a knife-edge. Her shock decision to join Barnes' voyage has disastrous consequences.