A SOUTHEND property surveyor is set to star in a new prime time Channel 4 reality competition show, admitting it is the “best thing” that he has ever done.

Colin Horton, 34, will take centre stage in Selling Super Houses when it airs for the first time next Tuesday and described the show as a mix of Selling Sunset and The Apprentice.

The property surveyor, who grew up in Southchurch, is the co-founder of Project & Co, based in Wickford, as well as Westcliff firms Leasehold Social and Hortons Valuers.

The hour-long show, which airs at 9pm, sees Colin go head to head with aspiring property agents in a series of tasks to bag the job of a lifetime selling luxury properties for property magnate Paul Kemsley.

Although he cannot reveal too much, he said he did “pretty well”, despite it being hard work.

Colin said: “The show is fundamentally a mix of Selling Sunset and The Apprentice.

“I’m going up against the crème de la crème of property professionals across the country competing for this job at this luxury estate agency through a series of tasks in London and neighbouring counties.

“We filmed it last May and although I can’t say too much, it’s easily the best thing I’ve ever done and the whole show - cast and crew - were just amazing.”

The programme kicks off next Tuesday before running for the following six weeks.

The 34-year-old was already in Channel 4’s database after being set to make an appearance on First Dates, which fell through due to the pandemic.

As his description fit the brief, they called him up and got Colin to do eight rounds of auditions and sight tests.

He was thrilled to hear when casting directors got him confirmed as a contestant, but after the first week, Colin had second thoughts.

He added: “The first week, I thought: ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’

“I was trying to run my businesses at the same time.

“So, I was getting up at 4am, working until 7am and then filming from 8am to 8pm.

“It was a gruelling period.

“However, I stuck with it, and I’m pleased I did because I didn’t come from much growing up with my mum and sisters, and it’s proving to a 12-year-old me that anything is possible.”

Selling Super Houses starts on Tuesday, August 29, on Channel 4 at 9pm and will be available online on catch-up.