“Very sad to learn of Bernard's death.
He was a man in love with nature, a great sportsman adept at long-term challenges, ”writes Denis Brogniart on Twitter from French Polynesia, where he is currently filming the next All Stars edition.
Bernard, 69, was “the retiree” of “Koh-Lanta” 2012 which took place in Malaysia.
Adventure Line Productions, which manufactures this survival program, also paid tribute to him: “It is with sadness that we learn of the death of Bernard, distinguished adventurer.
All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
We offer them our sincere condolences.
"
Very sad to learn of the death of Bernard, adventurer of #KohLanta who reached the final and the orienteering test in 2012 in Malaysia.
He was a man in love with nature, a great sportsman adept at long-term challenges.
He had done Paris Dakar on a scooter.
#rip pic.twitter.com/XG2BPLMb91
- Denis Brogniart (@DenisBrogniart) May 16, 2021
In bad shape on many occasions, Bernard had nevertheless reached the orienteering test, just before that of the posts.
This former nature guide had above all won an immunity test, taking 51 minutes on the game of the star, more than Ugo, the winner of the season.
“Despite his 60 years, he had impressed us all, underlines Javier, former opponent.
This man commanded respect.
He was a great adventurer.
He had also embarked on the Paris-Dakar on ... a scooter.
Another distinctive element: Bernard did not know how to swim very well.
This could have handicapped him, especially when the candidates jumped from a helicopter to reach their camp.
"He was always listening, always in a good mood"
Among his relatives, there is Nadine, who started the adventure with him by staying four days on the island of the banished, before joining the red team. She called him "Ber". “He was a very zen person, very cool, no problem,” recalls her ex-teammate. He was also very natural, very green. On the island of the banished, he had yelled at Philippe who was destroying all the trees. He told her he had to respect them. "And she adds:" With Bernard, we were having a good time. He always had a crisp anecdote. He was always listening, always in a good mood. He was a straight guy in his boots. "
Sara, from the same edition, also has a note for the one she nicknamed "Papé".
“Bernard was a very courageous, extremely courageous man who never rested,” she says.
He even went to look for food and drink for the young people.
He was not a strategist.
He was uneventful, always positive.
She was a beautiful person.
An old loner too.
"
Only Nadine kept in touch with Bertrand from afar.
“He did not participate in our Koh-pains weekends, between former castaways.
He had turned the page.
But we called each other for Christmas, New Years and our birthdays.
A year after the broadcast of the show, Nadine learns that he is ill, without further details.
“He didn't talk about it,” she says.
He just told me that he was fighting a bunch of sickness and felt strong.
"
