Good evening and welcome to the draw for the second round of World's Hardest Creature XI, coming to you LIVE from Springwatch's den deep in Withdean Woods. Michaela will be keeping a tight grip on the legendary velvet bag and Gillian and Martin will be doing the honours, rummaging for destiny. Before we move on let's take a moment to reflect on the group stages.
Two surprises confounded the WHC faithful, with the early departure of former champ the Mantis Shrimp and the inexplicable rise of the Basset Hound. However, a VAR referral led to the Basset Hound receiving a yellow card and it is now on notice. Unless some form of justification for its presence in the second round is offered up the Basset faces disqualification. WHC's uneasy courtship with new technology continues...
The Great White carried the day, winning more votes than any other contender in the opening round although it was closely pursued by the Salt Water Crocodile. The Black Swallower and Hippopotamus completed the top four with defending champion, the Honey Badger coming home safely in fifth, carrying the flame for exclusively land based hard-nuts everywhere.
And so on we go. Numbers to look out for in the draw feature 7 for current darling the Bobbit Worm, 16 for microscopic mentalist the Tardigrade and fancied furry howler the Grasshopper Mouse comes in at 8. Michaela? Team? Away you go...
