In civilian life, the one who plays the essential Father Fouras in Fort Boyard is also a producer and creator of games for Koh-Lanta. An unexpected job for Yann Le Gac who started his career as a principal dancer.
It’s unusual but very true, the famous Father Fouras is the one who invented one of the most famous events of Koh-Lanta: the posts. Asked on June 4, 2021 on Europe 1, Alexia Laroche-Joubert, president of Adventure Line Production (which produces Fort Boyard and Koh-Lanta) confided that Yann Le Gac, “the creator of most of Koh-Lanta’s games” got the idea when he saw flamingos standing on one foot. “We are the only country to systematically end a season with the pole test and it is true that it is iconic” she specifies.
However, Yann Le Gac is also the one who has been hiding under the disguise of Father Fouras of Fort Boyard since 1991. Under his latex hood, his beard and his long hair, Le Gac is above all a former dancer turned actor. Against the advice of his working parents, he embarked on dance studies then joined a classical dance company before being noticed by the producer and agent Dominique Besnehard who advised him to turn to comedy. The Gac then landed roles in the theater and on television, including that of the famous puzzle maker of Fort Boyard. “Initially, it was only to last a summer. And I have been playing Father Fouras for twenty years. Today, Father Fouras is, so to speak, part of the walls” confided the one who is now 67 years old at Figaro.
Another Koh-Lanta and Fort Boyard crossover to come
Thanks to his contacts on television, he was recruited as a producer and creator of games at Adventure Line Productions which launched the concept of Koh Lanta in 2001 on TF1. It was during the second season that he got the idea of the pole test after observing flamingos perched on one foot. It is also the candidates of this season 2, Amel and Nicolas, who still hold the record of 5 hours and 16 minutes spent on their pole.
Back on France 2 since Saturday, June 19, 2021, Fort Boyard should welcome this season a recent candidate from Koh-Lanta who had greatly pleased Internet users: Vincent. This last one had not arrived until the test of the poles but will have the chance to meet the one who invented it!