The Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom star faced his fear of heights to fly a small plane and complete 360-degree loops and twists in preparation for an aerobatic competition during the series.

Elba admits the stunt was most challenging part of his daredevil show and it left him feeling unwell, telling Britain's The Sun newspaper, "Aerobatics is the scariest part. Flying a plane and doing the loops - the effect on the body is unbelievable. I'm eating sugar (after the flight) because my body is a bit trembly.

"I haven't been sick yet but I know that feeling... It's like being on a rollercoaster but worse. There's no rails and there's no stop. That's a really difficult one to deal with... It felt like, 'What the f**k am I doing?'

"I felt like I was going to pass out. I've never felt G-force before... I also felt the reason why I'm doing it - I felt I will come out of it feeling different... It's one of the most difficult things I've attempted in my career."

Elba also takes on rally driving and attempts to break a land speed record in the new show, which airs in the U.K. from Monday (06Jul15).