Barack Obama to be taught survival skills by Bear Grylls on NBC's 'Running Wild'

Obama will travel to Alaska to highlight the effects of climate change

(Associated Press/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

US President Barack Obama is to be put through his paces in Alaska by survival expert Bear Grylls for a special edition of NBC’s “Running Wild with Bear Grylls”, the broadcaster has confirmed.

The episode, which will air later this year, is intended to draw attention to the effects of climate change in Alaska.

Obama will become the world’s first leader to be given survival skills coaching by the British adventurer, whose US TV series “Running Wild” is now in its second season.

The US President joins an already confirmed star-studded line-up including Kate Winslet, Michael B Jordan, Kate Hudson and Michelle Rodriguez.

Bear Grylls will teach the President survivalist skills (Getty)

Previous guests who have appeared on the show to push their survival skills to the limits include Zac Efron, Channing Tatum and Ben Stiller.

President Obama has previously appeared as himself in only a few TV documentaries, including David Attenborough Meets President Obama, The Diamond Queen, and, most recently, Caitlyn Jenner’s I Am Cait.