Bulgaria ‘Survivor’ contestant dies while filming

updated 11:44 p.m. ET May 31, 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine police say a contestant of the Bulgarian reality show "Survivor" has died of a heart attack while filming on an island beach.

Police say the 53-year-old Noncho Vodenicharov died Saturday despite efforts by a Filipino and a Bulgarian doctor to save him.

Chief Inspector Hilario Lelis Are said Monday that Vodenicharov had just finished an activity for the contest at the Gota Beach Resort in Caramoan township in eastern Camarines Sur province.

Bulgarian news reports say he was a town mayor and a former stunt man and singer.

"Survivor" originated in the U.S. but other countries have created their own versions of the popular show. Contestants compete in a variety of tough physical challenges until there is a sole winner.

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