Celebrity Hunted has made its much-anticipated return to Channel 4, and viewers are thrilled. The show, which sees celebrities going on the run to avoid capture by expert hunters, aired its first episode of the new series, prompting a wave of reactions on social media.
Fans Express Excitement
Almost immediately, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their joy. One wrote, "So happy Celebrity Hunted is back," while another added, "The best time of the year is back and I can't wait." Others chimed in with "We are so back," "Bring it on!" and simply "Finally."
A long-time viewer noted, "Great to have a new series of Celebrity Hunted! It's a show that even after 11 years on air (*civilian and celeb series*) it's always a must watch. It seems like the civilian series is now aired every 16/22 months. @Channel4 any news about a 2027 civilian series?" Another fan joked, "If I ever become a celebrity, Celebrity Hunted better still be around. It looks like so much fun."
New Celebrity Line-Up
The new series, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, features a diverse group of celebrities. Among them are Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, EastEnders' Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy, TV siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas, Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran, presenters and disability advocates JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan, and comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth. They are all trying to evade capture by Ray Howard and his team.
The Challenge Ahead
The celebrities have been tasked with vanishing into mainland Britain, cutting themselves off from their lives and fame. According to a synopsis, "For 14 relentless days they must stay hidden, think fast and trust no one because the moment they leave a trail, the hunt is on."
Pursuing them is Ray Howard and his elite team of Hunters drawn from policing, military and intelligence backgrounds. They have the full arsenal of the modern state at their disposal including CCTV, ANPR, Facial Recognition, helicopters, drones, search dogs, cyber investigations and media appeals. Every clue, every sighting and every mistake can mean a capture.
Viewers Question Authenticity
While many were delighted, some viewers expressed skepticism. One questioned whether the show is "set up" after the opening sequence, which saw the stars being tracked by helicopters. They asked, "Has there ever been a more set up show? As if the flight plans for these 3 helicopters weren't submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) weeks ago and are all flying at the legal mandated speed, height and distance between them in London."
Another joked, "Obsessed with how fake this is now," and one wondered, "Hang on... heading east when the lone heli stops the pair but that looks suspiciously like Westminster Bridge under them even though they've just flown over the city..."
Celebrity Hunted is airing on Channel 4.
