Mel and Karen, stars of the Channel 5 show Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday, were forced to abandon a lavish seven-course dinner at a top Lisbon restaurant due to medical issues and dietary preferences. The pair, who are best friends from Middlesbrough, were experiencing a luxury holiday as part of the show's experiment, which contrasts the holidays of families from different financial backgrounds.
A Tale of Two Holidays
The episode, which aired on Sunday (May 10), followed Mel and Karen, who live on Universal Credit, alongside successful lawyer Paul and his close friend Sophie. The two families travelled to Lisbon, Portugal, to experience each other's idea of the perfect getaway. While Paul and Sophie are accustomed to high-end holidays, including a £55,000 trip to the Bahamas, Mel and Karen typically opt for budget breaks, with their cheapest holiday costing just £49 for four days.
The Fine Dining Experience
The luxury portion of the trip began with a visit to one of Lisbon's finest restaurants, where the bill was £250 per person for a seven-course meal. However, the evening quickly turned sour. Mel and Karen are not fans of seafood, and the entire menu featured fish. Additionally, the small portions typical of fine dining proved problematic for Mel, who requires regular meals due to her medication.
Despite their efforts to engage, half an hour into the meal, the pair had only reached course three of seven and had clearly lost interest. Mel and Karen decided to leave midway through, opting instead for a McDonald's. Mel apologised, saying, "So, I'm gonna have to leave you, I'm so sorry." She later explained to the camera, "I had to leave because I had some meds that were due and I needed to take them."
Reactions and Aftermath
Paul expressed disappointment, stating, "It was a shame they had to go because I really enjoy their company." He then turned to Sophie and joked, "Right, then. And then there were two." Reflecting on the food, Paul noted, "I don't think Karen would have eaten this." Karen later admitted, "I physically just could not sit there any longer and eat any more of that food." Mel laughed as she revealed, "I woke up to Karen eating a McDonald's in bed."
The episode highlights the challenges faced by individuals with specific dietary needs and medical conditions when navigating high-end dining experiences. Fans can stream Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday on Channel 5.
