Celebrity Hunted contestants Jen Brister and Laura Smyth were eliminated from the Channel 4 show after just seven days, leaving viewers baffled by their quick surrender.
The duo were caught just minutes into Monday's (August 17) episode after spending the night in a Yorkshire hotel. They had checked out and were enjoying an ice cream break in a park when the hunters, led by Ray Howard, closed in.
Fans React to Quick Capture
Unlike other contestants, Jen and Laura did not attempt to run away and simply accepted defeat. Fans took to social media to express their confusion. One X, formerly Twitter, user said: "That was kind of easy #celebrityhunted," while a second added: "#CelebrityHunted How are you just buying an ice cream cone out in the open of course they caught you."
Others found the scene comical, with one fan sharing: "Wow Jen Brister & Laura Smyth didn't even try to run did they, were they glued to that bench [laughing emojis] #CelebrityHunted." Another viewer penned: "The way Jen and Laura were caught was so confusing. They didn't even attempt to escape when the hunters closed in at the park. Did they... want to get caught? #CelebrityHunted."
Series Line-Up and Cause
The new season, which returned earlier this month, challenges a group of celebrities to go on the run and stay hidden from expert hunters. The line-up includes Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu, EastEnders' Brian Conley, and comedian Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy. Love Island duo Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran have already been captured.
The hunters, led by Ray Howard, have backgrounds in policing, military, and intelligence, and use everything from CCTV to helicopters and search dogs in their pursuit.
Laura, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, said: "It's been so fun. 'Cause I'm a breast cancer survivor, I hope any woman or man watching this that's at that point of early diagnosis, which feels so scary, is looking at me, running around the countryside with this legend, and saying: 'There is life after cancer.'"
The series is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer and airs every Monday at 9pm on Channel 4, where it is also available to stream.
