Comedian Matt Richardson has revealed that he wanted to be voted off Celebrity Coach Trip within days because the pay was a flat fee regardless of how long he stayed. The former Xtra Factor host disclosed that he received £12,000 for his six-day appearance on the Channel 4 show in 2022.
Flat Fee Motivation
Richardson, who appeared alongside Big Brother host Will Best, explained on TikTok that the show offered a set fee with no winning bonus. He said: "Coach Trip was just a set fee no matter how long you were in it – no winning bonus. Um, so me and Will Best were like, 'Well, the less we're in this, the better it is for us. Like, I'm not staying out here for three weeks, let's get home, mate'."
Negotiation Details
Richardson shared that he negotiated his fee up from an initial offer of £5,000. "They came in and originally offered something like five and I know that a couple of the others were on three or four grand because they mentioned it," he said. He added that cast members did not discuss fees openly during filming: "But we weren't really talking about our fees together on the show. Because I don't know these people, I wouldn't really talk about money as openly and be like, 'I'm getting this' when you're with them, you know, that would be weird. Like this, in hindsight, I think is a little bit easier."
Celebrity Lineup
The pair featured alongside celebrities including Linda Robson, Honey G, Paul Danan, and Sophie Kasaei. At the time, Richardson expressed enthusiasm for the adventure, stating: "I can't wait to spend a holiday on a coach filled with celebs. It's what I normally do, so filming it just makes sense!" Will Best added: "The chance to go on holiday with a mate, meet the icon that is Brendan (the tour guide), AND clear my rent arrears, all in one fell swoop? Yes please! Although if no one from Bananarama is on board I'm kicking off."
