Celebrity Hunted

Celebrity Hunted is undeniably scripted, contrived, and edited to within an inch of its life, but somehow, it still manages to be thoroughly entertaining. It’s one of those shows you need to approach with the same playful mindset you'd reserve for one of Daniel Craig’s more outlandish James Bond missions. Sure, the star power is a bit lacking — podcasters David Whitely and Zeze Millz, along with Christine McGuinness, may not be household names for many viewers. But on the flip side, we do get Giovanni Pernice, confidently declaring himself the villain of the show, and honestly, that’s enough to keep things fun. At its heart, Hunted remains captivating.

The idea of a nationwide manhunt taps into something we all secretly fantasize about — the thrill of the chase, the chance to outwit your pursuers, and the rush of evading capture. It’s this very concept that makes the show so endlessly watchable. That said, one of the major drawbacks is the pantomime-style acting at Hunted HQ. While we get that the characters are supposed to be ex-detectives and we're not expecting award-winning performances or impeccable comedic timing, the over-the-top theatrics can feel a bit much at times.

A touch more subtlety would go a long way. That being said, Ray ‘The Chief’ Howard’s quip about the “last of the Targaryen’s” regarding blondes Danielle and Kimberly did manage to give me a laugh.

I also appreciated the addition of The Chief’s new sidekick, Steve Hersee, who brought a nice dynamic to the team. The fake TV news reports? Completely unnecessary. They feel a bit forced, and I’m honestly hoping for a version of Hunted that unfolds in real-time, without these artificial distractions. Still, it’s worth remembering that behind all the drama, everyone is participating in support of Stand Up To Cancer UK, which gives the show a deeper, more meaningful purpose.

Oh, and there were some genuinely heartfelt moments between Blue's Duncan Scott and the aforementioned Christine, which added a refreshing emotional layer to the show.

I also couldn't help but love how cheeky Kai Widdrington is — that man is a natural on-screen, and honestly, he deserves far more screentime on Strictly. I’m all for seeing more of him!