This run of episodes in Darlington is not one of the weeks available to view on the Channel 4 website. (as of March 2024).
Ricky Ashcroft was another contestant who was disillusioned with the series after appearing on it, posting several videos about his experience on TikTok during 2023.
Ricky claimed that he "almost walked off" during the second day of filming, where he realised that the show's production team wanted to manipulate fake drama. Maintaining that he had remained friends with all four contestants, Ricky stated that his only issues were with the technical crew, who he also claimed "trashed" his house.
Of the artifice, then Ricky stated that the contestants would have to wait around outside each house for "about three hours", while each individual entrance was filmed. Conversations were said to be prompted, while "real" conversations weren't filmed, and the "taxi" home was a van with one seat and a large camera. Ashcroft was particularly dismayed that he'd been encouraged to "play up" to the cameras, and didn't think that the show represented him as he really is - he was also hurt by the commentary mocking his music.
With multiple contestants alleging that the hours of filming were long, Ricky stated that the filming days were 4pm-4am, before contestants were dropped off home and then picked up again the following day at 8am to record reactions to the previous night. His personal belief was that this was deliberate, to ensure that guests were tired and therefore more likely to argue.
Ricky claimed that he "almost walked off" during the second day of filming, where he realised that the show's production team wanted to manipulate fake drama. Maintaining that he had remained friends with all four contestants, Ricky stated that his only issues were with the technical crew, who he also claimed "trashed" his house.
Of the artifice, then Ricky stated that the contestants would have to wait around outside each house for "about three hours", while each individual entrance was filmed. Conversations were said to be prompted, while "real" conversations weren't filmed, and the "taxi" home was a van with one seat and a large camera. Ashcroft was particularly dismayed that he'd been encouraged to "play up" to the cameras, and didn't think that the show represented him as he really is - he was also hurt by the commentary mocking his music.
With multiple contestants alleging that the hours of filming were long, Ricky stated that the filming days were 4pm-4am, before contestants were dropped off home and then picked up again the following day at 8am to record reactions to the previous night. His personal belief was that this was deliberate, to ensure that guests were tired and therefore more likely to argue.
Neil Hocking is a butcher visited by Ricky for his chicken meat.
Although many episodes have the contestants on first name terms with food traders, which is of questionable plausibility, their full names are not usually revealed. However, in this instance the full shop title of Hocking's shop can be plainly seen.
Although many episodes have the contestants on first name terms with food traders, which is of questionable plausibility, their full names are not usually revealed. However, in this instance the full shop title of Hocking's shop can be plainly seen.