Scared of the Dark is a British reality television series broadcast on Channel 4. Presented by Danny Dyer, the series follows eight contestants as they live in complete darkness for eight days. The first series of five episodes aired over five consecutive nights from 16–20 April 2023.
| Scared of the Dark | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Presented by | Danny Dyer |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 5 [1] |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Simone Haywood Jon Cahn Glenn Hugill |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 59 minutes |
| Production companies | Multistory Media Possessed |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 16 April – 20 April 2023 |
Format
editDescribed as a "world first",[1] eight celebrity contestants spend 180 hours (8 days) living, completing tasks, eating and sleeping in complete darkness in a specially built set.
Danny Dyer presented the show accompanied by clinical psychiatrist, Dr Tharaka Gunarathne, who monitored the contestants and analysed their activities.[2]
In a way compared to the exit strategy of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, the participants could shout "I'm scared of the dark" at any time, to leave a task, or the show.[1]
In a nod to Big Brother's 'Diary Room', the celebrities could chat to a camera in a dimly lit room called 'The Vault'.[2]
Production
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The show was recorded in September 2022, in a specially built set inside an airship hangar at Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire. The hangar is owned by Cardington Studios and has been used as a set for other films and television shows.[3]
Fifty infra red cameras were installed on the set to film the series.[3]
Contestants underwent mental health screening prior to entering, were monitored by a mental health practitioner during the programme and were offered support afterwards.[4]
Contestants
editEight contestants entered the building:[5]
| Celebrity | Age on entry | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Nicola Adams | 40 | Former boxer |
| Chloe Burrows | 27 | Former Love Island contestant |
| Chris Eubank | 56 | Former super-middleweight boxer |
| Paul Gascoigne | 55 | Former England footballer |
| Max George | 34 | Lead singer of The Wanted |
| Chris McCausland | 45 | Comedian |
| Scarlett Moffatt | 32 | Television personality, former Gogglebox star |
| Donna Preston | 36 | Actor, writer and comedian |
Eubank left the show in episode 4, after having arguments with a number of the other participants and subsequently withdrawing from group activities.[citation needed]
Max George left the show two days before the end (broadcast on 20 April) after dwelling on the memories of his late bandmate, Tom Parker, and declaring "Being in the dark isn’t nice. I’m going to go home today and start fixing a few things".[6]
The final episode on 20 April saw Paul Gascoigne declared winner of the series,[7] following a vote by the remaining celebrities.
Critical reception
editThe Guardian reviewer gave only 1 out of 5 stars for the opening programme, describing it as "Boring, derivative and occasionally downright horrible ...filled largely with stupid, boring challenges; contemptuous and derivative in the extreme".[2]
The Independent reviewer gave 4 out of 5 stars for the programme, though bemoaned that the tasks distracted from the interpersonal dynamics and the "psychological torture of being locked in a room with Chris Eubank". The reviewer thought "Channel 4 may just have stumbled on a winning formula".[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Ure, Beth (16 April 2023). "Tempting Fortune cast: Contestants in Channel 4 series, what time it's next on and how many episodes there are". Liverpool Echo. Liverpool. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b c Mangan, Lucy (16 April 2023). "Scared of the Dark review – the stupidest reality show of all time". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b Ross, Steven (17 April 2023). "Where is Scared of the Dark filmed? Filming locations for Channel 4 game show hosted by Danny Dyer". National World. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ Akinwumi, Stella (17 April 2023). "Scared of the Dark branded 'damaging' as celebrities spend 8 days in darkness". Metro. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ Winston, Fran (15 April 2023). "Scared of the Dark cast: Who is taking part in Channel 4 series?". Express. London. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ Akinwumi, Stella (20 April 2023). "Max George quits Scared of the Dark days before finale after 'struggling' with experiment". Metro. London. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Ellie (21 April 2023). "Paul Gascoigne says he's become a 'better person' as he's crowned winner of Scared of the Dark". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Hilton, Nick (16 April 2023). "Scared of the Dark review: The psychological torture of being locked in a room with Chris Eubank is TV gold". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.