Scared of the Dark (TV series)

Scared of the Dark was a British reality television series broadcast on Channel 4, which premiered on 16 April 2023 and was hosted by Danny Dyer.

Scared of the Dark
Genre
Presented byDanny Dyer
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes5 [1]
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time59 minutes
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release16 April (2023-04-16) –
20 April 2023 (2023-04-20)

Format

Described 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
Airship hangar at Cardington Airfield

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

Eight 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.[6]

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".[7]

The final episode on 20 April saw Paul Gascoigne declared winner of the series,[8] following a vote by the remaining celebrities.

Critical reception

The 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".[9]

References
  1. 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. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  2. "Scared of the Dark review – the stupidest reality show of all time". The Guardian. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  3. 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. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  4. Akinwumi, Stella (17 April 2023). "Scared of the Dark branded 'damaging' as celebrities spend 8 days in darkness". Metro. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  5. Winston, Fran (15 April 2023). "Scared of the Dark cast: Who is taking part in Channel 4 series?". Express. London. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  6. "Scared Of The Dark: Chris Eubank QUITS the show". NY Breaking. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  7. Akinwumi, Stella (20 April 2023). "Max George quits Scared of the Dark days before finale after 'struggling' with experiment". Metro. London. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  8. 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. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  9. 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. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
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