Overview

• Comedian Joe Wilkinson said producers searched his luggage for recording devices or illegal substances before filming and that he objected before complying.
• Contestants were housed on a single guarded floor at a budget Courtyard by Marriott, with curfews, confiscated mobiles and production phones issued for emergencies.
• Alan Carr posted a tongue‑in‑cheek video about an early on‑screen twist and publicly asked a fellow contestant for forgiveness, prompting a wry reply.
• Multiple outlets report each celebrity received a flat £40,000 fee to take part, a departure from the civilian edition’s daily expenses-only model.
• Reports say the BBC accelerated broadcast to under five months after the May shoot to reduce leak risks, with the launch drawing about 6.5 million viewers.