A new series of the Channel 4 competition recently took place in Northern Ireland, concluding with a payment day episode airing on Friday, October 2.
It saw Belfast city-centre luxury apartments owner Melissa criticise Enniskillen hotel owners Shaun and Aoife over their taste in decor. Having walked into her home for the night, she had commented: “It’s nice and bright,” before inspecting the panelling and wallpaper above the bed.
She said: “We’ve got panelling here, an LED light and this pattern here, there’s far too much going on, it’s a bit tacky.” She also rated them a low score of six for facilities, for a lack of fridge and coffee machine in her room.
“That’s disappointing,” the hosts had remarked at the time, before bringing up the issue around the payment day table. “I really hope there is some justification for these comments,” Shaun added.
During Friday’s episode, Aiofe asked Melissa about her “harsh” criticism of the decor, with Melissa replying: “It might have been your personal taste, but you need to keep it as neutral as possible.”
Shaun hit back: “I think the language, dated and tacky… there’s so many words available to us.” Melissa argued: “What I say is what I think.” Another contestant jumped in to say that Melissa didn’t need to use the word tacky, though she stood by her comment, saying she didn’t know what else to use to “describe three different patterns”.
“Busy,” Shaun quickly replied. Melissa said: “Tacky to me, I don’t think it’s that bad of a word.” “It’s too subjective,” Shaun added, saying: “It really undermined the value of the rest of the feedback.”
He went on: “An overall six is a hard score,” saying it was a “strategic” move of Melissa to underpay her competitors. He added to the cameras: “Feeding back in that way, it was low in quality, high in ego and that isn’t a set of characteristics that command respect.”
Melissa meanwhile said: “I never knew tacky was such an upsetting word.” Viewers jumped in to Shaun and Aiofe’s defence, with one writing: “Calling someone’s decor tacky is rude and untrue.”
Another called Melissa “awful” after her comments, while someone else said: “Oh shut up Mel! The decor might not be to your taste but it is not tacky, and a standard white bathroom is not dated. She really rates her own abilities.”
Another said that Mel “showed her true colours”, while someone else said Mel was “desperate to mark every B&B down just so she wins the competition”.
WE stroll along the soft sand, taking in the afternoon sun as the shallow waters wash over our feet.
Ahead of us, kids are tucking into ice creams, and along the harbour wall, a crowd is at the ready with crabbing lines, dangling them one by one into the sea.
Aerial view of Weymouth Bay and Weymouth Beach with the historic town center, colorful buildings, a bustling promenade, and boats in the harbor in WeyCredit: AlamyThe historic Nothe Fort in WeymouthCredit: Alamy
Here in Weymouth, on Dorset’s south coast, you get traditional amusement in, well, spades.
It is the quintessential Victorian resort, although its popularity dates back further, to King George III, whose first of many visits was in 1789 after doctors recommended sea bathing for his health.
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In those days, he would not have been able to enjoy the Pirate Ship or spinning Paratrooper now found on the sands.
Nor could he have sunk a cold beer from the many bars and restaurants along the esplanade.
Her loud and infectious laugh backs that up and it most definitely adds to the cheer of the place.
Stepping into her guesthouse is like stepping back in time. Every wall, tabletop, windowsill and mantelpiece features antique objects, as varied as voodoo-esque dolls, telescopes and ship steering wheels.
Many of them have come down the generations from her grandparents’ vintage shops round the capital.
Our room had a ship theme, which was fitting considering it has a lovely bay window with harbour views.
Being in such a prime location means it’s easy to potter around the town, with plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs on your doorstep.
For sheer portion size, a large cod and chips from Bennett’s fish and chip shop could probably do Mum, Dad and a couple of little’uns. It was pretty tasty too.
Or if you’re keen for a fancier version of this seaside staple, Catch At The Old Fish Market offers a fine dining experience with a tasting menu of fresh-caught local seafood.
For a proper good pint, the Old Rooms Inn sits just across the river from The Ocean Guesthouse and is reachable by Town Bridge, which opens up every so often for boats to pass. I’d recommend taking the novelty route and making the two-minute crossing by row boat.
For a more lengthy jaunt in the water, Weymouth And Portland Boat Trips offers hour-long adventures.
The colourful Weymouth harbourCredit: AlamyQuirky hotelier and former Londoner Maxine GilroyCredit: Supplied.
As the name suggests, we travelled from Weymouth quayside to Portland — which despite being an island, is connected to the mainland by Chesil beach.
Known for its quarries and white Portland limestone — which was used to build the likes of Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the British Museum — Portland is a gorgeous place to spend the day with shallow coves for swimming and sunsets to die for.
Keep your eyes peeled for the harbour — you may recognise it as the location that hosted the sailing events at the London 2012 Olympics, and regular contests still take place there.
On our journey, we saw Team USA practising windsurfing in preparation for the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships, which took place this month.
If you prefer to stick to dry land, then Nothe Fort, a ten-minute walk from the guesthouse, is a must.
Built in the 1860s, the building is as fascinating as what’s inside.
Kids will love it too, even if they aren’t into history — there are ramparts and tunnels to explore, military outfits to try on and cannons fired from the parade ground.
Exhibitions run throughout the year and special events take place during October half-term, too, with daily “mouse hunts”, spooky bingo and pumpkin golf.
Four in a Bed viewers furious over contestant’s ‘tacky’ comment
Four in a Bed viewers jumped to the defence of one team after comments made by another contestant.
Melissa’s comments left viewers furious (Image: Channel 4)
Four in a Bed viewers have been left furious over one contestant’s feedback.
A new series of the Channel 4 competition recently took place in Northern Ireland, concluding with a payment day episode airing on Friday, October 2.
It saw Belfast city-centre luxury apartments owner Melissa criticise Enniskillen hotel owners Shaun and Aoife over their taste in decor. Having walked into her home for the night, she had commented: “It’s nice and bright,” before inspecting the panelling and wallpaper above the bed.
She said: “We’ve got panelling here, an LED light and this pattern here, there’s far too much going on, it’s a bit tacky.” She also rated them a low score of six for facilities, for a lack of fridge and coffee machine in her room.
“That’s disappointing,” the hosts had remarked at the time, before bringing up the issue around the payment day table. “I really hope there is some justification for these comments,” Shaun added.
During Friday’s episode, Aiofe asked Melissa about her “harsh” criticism of the decor, with Melissa replying: “It might have been your personal taste, but you need to keep it as neutral as possible.”
Shaun hit back: “I think the language, dated and tacky… there’s so many words available to us.” Melissa argued: “What I say is what I think.” Another contestant jumped in to say that Melissa didn’t need to use the word tacky, though she stood by her comment, saying she didn’t know what else to use to “describe three different patterns”.
“Busy,” Shaun quickly replied. Melissa said: “Tacky to me, I don’t think it’s that bad of a word.” “It’s too subjective,” Shaun added, saying: “It really undermined the value of the rest of the feedback.”
He went on: “An overall six is a hard score,” saying it was a “strategic” move of Melissa to underpay her competitors. He added to the cameras: “Feeding back in that way, it was low in quality, high in ego and that isn’t a set of characteristics that command respect.”
Melissa meanwhile said: “I never knew tacky was such an upsetting word.” Viewers jumped in to Shaun and Aiofe’s defence, with one writing: “Calling someone’s decor tacky is rude and untrue.”
Another called Melissa “awful” after her comments, while someone else said: “Oh shut up Mel! The decor might not be to your taste but it is not tacky, and a standard white bathroom is not dated. She really rates her own abilities.”
Another said that Mel “showed her true colours”, while someone else said Mel was “desperate to mark every B&B down just so she wins the competition”.
Four in A Bed is available to watch on Channel 4
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I stayed in the quintessential seaside town in a B&B that starred on TV
WE stroll along the soft sand, taking in the afternoon sun as the shallow waters wash over our feet.
Ahead of us, kids are tucking into ice creams, and along the harbour wall, a crowd is at the ready with crabbing lines, dangling them one by one into the sea.
Here in Weymouth, on Dorset’s south coast, you get traditional amusement in, well, spades.
It is the quintessential Victorian resort, although its popularity dates back further, to King George III, whose first of many visits was in 1789 after doctors recommended sea bathing for his health.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
In those days, he would not have been able to enjoy the Pirate Ship or spinning Paratrooper now found on the sands.
Nor could he have sunk a cold beer from the many bars and restaurants along the esplanade.
WAIL OF A TIME
I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands
TEMPTED?
Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights
He might, however, have been able to enjoy a donkey ride, a traditional seaside treat that’s still on offer here.
I was staying at The Ocean Guesthouse, just steps from the main beach — and its quirky nature (and owner) set it apart from the crowd.
Hotelier and former Londoner Maxine Gilroy has previously appeared on Channel 4’s reality B&B competition Four In A Bed where she was likened to TV characters Pat Butcher and Peggy Mitchell.
Her loud and infectious laugh backs that up and it most definitely adds to the cheer of the place.
Stepping into her guesthouse is like stepping back in time. Every wall, tabletop, windowsill and mantelpiece features antique objects, as varied as voodoo-esque dolls, telescopes and ship steering wheels.
Many of them have come down the generations from her grandparents’ vintage shops round the capital.
Our room had a ship theme, which was fitting considering it has a lovely bay window with harbour views.
Being in such a prime location means it’s easy to potter around the town, with plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs on your doorstep.
For sheer portion size, a large cod and chips from Bennett’s fish and chip shop could probably do Mum, Dad and a couple of little’uns. It was pretty tasty too.
Or if you’re keen for a fancier version of this seaside staple, Catch At The Old Fish Market offers a fine dining experience with a tasting menu of fresh-caught local seafood.
For a proper good pint, the Old Rooms Inn sits just across the river from The Ocean Guesthouse and is reachable by Town Bridge, which opens up every so often for boats to pass. I’d recommend taking the novelty route and making the two-minute crossing by row boat.
For a more lengthy jaunt in the water, Weymouth And Portland Boat Trips offers hour-long adventures.
As the name suggests, we travelled from Weymouth quayside to Portland — which despite being an island, is connected to the mainland by Chesil beach.
Known for its quarries and white Portland limestone — which was used to build the likes of Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the British Museum — Portland is a gorgeous place to spend the day with shallow coves for swimming and sunsets to die for.
Keep your eyes peeled for the harbour — you may recognise it as the location that hosted the sailing events at the London 2012 Olympics, and regular contests still take place there.
On our journey, we saw Team USA practising windsurfing in preparation for the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships, which took place this month.
If you prefer to stick to dry land, then Nothe Fort, a ten-minute walk from the guesthouse, is a must.
Built in the 1860s, the building is as fascinating as what’s inside.
Kids will love it too, even if they aren’t into history — there are ramparts and tunnels to explore, military outfits to try on and cannons fired from the parade ground.
Exhibitions run throughout the year and special events take place during October half-term, too, with daily “mouse hunts”, spooky bingo and pumpkin golf.
Even King George III would approve of that.
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