Hunted

A Celebrity Hunted star had to head to hospital while on the run only for the hunters to soon arrive

Celebrity Hunted took an emotional turn when a star on the programme had to attend hospital following their cancer battle.

The Channel 4 show – which sees stars going on the run and trying to stay hidden as they are hunted by experts – returned to screens for its new series earlier this month.

The show’s latest run, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, sees celebs such as Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, EastEnders‘ Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy and TV star siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas trying to hide from the Hunters.

And on Tuesday (August 11) another episode aired, in which Amy had to head to a hospital in Birmingham for the preventive cancer treatment that she has monthly.

The star announced in May 2023 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and she went on to have a mastectomy and chemotherapy.

On the way to the hospital, Amy said: “I’m at a higher risk of the cancer returning because of my age.” Carlos then broke down in tears and explained: “It just brought me back to the time where you suffered but you always had the biggest smile on your face.”

Amy and Carlos then arrived at the appointment and Amy had to have an injection in her stomach. She said: “It’s getting more and more sore every time I have them now.” Amy then told Carlos: “Look at the size of this needle, look how thick that is.”

Before having the injection, Amy said: “I fall asleep sometimes after, because the treatment can make me feel so drowsy.” Watching the injection, Carlos then proclaimed: “Oh my gosh!”

The hunters soon found out about Amy and Carlos being in hospital and quickly headed over. Fortunately, the pair managed to make an escape from the hospital. While in the car though Amy revealed she was feeling “really tired” and the pair quickly headed to a local hotel so Amy could rest.

Meanwhile last week, Amy broke down in tears as she talked about her fears she can’t have children after cancer. “I’ve always wanted the honour to be a mum,” she said. “And obviously I don’t know if that’s going to be possible.”

Amy, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was 19, went on: “A cancer diagnosis changes your life forever. I’d just got married, I had my whole life ahead of me, and all of a sudden my world fell apart in front of me. I’ve been given another shot at life, and I want to embrace and take every opportunity that comes my way.”

Celebrity Hunted airs on Channel 4 at 9pm

Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden is one of the stars on the run on Celebrity Hunted

Celebrity Hunted viewers were emotional as one of the contestants broke down in tears on the show.

Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden, who is taking part in the Channel 4 programme with fellow dancer Carlos Gu, started to cry as she talked about her fears she can’t have children after cancer.

The star announced in May 2023 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and she went on to have a mastectomy and chemotherapy.

She opened up about her concerns during the latest instalment of the show, which sees stars on the run and trying to evade capture while being pursued by experts. She and Carlos stayed with fellow Strictly star Neil Jones and his family, including his daughter Havana. When Carlos noted how good Amy was with the three-year-old, she became tearful.

“I’ve always wanted the honour to be a mum,” she said. “And obviously I don’t know if that’s going to be possible.”

Amy, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was 19, went on: “A cancer diagnosis changes your life forever. I’d just got married, I had my whole life ahead of me, and all of a sudden my world fell apart in front of me.

“I’ve been given another shot at life, and I want to embrace and take every opportunity that comes my way.”

Viewers were also moved, with one posting on X: “If anyone is in doubt about why Shine & C4 make this show, watch that first part. BRB, something’s in my eye.”

Sharing a teary-eyed emoji on the platform, which was formerly Twitter, someone else said: “Amy Dowden opening up about her cancer journey on Celebrity Hunted. WE LOVE YOU AMY!”

“Awww Amy,” said another moved fan.

The latest series of Celebrity Hunted, which is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, also features EastEnders‘ Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy, and television personalities Scarlette and Stuart Douglas.

Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran, presenters and disability advocates JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan, and comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth are also striving to escape from lead Hunter Ray Howard and his squad.

Celebrity Hunted is airing on Channel 4.

Celebrity Hunted is back with a new set of stars heading out on the run in the UK

Celebrity Hunted viewers all had the same response as the new series of the show began.

The programme – which sees stars going on the run and trying to stay hidden as they are hunted by experts – last aired in early 2025, so fans were thrilled as it returned on Channel 4.

The show’s latest run, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, sees celebs such as Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, EastEnders‘ Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy and TV star siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas trying to hide from the Hunters. Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran, presenters and disability advocates JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan and comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth are also trying to evade capture by Ray Howard and his team.

“So happy Celebrity Hunted is back,” one person wrote on X as the series started.

“The best time of the year is back and I can’t wait,” someone else wrote on the platform, which was formerly Twitter.

“We are so back,” said another, as one fan exclaimed: “Bring it on!” as another view said simply: “Finally.”

“Great to have a new series of Celebrity Hunted!” said someone else. “It’s a show that even after 11 years on air (*civilian and celeb series*) it’s always a must watch. It seems like the civilian series is now aired every 16/22 months. @Channel4 any news about a 2027 civilian series?”

Somebody else quipped: “If I ever become a celebrity, Celebrity Hunted better still be around. It looks like so much fun.”

The celebrities on the show have been tasked with vanishing into mainland Britain, cutting themselves off from their lives – and their fame.

“For 14 relentless days they must stay hidden, think fast and trust no one because the moment they leave a trail, the hunt is on,” said a synopsis.

“Pursuing them is Ray Howard and his elite team of Hunters drawn from policing, military and intelligence backgrounds. They have the full arsenal of the modern state at their disposal including CCTV, ANPR, Facial Recognition, helicopters, drones, search dogs, cyber investigations and media appeals. Every clue, every sighting and every mistake can mean a capture.

“In a world where almost every movement leaves a footprint, can these celebrity fugitives escape the glare of the spotlight and remain under the radar or will the Hunters bring every fugitive into custody before the 14 days are up?”

While viewers were delighted to see the show return, one posted a message on social media questioning whether it was “set up” after the opening sequence, which saw the stars being tracked by helicopters.

They asked: “Has there ever been a more set up show As if the flight plans for these 3 helicopters weren’t submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) weeks ago and are all flying at the legal mandated speed, height and distance between them in London.”

“Obsessed with how fake this is now,” joked someone else, as another viewer wondered: “Hang on… heading east when the lone heli stops the pair but that looks suspiciously like Westminster Bridge under them even though they’ve just flown over the city…”

Celebrity Hunted is airing on Channel 4.

MO Gilligan revealed the shock moment he was hunted by SIX police cars and a helicopter – before officers recognised him.

The comedian, 38, recalled the time police mistook him for someone else and tailed him after initially believing the car he was driving was “stolen”.

Luckily for Mo, some of the officers were fans of his and recognised him from off the telly, quickly realising they had made a mistake.

Appearing on the latest episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast, Mo said: “One time I got pulled over by the police and there were six cars, and this was when I was doing TV and stuff. I’ll never forget that one.

“At that point you have to kind of make a joke out of it.

“It was me and a mate of mine, who’s my stylist. They followed us for ages and then they were in an unmarked car and pulled me over and there were probably about six cars and a helicopter.”

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A stunned Louis was left shocked and asked: “A helicopter?”

Mo continued: “Swear on my life… I got the video as well,” to which Louis asked again: “You were being tailed by a helicopter?”

The TV presenter went on: ” Yeah. When the helicopter came, it was weird because obviously I hadn’t done anything, but I was like, ‘Ooh, wow, this is a little bit exciting’.

“But also knowing, I’m like, ‘You’re really wasting your time’.

“Then some of the officers, I could tell they was a bit like, ‘Oh, I think I recognise that guy’.”

Mo then explained that the cops thought he was driving a stolen car but failed to give him more information when quizzed.

He shared: “They said that the car that I had was previously stolen. And I was like, ‘Is it the same car, colour, or is it the same number plate?’ I said, ‘They’re two different things’. But they never really gave me an answer.

“In the end, it was like, ‘Oh, it’s just not the same car’. And once they knew, everyone just scattered.

“Every, every car was just like, ‘Oh, well, it’s not him then’. Helicopter gone.”

Documentary-maker and podcast host Louis was keen to know if the police recognised him.

Mo said: “Yeah. I think the officers then started recognising me.

“Things changed massively once they realised it wasn’t me.

“They were like, ‘Okay, cool, yeah, it’s fine’.

“But part of me was thinking, ‘This is a lot. I don’t need six cars and a helicopter’.

“At the same time, it did feel a bit like GTA when you get five or six stars.”

Last September, The Sun revealed that Mo had welcomed a baby with his model fiancee Taia Tulher.

Pals said at the time that his partner gave birth over the summer.

A source said: “Mo and Taia have their baby and are in a bubble of bliss.

“She gave birth quite a few weeks ago now and she has been getting back to normal life.

“They are keeping their baby’s gender and name for just close friends and family but they’ve been sharing the news of the baby’s arrival with people now.

“Mo and Taia couldn’t be happier.”

It is Mo’s second child — he had a son named Rudy with model Selina Christoforou in January last year.

He had previously dated Hollyoaks actress Sophie Wise for four years and then signed up for celeb dating app Raya.

He met Taia in 2023 and he proposed last year while she was pregnant.

The full line-up for Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4 has been released, with stars from Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders, Love Island and more battling the Hunters.

Celebrity Hunted is officially returning to our screens, with a fresh batch of stars going on the run to help raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

More than a decade after the first series of Hunted aired on Channel 4, the hit show will be returning to our screens very soon – as a string of famous faces will become fugitives in August.

EastEnders icon Brian Conley will be competing with his daughter Lucy, while Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu are also hoping to go unnoticed by Ray Howard and his “elite team of Hunters”.

Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran will be taking part, beside JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan, and presenters and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas. Comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smythe also make up the line-up.

The celebrity pairs will have to “vanish into mainland Britain, cutting themselves off from the lives – and the fame – they’ve always relied upon. For 14 relentless days they must stay hidden, think fast and trust no one because the moment they leave a trail, the hunt is on.

“In a world where almost every movement leaves a footprint, can these celebrity fugitives escape the glare of the spotlight and remain under the radar, or will the Hunters bring every fugitive into custody before the 14 days are up?”

While Hunted first aired in 2015, the celebrity version began two years later – The Wanted singers Jay McGuinness and Siva Kaneswaran outwitted the Hunters to take home the crown in 2017.

The most recent season aired at the beginning of last year, with Christine McGuinness and Duncan James defeating the Hunters.

Shedding light on the upcoming season of Celebrity Hunted, which will begin filming next month, Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Ian Dunkley said: ”When celebrities go on the run and are forced to engage the help of us mere mortals, chaos and comedy inevitably ensue.

“Hunted down by a motivated team of police and security professionals, this series reveals what it takes to remain hidden when everybody knows what you look like.’’

Matt Bennett, Director of Programmes for Shine TV, added: “Celebrity Hunted is the only TV series – alongside its cousin, Hunted – which continues to remind us of the powers of the state in an entertaining and engaging way.

“This is our most ambitious series yet, beginning with a breathtaking aerial launch amongst the skyscrapers of London, then a daring escape at the end of the run for any who evade capture… with a great deal of entertaining mischief in between.”

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