Channel 4’s hidden gem deserves watching – it could be the next Traitors
Tempting Fortune is two episodes into its second series, after flying relatively under the radar when it first launched in 2023.
Anyone who spends £600 on cheesy chips surely deserves to be banished to galaxy far, far, away – but there’s a reality television series where contestants think they’ve found a bargain.
Tempting Fortune is two episodes into its second series, two years after flying relatively under the radar when it first launched in 2023.
Hosted by Paddy McGuinnes, 12 strangers are thrown together for a gruelling 18-day hike in the sweltering Malaysian jungle.
They begin their trip with £300,000 and keeping the entire prize fund sounds simple: Don’t spend £200 on a can of Fanta.
During the trek, each individual is confronted with the same temptation at checkpoints, which they can either accept or reject. But accepting comes at a financial cost to everyone.
As someone who refuses to accept the 20% price hike of a Mayo Chicken in McDonald’s, I have never been more certain about something: I would be strong enough to resist splashing out £700 on a Dairy Milk.
Or would I be?
After spending days hiking in unbearable 40-degree heat, being attacked by leeches and sleeping on the floor, wouldn’t I deserve a treat?
That’s the inner turmoil faced by each and everyone of the 12 strangers.
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It is genuinely the most fascinating social experiment (Picture: Emily Manley/Channel 4)Well, some find it easier than others – and that’s what makes Tempting Fortune the stroke of genius that should be held in the same esteem as reality television greats, The Traitors, Big Brother and my personal favourite, The Circle.
Their level of will-power ranges from the restaurant owner whose business just collapsed and won’t even look in the direction of a chocolate bar, to a millionaire entrepreneur who will happily gobble down on a tiny hamper of sugary snacks for £750.
It is genuinely the most fascinating social experiment since Nasty Nick introduced game-playing to reality television.
It doesn’t take long before players have established who is out for themselves and who has any grasp of the concept of teamwork. Within hours of meeting, there are rows, the level of which haven’t been aired on television since the heyday of explosive reality TV such as Wife Swap, Supernanny and the criminally underrated Mob Wives.
It’s packed with bolshy personalities determined to start a war from the get-go.
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Previous Page Next PageIn this series, in one corner you have fashion blogger Imani who believes life is about experiences, no matter the price tag. She relishes in spending a grand on a few minutes of air conditioning and is weirdly delighted when others follow her indulgent lead.
In the other corner you have Sam, who treats anyone who even hints at falling for temptation like they’ve kicked a puppy and is determined to make it to the end with the prize pot completely intact.
The cast is dynamite.
Torn between Sam and Imani is 37-year-old vicar David, who’s entire life has revolved around resisting temptation, but can’t wait to throw away the dog collar for three weeks and splurge like he’s never splurged before.
Among the 12 contestants there are heroes like Henry, a deaf amateur footballer, determined to prove is more capable than he’s given credit for; Welsh retired prison officer Ted, who bravely embarks on one of the biggest physical challenges of his life; and 59-year-old paramedic Trish, who wants to show age is just a number and anything men can do, women can do better.
I never feel more alive than when the entire nation is completely gripped by cliff-hanger (Picture: Channel 4/7+ Image)The pack start off united but gradually they’re divided between natural-born emperors of the game Imani and Sam.
The gluttonous players tuck into extraordinarily overpriced beige food, initially with guilt and trepidation, before ordering £400 pints of Guinness like it’s a badge of honour.
It’s as primal as reality television gets in 2025.
It exposes the divide between rich and poor, left and right, strong and the weak more than anything else I’ve ever seen.
The Traitors is clearly the biggest water-cooler television since The X Factor at its peak, and thank god for it, too.
I never feel more alive than when the entire nation is completely gripped by cliff-hanger (Picture: Channel 4/7+ Image)For the first three weeks of January my main personality is Traitors.
I think about nothing else between each episode and feel constantly on edge knowing there’s shock coming my way at 9pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
I never feel more alive than when the entire nation is completely gripped by cliff-hanger and we’re collectively in agony waiting for its resolution.
The star of The Traitors is always the game, the cast is almost secondary. This year we saw Minah Shannon carry the first two-thirds of the series entirely on her shoulders; the only cast member likeable enough to be deemed a worthy winner.
‘Weirdly even though we were out before Traitors, I find some of the stuff on Traitors similar to what we are doing,’ says Paddy.
This new rule had a massive knock on effect (Picture: BBC / Studio Lambert)I’m not sure I see the resemblance myself, other than both take staggering turns out of nowhere, but I agree they’re both equally as fun.
But Tempting Fortune is a fascinating anthropological experiment with a cast so extreme it’s hard to believe they were put on this planet to serve any purpose other than striking gold for Channel 4.
Imani is up there with the most iconic reality TV villains like Christine Quinn, Janice Dickinson and Kim Woodburn, living in a one-woman world, which is unbearable to be around but a godsend to watch.
A true firestarter who gives zero attention to anyone else’s cares or concerns.
Comment nowAre you watching Tempting Fortune? Have your say in the comments belowComment NowIf more people were switched on to Tempting Fortune it would be another landmark moment in reality television and it deserves to be a massive talker.
Its second series launched to just 700,000 viewers, which is less than a tenth of those who tuned into The Traitors.
That means there’s at least 10,000,000 reality TV fans longing for something to fill The Traitors void and they’re missing out on the one reality TV series we have that deserves to be championed just as hard, if not harder.
It’s not even acknowledged for NTAs, a Bafta – even the TV Choice Awards gave Tempting Fortune the cold shoulder. It might be a pipedream to beat the likes of Strictly or Traitors but at the very least it deserves the nomination.
The dizzy heights of a new format like The Traitors is unheard of, it’s enormous viewing figures are somewhat of a miracle in the last dying breaths of linear TV.
Tempting Fortune is unlikely to ever be as successful, but it absolutely should be before it’s discarded as another forgotten reality TV show that deserved more.
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