Celebrity Hunted 2023: release date, fugitives and all we know

Celebrity Hunted 2023
Famous faces including Strictly's Katya Jones and presenter Ed Gamble are on the run on Celebrity Hunted (Image credit: Channel 4)

Celebrity Hunted has become a TV hit for Channel 4 as it tasks celebrity pairings to give up their charmed lives to go 'off-grid' to successfully avoid capture by a crack team of detectives — aka the Hunters.

This month, 10 more famous faces are going on the run for Celebrity Hunted 2023 in aid of Stand Up To Cancer. 

Here's what we know so far about Celebrity Hunted 2023...

Celebrity Hunted 2023 release date

Celebrity Hunted 2023 will air on Channel 4 from Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 9 pm. 

You can also watch episodes online via All 4

Celebrity Hunted 2023: Which famous faces are going on the run this series?

The celebrity fugitives taking part in this fifth series have been confirmed as:

-Coronation Street actress turned broadcaster Nicola Thorp and her boyfriend, The Devil’s Hour actor, Nikesh Patel

-Comedians and Off Menu Podcast hosts, Ed Gamble and James Acaster

-This Morning therapists and life-change experts Nik and Eva Speakman

-Social media and Strictly star Saffron Barker and TV mathematician Bobby Seagull

-Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones alongside her best friend, TV presenter and former Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller

"I'd like to do something outside of Strictly and it’s a chance for me to show my different sides and versatility," says Katya. "Lots of my friends are going through it with their family or close friends, so it's a good reason to do something worthwhile - and put yourself through hell at the same time!"

Celebrity Hunted 2023: Can you remind us how the show works?

The 10 celebrities will attempt to stay off the radar and remain at large for two weeks as a new crack team of Hunters use intuition, determination and cutting-edge technical surveillance to try and track them down.

With former police officers, intelligence, and army personnel hot on their tail, will these famous fugitives, who are recognizable across the UK, be able to remain undetected? 

Katya’s used to putting in hours of training for Strictly, and she's equally committed to Celebrity Hunted...

"My brain is exploding thinking of all the possible ways to decoy the Hunters to make sure we come out on top," says Katya. "As Strictly’s quite popular, dancing in the streets is not the best strategy."

Celebrity Hunted 2023: What's new for this series?

Having had to uncover the whereabouts of eight celebrities in recent series, our Hunters will have their work cut out as 10 famous faces pair-up to go on the run. This time around, however, it seems from our first look picture that our stars are escaping life behind bars...

"Get ready for the adventures of our best set of celebrity fugitives ever as we release them, for the first time, in epic prison break-out style," says Tom Hutchings, executive producer for Shine TV, the makers of Celebrity Hunted. 

"Expect the unexpected as our fugitives enlist the help of their celebrity friends, hide out in the most daring locations and get chased around the UK by our fearless team of Hunters, headed up by Chief Lisa Theaker."

Celebrity Hunted 2023: Any teasers on whether the celebs managed to evade capture?

James Acaster and Ed Gamble's involvement in the series was revealed when Ed was forced to present his regular Radio X show in hiding from an undisclosed location.

While on air, Ed repeatedly called the Hunters ‘thick’, prompting chief hunter Lisa Theaker to call into the show herself, telling Ed he is "the worst fugitive we have ever had in the history of the Channel 4 show."

Ed agreed but teased: ‘We're absolutely terrible, and they’ve still not caught us. So what does that say about the Hunters?’'

"To be fair, though," he added. "We did go for a nice meal in Shrewsbury when there was a helicopter chasing us, which wasn't the smartest idea..."

Watch the moment below:

See more

Katya, meanwhile, has some fighting talk for the Hunters...

"Don’t underestimate us girls because we might surprise you," she warns. "And try to keep up with us - though I don't think they can because we’re going to keeeep running!"

Celebrity Hunted 2023: How can I donate to Stand Up To Cancer?

Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research  

To give £40, £30, £20 or £10 text FORTY, THIRTY, TWENTY or TEN to 70404. To find out more about Stand Up To Cancer and how you can support, visit channel4.com/SU2C.

Victoria Wilson
Feature Writer for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and WhatToWatch.com

With over 20 years’ experience writing about TV and film, Vicky currently writes features for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week magazines plus news and watching guides for WhatToWatch.com, a job which involves chatting to a whole host of famous faces. Our Vicky LOVES light entertainment, with Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice UK among her fave shows. Basically, if it’s got a shiny floor, she’s all over it! When she’s not watching TV, you might find Vicky in therapy… retail therapy that is!