Lanarkshire pals in the running to win £250k in high-octane new game show set in a luxury Caribbean resort

A PAIR of Scots pals will be battling it out to win £250k in a glitzy new game show set in a luxury resort.

Branded a ‘thrilling and high-octane new reality entertainment event’, The Fortune Hotel kicks off on May 13.

Actor and presenter Stephen Mangan is fronting the ITV show, which was filmed in the Caribbean.

Filled with glamour, opulence and deception, the contest will see 10 pairs of contestants arrive at The Fortune Hotel, where they will be given an all-important briefcase.

Inside one case is the ultimate jackpot of £250,000 in cash, eight are empty and one contains the dreaded Early Checkout Card – whichever pair is left holding that case at the end of each show will see their stay brought to a dramatic, premature end.

Every day the contestants have the chance to try to uncover who has which case through playing compelling challenges and as the “Whogotit” mystery ramps up for the hotel guests, viewers at home will remain deliciously in-the-know throughout, witness to all of their plans and strategies playing out.

The climax of each episode is the nerve-shredding case swap in the seductive Lady Luck bar where each pair must decide whether to keep or swap their case.

One of the pairs taking part are best pals Jen and Susan from Lanarkshire.

Executive Assistant Jen, 44, and 39-year-old Susan: 39, an investigator, said they reckoned the challenge was made for them.

Jen said: “When I came across the casting advert, I remember thinking, this show resembled White Lotus meets Glass Onion meets The Traitors and I thought Susan and I would be amazing at this.

“Coupled with the opportunity to get away with my best friend to sneak about at a luxury resort and steal money from people – we’re in!”

The pair said it was whirlwind experience, full of memorable funny and dramatic moments.

Susan said: “When Stephen first came in to meet us and asked everyone who they thought had the money was quite a dramatic way to kick things off.”

Jen added: “There was a moment in the Lady Luck Bar where a contestant stood up to tell their truth and it did not go down well at all. I turned to Susan and said ‘if this continues – we’re leaving’. It all got a bit tense.

And the best bit about the experience for the pair was the incredible setting on the luxury resort.

Jen said: “Having the opportunity to live that luxurious lifestyle away from your day to day with your best friend was really special. We also “borrowed” some luxury merchandise to keep as a little reminder of our stay at The Fortune Hotel!”

Host Stephen Mangan said the game is fascinating – and will have viewers hooked.

He said: “The opportunity to head to the Caribbean sounded very interesting on its own before you even get to what else is involved. That’s the thing that first got my attention but when the game itself
was explained to me and I played it, it’s just brilliant.

“The game is pretty simple but endlessly fascinating so a combination of that alongside the backdrop in which it was set was just pretty irresistible.”

And he added: “I found it almost impossible to remain neutral, I was heartbroken for every couple when they were eliminated.”

• The Fortune Hotel airs every Monday-Thursday at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player from May 13