The Fortune Hotel returned for its second season on Wednesday evening (August 6) with a shocking twist that saw one couple eliminated before even entering the hotel. Host Stephen Mangan greeted 22 new contestants at Grenada airport, but their excitement quickly turned to dismay when he announced that only ten rooms were available for the eleven pairs.
“Your first challenge is to find a room key and make it to the hotel. But there are eleven pairs here and there only ten rooms available at The Fortune Hotel,” Mangan explained. “Only the first five pairs to arrive at the hotel will be guaranteed a room. If you're among the bottom six pairs, then you will be in danger because one of those pairs will be heading home.”
The contestants were taken to the harbour, where they had to solve a crossword puzzle to unlock their accommodation keys. The first five pairs to complete the task secured their rooms and selected their briefcases, with Jake and Mike covertly claiming the £250,000 jackpot. The remaining six pairs faced the risk of picking the case containing the early departure card, which ultimately fell to best friends Briony and Chelsey, resulting in their immediate departure.
Viewers took to social media to express their shock at the harsh twist. One wrote on X: “Someone getting eliminated before it starts? Well I never saw that coming.” Another commented: “So much for ITV budget cuts flying 11 couples to the Caribbean only to fly one pair home back on day 1.” A third added: “Wow harsh start to the show I love it.”
Another duo will be eliminated later in the series after receiving the next early checkout card, though their identities remain unknown. Some fans speculated that Briony and Chelsey might return later, with one viewer suggesting: “I'm guessing that Chelsey and Briony will get some kind of reprieve later in the series.”
