Joel Dommett's Terrifying Encounter with a Great Dane on Celebrity Sabotage
Masked Singer presenter Joel Dommett has revealed he experienced "one of the most frightening moments of my life" while filming the new ITV series Celebrity Sabotage. The comedian was tasked with removing a collar from a Great Dane while disguised as a set of dog toys, creating a heart-pounding scenario that left him genuinely terrified.
A Daring Disguise and a Dangerous Mission
Dommett, 40, described the elaborate setup where fellow saboteur GK Barry attempted to distract the dog's owner while he approached the animal. "I was dressed as dog toys, trying not to get caught by the owner, but trying to get the collar off the dog without being noticed," he explained. The Great Dane, which was wearing a wig at the time, presented a significant threat. "Obviously the dog just wanted to eat me. Face to face with a dog, I can't remember if I fell. You would bloody panic if you were on the floor. It's called a Great Dane for a reason," Dommett recalled with nervous laughter.
GK Barry admitted to being genuinely concerned for her colleague's safety during the challenge. "Honestly, it's not that deep, but I'd love you to still have a face after this episode," she told him at the time. Despite the danger, Dommett persevered, demonstrating the commitment required for the show's chaotic premise.
Additional Chaotic Challenges and Elaborate Disguises
The Great Dane incident was just one of many outrageous scenarios faced by the four saboteurs - Dommett, GK Barry, Judi Love, and Sam Thompson. In another memorable challenge, Dommett found himself disguised as a chair, praying that nobody would sit on him during filming. "The entire time I was just thinking, 'Please, nobody sit on me.' That was all I was thinking," he confessed.
The series, which has been described as Saturday Night Takeaway meets Game for a Laugh, involves the saboteurs infiltrating six fake reality shows filmed at a manor house. Unsuspecting contestants believe they're participating in legitimate ITV programs, while the celebrity hosts are actually in on the elaborate joke.
Creating Chaos for Charitable Causes
Despite the mayhem they create, the saboteurs' missions serve a positive purpose. Each successful challenge wins money for the unwitting contestants, with prizes worth up to £30,000. "The reveal at the end when they realise that they're winning money. It's just like so heartwarming," Dommett noted, highlighting the show's unexpected emotional payoff.
Other challenges included:
- Ruining spa treatments by lacing face masks with green dye
- GK Barry spending multiple episodes disguised as a bush
- Judi Love discovering her unexpected talent for rolling effectively during missions
The team was occasionally joined by guest saboteurs, including comedian Jo Brand, who brought her own brand of chaotic energy to the proceedings. "She was so funny. She just did not care about what we were saying," the regulars laughed, recalling Brand wandering casually through corridors despite instructions to avoid detection.
A Unique Entertainment Experience
Dommett expressed genuine enthusiasm for the unconventional series, stating: "We just cause absolute chaos, carnage. I don't know about you guys, but it's the most fun I've had working on a show in a really long time." The combination of elaborate disguises, daring missions, and the genuine reactions of unsuspecting participants creates what promises to be compelling Saturday night entertainment.
Celebrity Sabotage represents a fresh approach to reality television, blending elements of classic British entertainment formats with contemporary celebrity culture. The series launches on Saturday, March 21 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX, offering viewers a unique blend of comedy, suspense, and heartwarming moments as celebrities create controlled chaos for both entertainment and charitable gain.
