Tempting Fortune season 2 returns with fun changes to the format - for viewers at least!
In Tempting Fortune season 1 twelve strangers agreed to a gruelling 18-day trek across South Africa’s Eastern Cape in the hope of sharing £300,000 at the finish line, but the cash prize rapidly shrunk as eye-wateringly expensive temptations were thrown in their path.
In the second series, there are additional episodes and even more twists, turns and temptations.
Here’s everything we know about the return of Channel 4’s reality series - including an exclusive interview with host Paddy McGuinness...
Tempting Fortune season 2 release date
Tempting Fortune season 2 debuts on Channel 4 on Sunday 16 March 2025 at 9pm with the second episode in the eight-parter airing on Monday 17 March at the same time. The series continues in this format until the grand finale.
Episodes are also available on channel4.com
Tempting Fortune season 2 — episode guide
There's no soft opener for the new contestants when the second series of Tempting Fortune kicks off...
Episode 1 (16 March 2025)
If you like your reality TV a bit Lord of the Flies meets BarbieLand, this is the show for you. In this opening episode 12 strangers, including a vicar, a paramedic and a yacht stewardess (see below for more on this year's contestants), embark on an 18-day trek through the Malaysian jungle in the hopes of sharing a £300,000 prize pot at the finishing line.
Tensions in the group soon erupt as fashion blogger Imani provokes non-spender Sam and, as the heat and humidity take their toll, businesswoman Vicki and paramedic Trish are tempted to take a £1500 boat taxi shortcut to their next camp. Meanwhile, 58-year-old retired prison officer Ted is pushed to breaking point. A custom-made swimming pool in the middle of the jungle, complete with canapés and champagne, proves too much for some to resist, causing resentment among the campmates
When surreal temptations are placed in their path, who will squander the collective’s cash on indulgences?
Speaking to What To Watch about this thoroughly entertaining series, presenter Paddy McGuinness teased: "There are personality clashes and plot twists aplenty." See below for the full exclusive interview.
Episode 2 (17 March 2025)
As the epic competition with a twist continues, the 12 strangers endure another gruelling trek through the hostile tropical jungle of Langkawi in Malaysia with only basic equipment and rations to help them.
In this second episode, after just two days of trekking, the tough jungle conditions push one competitor to breaking point. Meanwhile, the 11 remaining fortune-seekers are split into three separate camps for 24 hours leaving them with no clue whether the others have given in to temptation... or not.
As trust breaks down, Imani, Tomasz and Vicki's group worries their campmates, as each group is tempted with a luxurious alternative to sleeping on hard wooden boards: a glamping experience, complete with midnight feast.
For Vicki, who's struggling to eat the basic rations and exhausted by the tough hikes, it's hard to resist. But will any of her group be swayed?
Elsewhere, when the fortune-seekers face a leech-infested trek through murky waters, will anyone take up the offer of an air-conditioned taxi ride to their next campsite? And, then, there's the ultimate temptation for many when a pub appears in the middle of the jungle, and one person's actions cause a riot among the group.
Episode 3 (23 March 2025)
As the competition continues the prize fund dwindles as resolve weakens. Following the antics in the previous episode, emotions are running high as high as the jungle temperatures.
In this episode trust is stretched to the limit when each fortune-seeker is secretly offered a much-loved item from home which, of course, comes at a cost.
While jungle life brings Vicki close to her breaking point, will the group be tempted by a luxury boutique hotel despite an eye-watering price tag?
Episode 4 (24 March 2025)
The contestants are now eight days into their 18-day trek through the beautiful tropical jungle of Langkawi in Malaysia. And are they enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experience? They absolutely are not!
With luxuries luring some away from basic rations and camping conditions, tempers flare. Then the collective prize pot takes a massive hit in this as one fortune-seeker hits a brick wall and quits, costing the group a whopping £30,000 plus expenses!
Meanwhile, the remaining campmates are tempted by coffee, pastries, and an enticing all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet in this plot twist of an episode, which casts a shocking new light on some of the participants...
Episode 5 (30 March 2025)
If you thought the previous episodes were wild, you ain't seen nothing yet!
Now over the half-way mark the remaining campers are not happy tent dwellers, and divisions are about to widen the bitter gap between the takers and the abstainers even further, as a secret sealed bid to win a luxury overnight stay away from camp leads to outrageous spending.
Brace yourself for tense scenes, as the whole group is reunited after 48 (very expensive) hours of being split in half. When the big spender reveals the cost of luxurious solitude, tempers flare and trust is shattered.
Episode 6 (31 March 2025)
Surprising decisions are made tonight!
You get to see what some of the fortune-seekers are truly made of at this stage in the experience, as they encounter an unexpected temptation: An ATM giving them the chance to secretly withdraw up to £4000 from the shared prize fund, which goes straight into their bank accounts. Are some of the contestants more justified than others than when it comes to bagging the cash?
This is followed by an agonising pull on the heartstrings as they are then offered a video call with family and friends back home.
Episode 7 (06 April 2025)
In the penultimate episode, emotions run high as the trekkers are faced with a video call to their loved ones back home. Some phone home, while others do not.
Meanwhile, a luxury spa in the middle of the jungle proves hard to resist, especially after a slog through a swamp. But hold the phone, there's more!
The group face the most lavish temptation yet... An overnight stay on a multi-million-pound superyacht! Will they opt to blow the dosh and party together on their last night?
Episode 8 (07 April 2025)
In the final leg of the journey the group face their most agonising temptation yet - a bag containing £20,000 in cash. Split into pairs, they must decide whether to steal from their campmates and take it for themselves. Will anyone succumb (spoiler: the answer is YES!).
Paddy makes the pair 'fess up before revealing what everyone is taking home. Now all the spending is done, what - if anything - will be left in the final prize pot?
Tempting Fortune season 2 — contestants
Tempting Fortune 2 promises to be even bigger and better than the previous outing - with even more bickering and backstabbing among the new batch of participants. Here's our guide to who's who in season two...
David
A 37-year-old vicar from London.
Bio: David has been a vicar in the Anglican church for five years. As a priest he has learnt that money is not what life should be valued on. He lives within his means and does not strive for more. Subject to daily temptations that he must refuse, as part of his spiritual journey David is ready to test himself by not following the group consensus and to open himself up to opposing views.
Henry
A 23-year-old amateur footballer from Sheffield.
Bio: Since he was a child, Henry has found people underestimate him. Growing up deaf, he often got frustrated with the people around him not understanding and found people didn't see potential in him. Tempting Fortune would be a huge opportunity for Henry to prove those people wrong, as well as continue to prove to himself that he can do hard things. Henry plans to come out of the experience not having taken any temptations but he also knows that it's not going to be plain sailing eating rice and beans every day. He aims to get the group to all agree to taking a few temptations each, but will his plan work?
Hugo
A 20-year-old university student from Bristol.
Bio: Often thought of as the underdog, Hugo wants to embrace this experience, to come out on top, and prove everyone wrong. Having grown up experiencing a privileged upbringing, he doesn’t really understand the value of money, can be quite easily influenced by others, and also admits he doesn’t always think enough before agreeing to things! He’s also a terrible liar and is unable to keep a straight face – so how will he fare if he gives in to secret temptations?
Imani
A 32-year-old fashion blogger from Bedfordshire.
Bio: For Imani, life is all about experiences. She’ll never deny herself a chance at joy and will actively encourage others to do the same for themselves. Even so, Imani wants to challenge herself and see if she can make it to the end when she’s stripped of all of her modern day conveniences. In this experience, she believes she will struggle with everything - except the temptations! - and is not intimated by anyone who will judge or disagree with her choices.
Martha
A 25-year-old former yacht stewardess from Hampshire.
Bio: People often judge Martha before they get to know her, but she is used to hard work and happy to get her hands dirty with any task that is given to her. Having been around wealthy people whilst working on the luxury yachts, Martha has seen how the other half live and wants a slice of that luxury lifestyle. Stubborn and head strong, she would like to challenge herself to not give into temptations but is also used to having what she wants when she wants it.
Nathaniel
A 29-year-old personal trainer from London.
Bio: Nathaniel is a self-confessed city boy, who thinks the city and the wild don’t mix. He has never been without basic necessities before or even slept outside of a bed. As a personal trainer he is constantly coaching others and Tempting Fortune will force him to practice what he preaches. Although he wants to challenge himself, if he's hungry he says he goes into survival mode, where all cards are off the table and it’s him Vs the world. He has plans for the money and doesn't beleive he will feel guilty for deceiving a 3-week-old friendship...
Sam
A 40-year-old ex-restaurant owner from the Wirral.
Bio: Sam lost her beloved establishment in 2023 due to inflation. Having been financially independent since childhood, she’s determined to provide for herself and her children again and knows her history working in the cut-throat restauranteur industry gives her a backbone and willpower like no other. She describes herself as a 'broken woman' due to the past months but is determined to not let the jungle or any temptations get the better of her. Sam’s biggest attribute is that she can be very persuasive and will try to influence the group – she hopes!
Ted
A 58-year-old retired prison officer from Carmarthenshire.
Bio: Having worked in both the Royal Navy and a high-security prison, Ted would like to step outside of his comfort zone once again and conquer an unknown challenge like he did in his former years. Ted is now a Park Volunteer and one of his motivations is to inspire the youth of the valleys areas and use any prize money to invest into the parks and gardens to give back to his community. He is determined to get through by resisting temptations, keeping everyone’s eyes on the prize, and leading by example. He is a motivator, hoping his experience working in prison and the navy will help people buy into his leadership.
Thom
A 33-year-old hospitality sales manager from Essex.
Bio: Thom comes from a long line of grafters and has been known to splash the cash in the past. Now, with a young family of his own, he’s had to change his spending habits. He wants to learn to be more responsible with money to provide the best life for his growing family. Thom is going to use his charm, humour and honesty to win over the group and stand up for the underdogs. He also admits to being very nosy and will use that to his advantage to get valuable information where he may need it...
Tomasz
A 39-year-old firefighter from Nottingham.
Bio: Growing up in Poland, Tomasz's father was very frugal with money and, despite earning a lot, he wanted to save for the future. Sadly, he passed away from cancer before he could enjoy the savings. Seeing his father’s approach to money has made Tomasz re-evaluate its worth and he now lives in the moment. Tomasz believes his experience as a firefighter combined with his intense workout regime will help him be great at leadership in tough physical situations. He believes in telling white lies to get what he wants, but is convinced that his golden retriever energy will allow him to be forgiven.
Trish
A 59-year-old paramedic from Essex.
Bio: Trish loves pushing herself to her limits, taking on challenges to prove age is just a number and women can do everything men can, and sometimes they can do it better. After losing her dad at the age of 18 and joining the ambulance service to help others, Trish tries to see the positives in life and wants to try her hand at everything - including this adventure. Trish is protective and will make sure everyone in the group is being heard. She doesn’t think she could be tempted because she would feel too guilty about taking other peoples money.
Vicki
A 37-year-old greeting card entrepreneur from Nottingham.
Bio: Growing up in a low-income household as one of four children, Vicki understands what it’s like to live with minimal means. Now that she is the managing director of a successful business, she splurges on experiences and holidays she couldn’t have before. As an ex-hostage negotiator, Vicki has lots of persuasive techniques up her sleeve to convince others to join the bandwagon on her approach to temptations and challenges.
Tempting Fortune season 2 trailer
🚨THIS IS NOT A DRILL🚨Our @channel4 hit series TEMPTING FORTUNE is back!Could you take on the ultimate test of power?Applications are now open: https://t.co/OMcH5uIL7R pic.twitter.com/2DyEfPnIIFApril 24, 2024
Tempting Fortune season 2 — an exclusive interview with Paddy McGuinness
WTW caught up with Paddy McGuinness while he was filming series two to learn more...
Paddy, what can we expect from the second series of Tempting Fortune?
“Like all good series as they go along, they develop and get bigger and better. That is what has happened here. We are out in Langkawi, and it is absolutely brutal with the heat. There are huge jungles, loads of boggy rivers and the temptations are next level. Everything about it has been ramped up – apart from me, I’m exactly the same!”
What makes Langkawi such a great location for the show?
“There are no two ways about it, we’re on the other side of the world and it feels like it. It’s a real culture shock for everyone. None of the fortune seekers have been here. I’ve never been here. You really do feel like you’re on your own away from everything. For them, it will be nothing they are used to, and by the time they’ve done a few days, they’ll be chomping at the bit for a temptation.”
Sounds perfect! On the subject of the contestants, what can you tell us about them - and does anyone stand out for you?
“I’m keen to see what Vicki is all about. She’s a hostage negotiator. I’m wondering if she’ll use any psychological tricks. Ted and Trish are both over 50. so it will be interesting to see how they’ll cope with the heat and the physical tasks. To also add – David, who is a Vicar, How is a Vicar going to go on with secret temptations?! He’s got to go back to his flock and people who are going to say ‘you’re telling us to be honest and now you’ve done that!, so that will be interesting to watch.”
With this being the second series, do they already have strategies about how to approach the game - and will you be throwing them some curveballs to keep them on their toes?
“Compared to the first series it’s totally different. There are plot twists a-plenty! All the stuff they think happened in series one – you can forget all that. It’s been spun on its head. It’s one of those ones that when you’re sat at home watching, you’d end up having an argument with whoever you’re watching with because it will absolutely divide opinion.”
If we’re honest, our fingers are crossed for friction. Will the new programme deliver?
“Everyone loves a bit of drama WTW, and this series is absolutely cram packed full of it! There are a lot of personality clashes and strong characters who have opinions that are set in stone. I can tell you, there’s a moment, halfway through the series that I didn’t see coming. Just when you think you’re getting used to them, someone does something that when you’re watching at home you’ll be talking about it the next day.”
Are you allowed to tell us what temptations are on offer?
“Well, because it’s so warm, we’ve got an amazing private pool that looks like a mirage. That will be one that will test everyone. And there is a British pub, which is always a temptation!”
How are you enjoying filming on location in Malaysia?
“I loved South Africa in the first series. I loved how random that was because you’d have been doing a link and a giraffe would walk past! But I think I’m enjoying this more because it is just so dramatic. Everything is happening. The sights, sounds and heat – there’s something for everyone. You can have four or five different seasons in a day here.”
Speaking of links, what’s the reaction when you turn up to film with the contestants after they’ve been roughing it?
“When they see me, they think, ‘Oh it’s a TV show’, so I do a lot of stuff now where they don’t know I’m there. So I’m watching them (not in a weird stalker way!) but where I’m talking to the camera in the background whilst they don’t know I’m there. Once they see me, they could snap out of drama, so I hide in the background!”
What do you think makes this such a great watch and what do you enjoy about making it?
"I think it’s the relatable, human element of it. It’s the, ‘What would I do?’ moments. It’s that age-old thing which we all battle with - ‘Do we save up and not enjoy anything?’ or do you, ‘Work and enjoy my wage and make experiences – forget tomorrow and live today!’ It’s these incredible dilemmas that make this show so bloody good.”
Finally, will the black cab from season one be making a reappearance?
“No! We only used it once I think in series one. There is no black cab, but there are temptations offered where they can get a little bit of help…”
Intriguing! Find out exactly what Paddy means when the series airs on Channel 4 and channel4.com on 16 March 2025.
Tempting Fortune season 2 — exits
Spoilers beyond this point!
The rules of Tempting Fortune series 2 state that if anyone leaves the experiment of their own accord, their share of the prize pot, £25,000, will be deducted, as will an additional £5000 penalty, potentially totalling a loss of £30,000 per person.
Ted, a 58-year-old retired prison officer exited Tempting Fortune in episode 2 due to medical advice. As a result, the prize fund was reduced by £25,000 but didn't incur the extra £5000 penalty.
The next departure took place in episode 4 and saw Vicki exit the process costing the prize pot £30K in penalty fees and over £4K in temptations.
Behind the scenes and more on Tempting Fortune season 2
Tempting Fortune was commissioned for Channel 4 by Steven Handley, Head of Reality and Entertainment, with commissioning editor Genna Gibson. It is an 8x60’ series made by Voltage TV and GroupM Motion Entertainment. The executive producers are Sanjay Singhal and Jon Crisp for Voltage TV with Melanie Darlaston for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Georgina Hinds is Showrunner. Cineflix Rights is the exclusive worldwide distribution partner for the format and series.
Speaking about the recommission, Steve said: “Tempting Fortune has all the hallmarks of a classic Channel 4 format, it’s the smart and mischievous love-child of an Adventure series and a Reality show, that tests free will and human nature, often with hilarious consequences. I can’t wait to see if our next batch of recruits can resist the irresistible temptations that Paddy has to offer them in the jungle.”
Tempting Fortune Season 3
There's good news for fans of the show. As the second series came to a dramatic close, it was revealed that Tempting Fortune season 3 is in the works!
Applications for casting is currently open... Will you be tempted?
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