Hunted: Series 5 – interview with fugitives Dan R and Hayley

4 February 2020

Dan R is 33 years old and 6 years ago he started up his gym business in Wigan, he now co-owns 2 gyms and a health kitchen. Although he routinely works 14-hour days he loves his work and the opportunity to meet his members and help turn their lives around. Three years ago, Dan met Hayley in the gym, and they've been together ever since.

27-year-old HR officer for the council Hayley is also Wigan born and bred. She and Dan have been a couple for three years and live together with their pride and joy, their dog Luna who even has her own Instagram page.

 

DAN R

Why did you want to take part in Hunted?

I decided to do Hunted as nobody won the last series and I thought I could win it, I thought I could do a better job. I told Hayley and she said to apply, called my bluff, then somehow, I ended up on the show. No pressure now for myself and Hayley. 

What do each of you think you’ll bring to your Hunted partnership? Are you worried about falling out?

We work very well as a team. I’m very much a leader/motivator due to the job I have running two gyms, running classes and coaching/training people. I’m extremely self-driven, wanting to do everything at once and a hundred miles an hour all the time. Hayley on the other hand is a lot more chilled and relaxed, she never gets stressed, so she helps me to calm down and think before making rash decisions. We complement each other very very well, I couldn’t be with someone who also wanted to lead as we would clash.

We have a very strong relationship and never ever argue, and I don’t think this will be any different. We have been through a lot of harder things during our time together as a couple so this should be a walk in the park - famous last words! Plus, we are grown adults and we do talk to each other if we are feeling stressed or anxious so this should help us while on the run.   

What tactics, if any, are you planning to employ? Are there things you’ve seen in previous Hunted series’ that you’d like to adopt – or avoid?

We have lots of ideas that we want to employ while on the run, first one is to get to the northwest and stay there. We don’t have many contacts outside of there so if we can stay around there, we can utilise our large network and stay ahead of the hunters. Second would be to ensure we don’t get caught using phones or seen on CCTV – this is something that a lot of people did on previous series and ended up getting caught. Third, we want to go off grid as much as possible and try to use areas such as the Lake District to ensure we can hide. We know the area pretty well so we can stay one step ahead of the hunters.

How confident are you in your abilities? Do you think you have what it takes to make it to the end?

I’m extremely confident in both my physical and mental ability but I don’t think it will be easy. We will be under a lot of stress and this can make people do silly things and get caught. I do believe we have what it takes to get to the end, or I wouldn’t be going on the show. I’m doing this not only for myself but for all my friends and family; to put two Wiganers on the map. I can’t let them down so let the games begin.

What do you think the experience of being on the run will be like?

I think the whole experience will be very difficult as its so far out of our comfort levels – not having access to social media, technology and having to go back to basics. The fear of the unknown is so difficult to try and get yourself ready as you just don’t know what is coming and how close the hunters are away from you. I can imagine you will constantly be paranoid and stressed.

For the first time in Hunted history, you will start with only the clothes on your back. How do you feel about the prospect of having no technology, no money, no backpack and no possessions?

This is a serious game changer and you truly have to rely on kindness of strangers and friends and family, as without that you won’t last very long. We’re going to have to ask for help a lot - this could be a positive as we can utilise people who won’t be on the hunters’ radar or alternatively, the strangers could contact the hunters and tell them where we are. It’s a double-edged sword but you just have to put your trust in your gut and have faith. Always treat people how you would like to be treated and they will help you. 

If you manage to avoid capture, what would you spend your winnings on? How big a factor is the money for you?

The money would massively help as setting up two gyms and running two business puts yourself in a lot of debt and unable to save. This money would help to set us up for the future. We will also probably need a holiday to recover after the ordeal. Ha.

The money itself isn’t a main motivator for me – my motivator is to win and prove people wrong. There are a lot of people who doubt us, and I want to prove them wrong. We are a team and I want us to win this together as a team.

What life/career experience/s have you had that you think would give you the edge over the hunters and other fugitives?

With my work I have to keep myself physically fit so I know physically I can keep ahead of the hunters and if it gets to a foot race, they shouldn’t be able to catch me. Also, within my job I have to ensure I plan and adapt constantly in order to keep at the top of the game. I like to think outside the box and try to think of every situation and plan things meticulously in order to succeed. We also do love the outdoors and do go walking a lot. We’ve never camped though so that will be a shock to the system!

Other than appearing on Hunted, what would you say has been your biggest claim to fame?

None really, just a little lad from Wigan wanting to win Hunted.

 

HAYLEY

Why did you want to take part in Hunted?

Dan didn’t give me much choice for starter! Just joking. It was something majorly out of my comfort zone, maybe I didn’t have much hope that I could complete it. However, I am always willing to give something a try and hopefully prove to people that underdogs can triumph. We’ve always watched Hunted and we always found ourselves shouting at the TV thinking we could do it better, so we applied!

What do each of you think you’ll bring to your Hunted partnership? Are you worried about falling out?

My family have said in the past that I am that so laidback that I’m horizontal, so I want to prove that sometimes this is not a bad trait to have! I will definitely be bringing the keep calm mode – it takes a lot for me to get stressed and I think this will level the partnership whereas Dan thrives off stressful situations.

 It will be of benefit to our partnership that Dan is quick-thinking whereas I am more sit down with a brew and think about it - we definitely won’t have that luxury on the run. I think being a couple can definitely play to our advantage too, we have seen each other during both highs and lows and can recognise when the other needs support.

I’m 100% afraid we’ll fall out. All couples have their flaws and their arguments and those who don’t must be lying. We can both be quite stubborn at times... especially Dan! I can also be quite lazy which may frustrate Dan. But we both don’t like falling out – we are a team, in it to win it and won’t let any argument hinder our chances to win! We both have a good sense of humour and I think that will keep us going on the run.

What tactics, if any, are you planning to employ? Are there things you’ve seen in previous Hunted series’ that you’d like to adopt – or avoid?

Although we don’t have many contacts across the country, we more than make up for it with our network in Wigan who will go over and above to help us. We believe that staying within the north will be an advantage as we are familiar with it plus people may help us more once they hear our friendly Wigan accents! Ultimately going off grid for as long as possible is key to keeping under the radar.

How confident are you in your abilities? Do you think you have what it takes to make it to the end?

I think the hunters will think I am an easy target, but I can’t wait to prove them wrong. They may think I’m too high maintenance to be on the run but ultimately, I am physically fit and a strong person mentally – it takes a lot for me to get upset. Unless I see pictures of my dog! I think we have a really good chance to make it to the end.

What do you think the experience of being on the run will be like?

It won’t be easy at all, I’m not underestimating it. I will struggle at times especially as I hate being cold and wet and I also hate camping, but I know Dan will get me through it. I am just hoping we find some kind strangers who offer to put us up in some luxury house somewhere that has a good supply of wine and pizza. From watching past series’ it’s clear that there will be a lot of highs and lows, and nothing can be predicted.

For the first time in Hunted history, you will start with only the clothes on your back. How do you feel about the prospect of having no technology, no money, no backpack and no possessions?

The thought of having no belongings actually horrifies me – I thought it was some kind of joke when I was first told! No change of clothes is bad enough, but no toiletries is even worse – that’ll be the biggest struggle. I know Dan will do everything he can In order for me to get some belongings though. I am actually looking forward to no technology but will miss FaceTiming my dog.

If you manage to avoid capture, what would you spend your winnings on? How big a factor is the money for you?

I’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives, so I’d spend some on a nice holiday and maybe look to save the rest for our future together and treat our families. The thought of the money will definitely help spur me on if I’m freezing cold in a tent thinking I could soon be drinking a strawberry daiquiri beside Maldivian turquoise waters!

What life/career experience/s have you had that you think would give you the edge over the hunters and other fugitives?

I haven’t really experienced anything of note yet – I’m guessing going on the run will be one – but I am well-travelled and not afraid to travel independently. I work in HR for a large organisation which requires me to be a be a good people person, so I think that’ll be an advantage when asking strangers for help.

Other than appearing on Hunted, what would you say has been your biggest claim to fame?

I’ve never been keen on fame. I’ve never done anything like this before or applied to be on a TV programme.