Hunted: Series 5 – interview with fugitives Frankie and Dan

4 February 2020

Frankie is a 35-year-old mum of one from Birmingham. As well as being a full-time foster carer Frankie also works as a contact supervisor accompanying children in care on family visits. Frankie has known Dan for five years and during that time their friendship has developed into something more. They're very close but when together they fight like cat and dog. They believe that going on the run may make or break them!

Dan E is a 36-year-old single man from Birmingham. Dan worked for BT as a graphic designer for 11 years, his mother passed away in 2016 causing Dan to evaluate his life and he decided to quit his job, ever since he's been running his own landscape gardening business. It's difficult work but he has no regrets about changing career. One of the people who helped Dan most through his grief was his friend Frankie.

 

FRANKIE

Why did you want to take part in Hunted?

Dan and I used to watch Hunted together all the time and joked about applying because we thought that we could do better.

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

I definitely thought I’d be the brains and motivating of the operation as Dan is very laidback. I’m not worried about us falling out…… I know we will! We’ll get over it though – we normally do.

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 are hoping to use friends of friends so there will be some kind of trust element – and then just turn up and be like ‘hi! guess who? ‘In previous series’ going rural seems like a good plan,

but I don’t know if I could cope without my luxuries, and deal with the mud, the cold and bugs.

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

I’m a very competitive person so I know I will do anything and everything to make it to the end, I’ll be leaving my son to go on the run, so I need to make sure being away from him will be worth it. I don’t know how confident I am because there’s never been a day in my life where I’ve roughed it but you gotta love a trier.

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

I am looking forward to going on the run and meeting people from all walks of life as well as hopefully seeing more of the country. I have travelled the world but not my own country. I’m looking forward to the experience of the unknown and having to deal with challenges I wouldn’t normally have to face day to day, but most of all, I hope it will be fun.

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?

I’m looking forward to having no technology – the break will be good. However, being without everything else will be a struggle – no change of clothes, toothbrush or cream! I’m dreading what I’m going to look like. I hope I’ll just get on with it, I’m not planning to cry about it and I’ll just take it one day at a time. As long as I’ll get food, I’m sure I’ll live.

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

I’d be lying if I said I’m doing this for fun. I’m in it to win it. I want to make it to the end, I want us both to get to the end. A share of £100,000 would be amazing! I would buy a new house with a big garden so my son can play football to his heart’s content. And most definitely a holiday somewhere very hot. Oh, and I promised Keon a new computer.

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

I can be very random and unpredictable. I don’t know what I’m gonna do or say a lot of the time so If I don’t know what’s next, then they definitely won’t. As for life experience, that’s a no from me. I’ll be winging it!

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

My friends and I pretended to be a dance group when we were in a club in London and danced a routine that we’d made up in our bedrooms. We ended up getting a call-back to come to a TV show audition!

 

DAN E

Why did you want to take part in Hunted?

I lost my mother to cancer in 2016 so I wanted to do it for her. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, a chance to step out my comfort zone and really challenge myself physically, mentally and emotionally. The money of course is also an incentive; I’d be lying if I said I haven’t already started spending it in my head!

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

We will definitely bring the game to the hunters. We are so competitive and confident in ourselves. Us falling out? Not worried about that at all, that’s a given!  But hopefully we won’t let our differences in opinions affect our chances.

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?

Going rural seems to be a popular approach from previous series but being the city slickers that me and Frankie are, I’m not sure how easy that will be. Staying away from cameras and public transport is a must. We have a wide range of family and friends up and down the country and if we can use their friends and friends of their friends, then the hunters won’t stand a chance.

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

I’m 80% confident. I have the heart, drive and determination, no doubt. But this is a whole new experience and at some stage it will depend on the generosity of the public and a bit of luck. However, if things get a bit sticky and it came down to a foot chase then I’m well confident the hunters haven’t got the speed and athleticism to catch me.

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

Like no other. I haven’t even been camping let alone on the run for 25 days. I won’t be taking it lightly. I think It will be a really tough challenge.

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?

I’m dreading it! Because right from the get-go we are going to need resources and essentials and who knows how long that will take. I could be in the same clothes for 25 days…imagine that.

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

Take my siblings on holiday, that would be first. Pay off some debts and be a little financially free. I’d also like to donate towards a cancer related charity. The money isn’t a major factor, I’ve always said ‘Memories over Money’ (M.O.M). This experience is something money can’t buy.

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

I’ve been playing sport from the age of 10, so I’m very competitive and always want to succeed. Doing this for my mother (and siblings) will be the core of my grit and determination.

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

Biggest claim to fame, has definitely got to be scoring a goal at Villa Park (home of Aston Villa FC). I will always remember and cherish that moment. I mean, c’mon, there’s players that play for the Villa, earning thousands a week and haven’t scored a goal on their home pitch!