Hunted: Series 5 – interview with fugitives Rob and Ben

4 February 2020

Rob is 24 and compiles social media content for football fans. He and Ben met on the football pitch age 16 playing for the mighty Winnersh Rangers and have been best mates ever since. Rob is a devout Christadelphian and is keen to use the network of churches across the country to keep out of the Hunters' reach. Like Ben Rob also struggled at school and sees going on the run as an opportunity to prove himself.

Ben is from Reading and is a lifelong Reading FC fan. He works for a Pensions firm but is keen to retrain to become a plumber. Ben always struggled at school in large part due to his severe dyslexia. He worries that not being able to read maps and road signs may hinder him on the run but is happy that with Rob by his side they'll make a strong team.

 

INTERVIEW WITH ROB

Why did you want to take part in Hunted?

It is my absolute favourite programme. For me and Ben, it’s an opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong about us and actually show what we are capable of! It also hopefully gives me a whole month with Ben so I can win him back from his girlfriend Anna haha. We also think we can outsmart the Hunters in ways that have never been seen before.

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

It might sound a bit daft but the most important thing for me is that at the end of our time on the run, our friendship is stronger than it was before! I’d be devastated if we fell out because I adore that boy! He is incredibly creative with his ideas he just needs to believe in himself more. We both have completely different networks so hopefully we can bounce between the two.

We’re both very positive and upbeat and I would like to think I will bring a calmness to the team especially in tense moments. I think it’s going to be so important to not always overthink it and make sure we actually find ways to relax and destress! I like to challenge and push myself to the limit, and I think my experience of running the London Marathon has taught me mentally how to push myself further and to help others along the way. When I sign up for a challenge, I remain committed to the very end. And I think Ben and I will both be there supporting each other throughout.

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?

I think the key thing to avoid which I have seen in other series is if you make a mistake, don’t panic and immediately make another as that will leave you worse off! Then it’s game over. Never underestimate the Hunters. Not telling strangers your every move helps too – the less they know the less they can give away.

I’ve seen previous contributors who walk for ages and tire themselves out – if you are physically tired then you are also mentally tired and that’s where poor decisions come from. So sometimes taking a risk and getting a good night’s sleep is actually worth it because you can recharge and go again.

I also think I’ll be able to call on the gaming community as it’s huge. If we can just get hold of an Xbox… My church network is incredibly supportive and then you can’t rule out football fans. I don’t think there is a Liverpool fan in the country that wouldn’t want to help a fellow supporter out and get me and Ben to the end!

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

Very confident. We’re both young, physically fit and we believe we can make it to the end! I think the hardest part for us both will be trusting each other’s networks when making big decisions. We really want to avoid the Hunters getting a clean sweep once more - we might not be the smartest, but we will 100% be the ones willing to do whatever it takes to get to the end. 

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

As a big Liverpool fan, the only way I can describe it is imagining being a player in the tunnel getting ready to walk out for a Champions League Final. You’re nervous, don’t know what to expect and you’re going up against some of the best in the business. But you know the first few moments are so important – it’s all about settling in and making a good start. As you leave the drop off vehicle and hear the helicopter above and that’s like the rivals’ fans trying to rattle you. From then it’s all about focusing and believing that you can do this. GAME ON!

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?

It’s crazy and very scary! You can’t plan your getaway and it’s definitely the hardest Hunted has ever been. The hunters have all the tools they need, and we have literally just the clothes we are wearing… that’s it! Not even a spare pair of boxers. So really at the start, it’s advantage them! My biggest fear is getting caught on Day 1 - I honestly will do absolutely anything to get through those first few days because they are going to be so so difficult.

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

If I was to avoid capture, then honestly the money would change my life. My dream is to be a football coach - I have always loved the idea of taking a talent or a dream in a young person and trying my best to help make it happen. Having volunteered three times in Africa, it’s a very special place to me where young children in disadvantaged communities aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve. If I was to win, I’d love to get my coaching badges and go back out there to get some experience. Hopefully I could make a real difference while getting the coaching experience I need to start my career.

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

I have been to Ghana twice and Kenya once, and had to live in difficult conditions – I just had to adapt and get on with it. It taught me if others can live like this all the time then I shouldn’t complain. That’s the mentality I plan to adopt when sleeping rough or when we aren’t eating much.

I also ran the 2019 London Marathon for Make-A-Wish UK and that was all about setting a goal, having a motive and achieving it. Ben and I have both experienced struggle and disappointment in our lives especially in education and it’s not easy when you feel like you have let people down. I remember being chucked out of college and feeling like I had really embarrassed my family, so I want them to be proud of me.

Having been a fruit and veg boy at Morrisons for 6 years from the age of 17, it taught me so much about customer service, how to interact with people and how to make them feel valued so I’m hoping to use that experience too.

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

When I was about 7 or 8, I was at Chessington World of Adventures playing one of the games, looked to my right and none other than Paul Gascoigne was there playing against me! He even let me get a photo with him afterwards.

INTERVIEW WITH BEN

Why did you want to take part in Hunted?

I’m hoping it will be a great experience and the ultimate personal challenge.  Also, I want to experience the adrenaline buzz of trying to evade the Hunters.

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

I think I will bring the entertainment factor and banter to the partnership and Rob will be the serious one… pretending to be a marine!

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?

I don’t want to give too much away... but I will keep moving, regularly change direction, avoid obvious means of communication and try not to contact my family and girlfriend.

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

If I am going to do something, I always believe I will succeed. I am confident in myself and my abilities. It will make it easier having one of my best friends by my side.

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

I am excited at the prospect of having to live from day to day not knowing where I am going to be or when I am next going to eat.

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?

Not having a backpack means that we can be quick on our feet and make a good getaway but wearing the same wet and dirty clothes makes me feel a little anxious.  Also, having no tech or money will be a real challenge – not sure how we will live from day to day.

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

Winning Hunted would mean having the money behind me to help my girlfriend and I move out into our own place and start building my career.

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

Being one of three brothers growing up meant that we were regularly in trouble or causing mischief, so I definitely learnt the skills of avoiding suspicion and evading capture.  I also have the knack of talking to people and winning them over!

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

At the age of six I got my first job as a model for children’s clothes. I have tried since, but no one wants me!