Celebrity Hunted: Cast and start date revealed for 2025 series

Including Giovanni Pernice!

Author: Alex RossPublished 8 hours ago

Hunted spin-off series Celebrity Hunted is back for a brand new series in early 2025, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer! After months of rumours about the famous faces taking part, Channel 4 bosses have now unveiled the line-up, which sees Giovanni Pernice making his first appearance on UK TV since the drama surrounding him around Strictly Come Dancing.

When is it on TV?

It has now been confirmed the new series begins at 9pm on Sunday 5th January 2025.

Who is taking part?

The official line-up has now been confirmed, with 12 celebs going on the run in pairs.

Matt Bennett, Director of Programmes for Shine TV, said: “There’s nothing more delicious than watching our much-loved celebrities turn fugitive and go on the run as they attempt to escape the hunters, all in aid of the excellent charity Stand Up to Cancer.

“This year we have a stellar line-up who have truly kept the hunters on their toes. With dramatic escapes to daring captures, this season of Celebrity Hunted will keep the Channel 4 viewer on the edge of their sofas from one programme to the next. Jason Bourne would be proud of them all!”

Check out the line-up below:

Kai Widdrington and Giovanni Pernice

Known for: Strictly Come Dancing professionals

Lucrezia Millarini and Simon McCoy

Known for: News Anchors

Danielle Harold and Kimberly Hart-Simpson

Known for: Soap stars

David Whitely and Zeze Millz

Known for: Podcasters

Duncan James and Christine McGuinness

Known for: Blue singer (Duncan) and model (Christine)

Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley

Known for: Actress and Loose Women

What channel is it on?

Celebrity Hunted will air on Channel 4 and Channel 4's streaming service.

Tom Hutchings, Executive Producer for Shine TV, said of the new series: “This is hands down the most exhilarating series of Celebrity Hunted yet. When a helicopter chases a train through the Norfolk countryside and 12 celebrities escape, what will they do?

“Expect trips to Albert Square and Blue concerts; celebrities begging for money and clothes; failed camping attempts and blagged moments of luxury.... and a team of 30 hunters stopping at nothing to catch them. No celebrities were harmed in the making of this programme, only a few bruised egos.”

Now take a look at all of the Christmas specials airing this year:

Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide with Josie Gibson

The lovely Josie Gibson is hosting Channel 4's Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide this year, perfect if you need some last minute gift ideas.


Air date: 9th December (8pm)
Channel: BBC

​Richard Osman's Festive House of Games

Richard Osman hosts a week of festive special of hit game show House of Games.


Air date: 9th-13th December
Channel: BBC Two

Bargain Hunt Christmas Special

The Bargain Hunt team will take part in a special festive episode this year.


Air date: 16th December (12.15pm)
Channel: BBC

The Young Offenders Christmas special

Conor and Jock set off on a chaotic adventure to give Mairead, who has been ill in hospital, the white Christmas she has always dreamed of.


Air date: 16th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC Three and BBC iPlayer

Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas

Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.


Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC

The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special

As well as being renewed for two more series, Channel 5 bosses have confirmed that drama series The Good Ship Murder will have a Christmas special this year. Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward will reprise their roles as First Officer Kate Woods and Jack Grayling.


Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: Channel 5

The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2024

Ian "H" Watkins, EastEnder Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and TV personality Charlotte Crosby put their sewing skills to the test in this year's Christmas special.


Air date: 19th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special

Ahead of the new series in 2025, Alison Hammond returns to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for a heartwarming Christmas special this year.


Air date: 19th December (8.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

Casualty Christmas special

Ahead of the new series starting later in December, the cast of Casualty have filmed an emotional Christmas episode which is called All I Want for Christmas.


Air date: 21st December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Antiques Roadshow at Christmas

The Antiques Roadshow marks the festive season with a look back at some of the year's highlights and updates about items that have appeared on the series.

Air date: 22nd December (7.30pm)
Channel: BBC One

Would I Lie to You? at Christmas

Laura Smyth, David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Lenny Rush and Rustie Lee take part in the 2024 Would I Lie to You? Christmas special.


Air date: 23rd December (7pm)
Channel: BBC One

Royal Carols : Together At Christmas

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside other members of the Royal Family, attend a carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Air date: 24th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Great Christmas Bake Off

Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. This year, soap stars Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson will take part.


Air date: 24th December (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Gogglebox - Best of 2024

Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from Gogglebox 2024, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.


Air date: 24th December (9.15pm)
Channel: Channel 4

The Weakest Link Christmas Special

Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.


Air date: 25th December (3.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

Comedian Josh Widdicombe, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce, presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiator Nitro, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and motor racing driver Billy Monger will take part in the 2024 Christmas special.


Air date: 25th December (3.55pm)
Channel: BBC

Doctor Who: Joy to the World

Following on from last year's Christmas special, Ncuti Gatwa returns as Doctor Who, with actress Nicola Coughlan joining the cast as Joy.


Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Piano: Christmas Special

Claudia Winkleman, Mika and Lang Lang kickstart the festive season with an array of live music performances and treats inside Turbine Hall for The Piano Christmas special.


Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Call the Midwife

Unlike previous years, this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special will be split into two parts! The 2024 special consists of two 60-minute episodes – complete with a Christmas cliffhanger!


Air date: (Part One) 25th December (7.55pm) and (Part Two) 26th December (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Gavin and Stacey

Five years after THAT cliffhanger on the last Christmas special, the Gavin and Stacey gang are back for the final ever episode of the sitcom this year! Will we finally get answers about Smithy and Nessa?!


Air date: 25th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC

Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas

Despite the show's controversy over the years, Mrs. Brown's Boys has become somewhat of staple on Christmas Day! The show is back for a Christmas and New Year's special in 2024.


Air date: 25th December (11.05pm)
Channel: BBC One

Blankety Blank Christmas Special

Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.


Air date: 26th December (7.35pm)
Channel: BBC One

Outnumbered

Gavin and Stacey isn't the only show getting a revival this Christmas, sitcom Outnumbered is also making a return to our screens, featuring all of the original cast!


Air date: 26th December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC

The Masked Singer Christmas Special

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders join Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, and Davina McCall on The Masked Singer panel for the 2024 Christmas special. This year's characters include Star, Turkey Crown, Nutcracker, and Christmas Cracker.

Air date: 26th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The 1% Club Christmas Special

Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.


Air date: 26th December (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Repair Shop Christmas

The team are back for another Christmas special this year


Air date: 27th December (1.25pm)
Channel: BBC One

Beyond Paradise Christmas special

It wouldn't be Christmas without a Beyond Paradise Christmas special!


Air date: 27th December (8.30pm)
Channel: BBC One

Wheel of Fortune Christmas Special

Ahead of the new series, Graham Norton will host a Christmas special episode of gameshow Wheel of Fortune.

Air date: 28th December (7pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Split Barcelona

Popular BBC drama The Split will return this Christmas for a two-part special, set out in Barcelona. Set two years on from series three, the show will see the likes of Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Fiona Button, Annabel Scholey and Deborah Findlay all feature.


Air date: 29th and 30th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special

Jeremy Clarkson will welcome a number of celebrity guests for this year's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? special.

Air date: 29th December (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

Vera series 14

Brenda Blethyn is back as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for the final time as Vera series 14 airs this Christmas.


Air date: 1st and 2nd January (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

Gladiators: Celebrity Special

Ahead of the new series in early 2025, there will be a celebrity special of Gladiators airing this Christmas! Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Ellie Taylor and Louise Minchin will take part.


Air date: 1st January (6pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Great New Year Bake Off

Returning bakers from past series of Bake Off will appear on this year's New Year Bake Off, including Kevin, Norman, Nicky, James, Lea and Peter.


Air date: 3rd January (7.40pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Celebrity Hunted begins on 5th January 2025.

Now read:

Trailer released for final ever episode of Gavin and Stacey

Netflix users are binging Christmas thriller Black Doves in one sitting

Release date revealed for new series of Call the Midwife ahead of double-episode Christmas special

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