'We lost £250,000 fortune on ITV game show - but we really can't complain'

Two players on a game show lost out on a whopping £250,000 but were still left feeling thankful. Friends and cleaning business partners Chelsey and Briony were eliminated from a brand new season of The Fortune Hotel before they even got to set foot in the venue.

The second season of the ITV show, which is hosted by Stephen Mangan, sees 11 pairs making their way to a hotel in the Caribbean with the aim of checking in and getting their hands on a briefcase containing a £250,000 fortune. But before even entering the hotel, the episode saw players tasked with a tricky challenge. All of the contestants had to figure out a cryptic crossword that informed them where they needed to go, but sadly Chelsey and Briony were not quick enough and were sent packing.

Despite being the first pair to be eliminated from the competition and missing out on a quarter of a million pounds, the two players, both from Wigan, said that they "didn't mind". Speaking to Metro, Chesney said that it was still a "once in a lifetime" experience.

They shared: "It weren't all bad. We can't really complain. We had an all-inclusive holiday in an absolutely stunning place that not many people would see with your best friend. We got to do things on the island. It was surreal, once in a lifetime."

Briony added that the experience was "fantastic" as she shared that they also went river tubing and visited some waterfalls.

Another game show contestant recently shared that they also missed out on a huge cash pay out - but they actually made it to the end of their show and won.

Quiz show and TV regular Tony Fillingham, 51, from Cheshire, appeared on Channel 5's never-aired gameshow 5 Second Stars, where he won £23,000.

The contestant teamed up with Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway but the experience ended up being all that he got. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk via OLBG.com, he explained: "I never saw a penny of my £23,000 winnings from 5 Second Stars - all because the show never aired."