BBC Destination X viewers call out 'fake' blunder minutes into show
BBC viewers were united in their reaction on Wednesday evening as Rob Brydon's fresh series Destination X made its debut.
The new reality competition show has 13 contestants embarking on an epic European adventure, but there's a twist – not everything is as straightforward as it appears.
Aboard the mysterious X-bus with its blacked-out windows, the participants' only task is to deduce their location on the continent by deciphering a trail of clues.
Each episode culminates with the contestants marking an X on a map; the one whose guess is furthest from their true location faces elimination.
Yet, as the programme began, it seemed that the initial scenes, featuring hopefuls at an airport ready for their enigmatic journey, didn't quite win over all the viewers, reports Wales Online.
One viewer expressed disinterest: "No, can't be bothered with this. They all seem annoying."
Another was sceptical, posting: "Blatantly a fake airport lounge #DestinationX". A third shared their disbelief, commenting: "Straight away I call shenanigans. No way British people will talk so quickly to strangers in an airport lounge. #DestinationX"
One unimpressed comment read: "#DestinationX is a bit s**t so far." However, some viewers were instantly captivated by the show, with one saying: "Giving #DestinationX ago enjoying it so far."
Another added praise for the host: "Rob Brydon steals the show in everything he's in. Love him #DestinationX"
Throughout the programme, participants were whisked away by helicopter whilst sporting distinctive goggles that obscured their view from the aircraft windows.
Nevertheless, there were brief instances when the eyewear permitted glimpses of the outside world, offering contestants fleeting opportunities to work out their destination.
All they could make out were rolling fields and rural landscapes, with some speculating whether they'd been deceived and simply flown in circles back to where they started.
In an ingenious move, audiences at home were also invited to participate as the programme deliberately withheld the contestants' actual location, encouraging viewers to make their own educated guesses.
Fans would need to remain patient until the episode's conclusion to learn whether their predictions had hit the mark.
In a brutal development, three participants faced immediate removal from the contest before even departing the airport, as Rob set them a challenge to locate items bearing specific names with limited tickets up for grabs.
Those who failed to secure the required names found themselves heading home empty-handed, losing their shot at the £100,000 prize.
Discussing the fresh format, presenter Rob Brydon revealed: "I've never done a TV show on this scale before. I loved the idea of it, the combination of having to work out clues as to where you are and having to get on with each other.
"It struck me as the best bits of The Traitors with the best bits of Race Across the World."
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