Hunted Australia 2023’s gamer duo, Ben and Callum were captured during the Monday, July 24 episode of the hit series, after coincidentally being given shelter by Ground Hunter Kellie’s brother, Matt.
While it seemed super suspicious that Matt just happened to be near the pair, both Fugitives are adamant there’s no way it was “planned” by producers.
“It was disappointing,” Ben told Mediaweek after his elimination. “But there’s no way that you could ever plan for this one. We were actually blown away. I was laughing at how silly it was when I found out.”
Callum, who was also sitting in on the interview said it took them by “surprise”.
“Absolute credit to him. He took us completely by surprise. I think it’s one of those things where I will be maybe a little bit more sceptical about strangers [from now on].”
Ben and Matt. Ten
Looking back at the situation, both Ben and Callum said there was never a point where it appeared as though their saviour-turned-rat felt remorse for single-handedly ruining their time on the run.
“He never showed any signs of feeling guilty. He had multiple opportunities to tell us and give us a headstart,” Ben said. “I think he took it from the lens that he’s helping his sister out because he definitely tried to make it as easy to capture us as humanly possible. I mean, you saw we got put to work for some drinks!”
Did anything about Matt raise Ben and Callum’s suspicions?
According to the IT pro and nurse, there were a few suspicious moves by Matt; however, they thought their chances of being handed into the Hunters were practically zero.
“When we think about it now, he did leave the room a few times. While we were cutting wood he left for a little bit. But that said, it was grabbing another barrel for us to fill with firewood,” Ben explained.
“If we look at it from a suspicious lens, they were probably our signs, but I think the thing was always, ‘This guy can’t turn us in. There’s just no means of him doing that. So we’re safe. We’re good.’ It was just one of those things we couldn’t account for it and could not have been prepared for.”
Matt. Ten
As for whether they’d want to do another season if asked back?
“If we got given the opportunity I’d like another crack because we had a lot more to give,” Callum said, while Ben added: “I’m still team Fugitive. I think if the opportunity arises, I’ll do it again. Consider this the beta test, right?”
10 fugitives remain on the run as Hunted continues Tuesday night at 7.30 pm on 10 and 10 Play.