Celebrity Hunted Series 4 | Interview with Chizzy Akudolu

Why did you decide to do Celebrity Hunted?

It’s one of those experiences which you don’t get to have unless you’re actually on the run and I don’t plan on committing a crime any time soon!. It’ll be fascinating to find out what it is actually like to be lacking in resources and constantly looking over your shoulder.

Are you good at teamwork?

I’m really good at teamwork. As an actor you’re always working as part of an ensemble. ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’. It’s always great to have somebody else by your side.

Why did you team up with Lisa?

I’m a massive So Solid Crew fan. We seem to have the same energy and I just knew we would get on. The first time we spoke on FaceTime, I was surprised we’d never met before because we are so similar. Maybe that’s too much fabulosity in one pairing. And also, volume.

What skills do you think you’ll be able to transfer from your profession as an actress?

We’re going to go for the element of disguise since there’s so much CCTV, and if they track us down to a shop we’re going to go with accents and characters. We definitely can’t go in as ourselves.

Any other tactics to evade the Hunters?

Yes, Lisa is going to try not to laugh so much because her laugh is extremely distinctive. I’m going to try to be a bit quieter. But we’re going to keep moving. We’re not necessarily going to be staying with famous people because that’s probably what they’re expecting. We plan on doing a little bit of work on the run for our supper. If we had the resources and had the money it would be great to be staying in hotels and getting massages for two weeks, but who wants to see that?

What work are you going to do?

We have this tomato farm as one of our contacts so we plan on working there so we can get fed. We might take a couple of tomatoes for the road.

Are you competitive?

We are in this to win it. I don’t really enter competitions to lose. Except Strictly, I thought I’d get to week three or four, but it wasn’t to be. Big fan of that show and I’d always wanted to do it. But quiz shows and the like… I enter those to win.

Do you think your fame will help or hinder you?

Both. There are people who know who I am, but there are also those that don’t. Where it’s going to help is when we need a favour. And where it’s going to hinder is if we really don’t want to be recognised. What’s great is that we’re going to have masks because we’re still in a pandemic. I think that will really help.

What do you think of the Hunters?

They’re incredible. They’re relentless but I’m not scared. I’m excited. I don’t want to see or meet one, though. Not until after the show.

Do you have a strong network?

I have quite a strong network. I started hitting up people who I hadn’t really even thought of as a contact and they were coming through with amazing ideas and concepts. Lisa’s got a very extensive contact list. Between us two we’ve got a pretty good plan. Although obviously plans can change at a moment’s notice.

What are your survival skills like?

I know how to go into a supermarket and buy food. I don’t know how to cook it on a campfire. I’ve never been camping. I’ve never slept outside. I’m not great with bugs. So that’ll be interesting. Anything that flies in front of my face freaks me out. Also, I have to have a shower wherever I stay. Good luck finding that if we’re stuck in a field.

Are you proud to be supporting Stand Up To Cancer?

Extremely proud. Cancer is one of those diseases that everybody knows about. We all understand the importance of donating to cancer charities. It affects us all in some way or another. Either you’ve suffered from it or you’ve lost someone to it, or you know someone who is battling it. We all have a stake in cancer. Cancer is not sexist, it’s not racist, it’s not ageist, it doesn’t care who you are.

Has your life ever been touched by cancer?

I’ve lost a few people but most recently my Aunty Mary, my mother’s cousin. She passed earlier this year from breast cancer. She was an amazing woman. One of those people who was never judgmental, always smiling. Her children have just been incredible in the way they supported and looked after their mum, I’m in awe of them. It’s awful seeing someone you love slipping away. Now she’s out of pain but for the people that are left, it’s very hard to deal with. So, this is for Aunty Mary and for her four children, Emeka, Ikeme, Nneka and Nnamdi, who were her absolute rocks.

You have a great sense of humour; will you be using humour to cope with the pressure of being relentlessly hunted down?

I use humour practically all the time to deal with any kind of pressure. It’s a great antidote, but it’s also a great way to hide how you’re feeling. I have depression and there’s times when I haven’t got time to break down so I will use humour to get me through that day, to get me home where I feel safe. Then I can release. We shouldn’t bottle it up but there are times when you’ve got a job to do. It’s just become who I am. It works for me so I’m happy.

Is there anything about the pressure and isolation of the show that worries you in terms of your depression?

Absolutely. I don’t know how I’m going to cope when I am on the run. I won’t have the support mechanisms that I usually have in place. I’m hoping and praying that it doesn’t become an issue. The thing with depression is that you never know when it’s going to hit. Usually, for me, it’s when I’m in a really good place. It’s gonna be interesting. Lisa’s a great person to talk to. We will basically be building each other up. If one of us is feeling down, the other will be there for support and vice versa.

Do you have any hidden skills or talents?

I am a martial artist. I stopped doing it 10 years ago. I got to brown belt in karate. But I don’t know if I’m going to get to use it on the Hunters because I don’t think we’re actually allowed to fight them. If we get caught, we get caught. But Lisa boxes, so we might have a couple of little spars to keep ourselves entertained. I can be quite organised when I want to be but I’m also very spontaneous.

Have you ever used a disguise before?

Only as an Actor. We’re definitely going to try a few disguises. I’m going to be covering my hair because my locks are quite conspicuous. The sort of hairstyle that would stand out on CCTV. I used to do accent Tuesdays where I would talk in a different accent all day. They’re handy in my career.

Have you ever used a fake name?

Yes. Back in the day when I used to get hit on in the streets in my 20’s. I would say my name was Lorraine. Not so much hitting on these days, alas…

What vehicles can you drive?

A car and a minivan.

Are you any good at travelling light?

No, not in the slightest. We’re going to have a tent and a sleeping bag…. I don’t really like wearing dirty clothes. If we’re out in the sticks, and we’re in camping, we’ll try, and hand wash our stuff. In a river, maybe..? I do have a lot of essentials… facewash, moisturiser, toner, cotton wool, copious amounts of underwear…

Will any famous friends help you out?

Yes. My friend and fellow Actor, Laila Rouass is my first contact. I’ve also been in touch with Aldo Zilli and Jean Christophe Novelli, who won the last series. They’re up for helping. As is the lovely Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath. Maybe we could feed the lions at Longleat and earn some money.

What will you miss?

The people you call to talk nonsense to and my phone which is an extension of my hand – and my cat. He sleeps on my bed. I always miss him when I go away.

Do you think your friends and family will be good at lying for you?

Yes, they’ll be brilliant liars. They know how important it is for us to succeed in there so their lies will be extravagant. My sister’s a barrister. I’m not saying she’s a liar but she’s very good with words.

Can you slum it?

I am a big toilet snob. I’ll go to a club and if I don’t like the toilet, within half-an-hour I’m gone. I just don’t like dirty toilets. Can I slum it? I really don’t think so. This should be interesting.

Have you learned from previous celebrities’ mistakes?

Yes, I binged the last series and saw Lucy and Lydia book a spa! If you’re going to a spa, don’t book it! Just turn up! I suppose you start to relax, and the days go by, but the Hunters are professionals, it’s their job to track us. We must never slip or feel a false sense of security, that’s when you’ll get caught.

What do you think will be the hardest thing about going off the grid?

It’s going to be hard with the limited budget that we have. We’re used to just going into a shop and buying what we want. Now we really have to budget and be careful how we spend our money. I’ll miss my support network and of course, my bed. I love sleep more than food and that’s saying something ?