Fearless Kay Burley gets hunted down in charity TV show

Wigan-born news presenter Kay Burley has revealed her experience of going on the run from the law in an upcoming charity TV show.
Kay Burley with ex-detective Paul Cashmore, who hunted Kay in the show Celebrity Hunted. Proceeds from the programme went to Stand Up To CancerKay Burley with ex-detective Paul Cashmore, who hunted Kay in the show Celebrity Hunted. Proceeds from the programme went to Stand Up To Cancer
Kay Burley with ex-detective Paul Cashmore, who hunted Kay in the show Celebrity Hunted. Proceeds from the programme went to Stand Up To Cancer

The Sky News anchor, who hails from Beech Hill, will appear in an episode of Celebrity Hunted, a charity version of the BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 show, for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

The show sees ordinary citizens, or celebrities in this case, go on the run as mock-fugitives, with intelligence and security experts using their years of experience to track them down.

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Kay went on the run for two weeks while tenacious former Met police officer and bodyguard Paul Cashmore was tasked with hunting her down.

Kay and other celebrites, including comedian Dom Joly and Olympian Louis Smith will be on screenKay and other celebrites, including comedian Dom Joly and Olympian Louis Smith will be on screen
Kay and other celebrites, including comedian Dom Joly and Olympian Louis Smith will be on screen

In an interview promoting the programme, she said: “The whole experience of being hunted was nerve-jangling, terrifying at times, and exhausting. Ultimately, it was also exhilarating.”

“I found myself hiding in dark corners, sleeping fitfully on a cliff face and taking part in a slow-speed motorway chase in a bread van, while higher-octane escapades included a London Fire Brigade boat trip down the Thames.”

She went on: “I also learned some invaluable survival techniques, including how to evade capture using fish hooks and dogs legs. Not skills I’ve needed since I returned to the newsroom, so far!”

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Alongside other celebrities including Dom Joly and Olympic gymnast Louis Smith, Kay started off at a Central London location before heading off on her own trail, accompanied by MP and former commando Johnny Mercer.

She was equipped with a rucksack, minimal clothing, a compass and road map, £50 in cash and a credit card with another £50 on it.

And it was all in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, a cause Kay was willing to throw her weight behind.

“Cancer has left a scar on my life,” she said.

“It has claimed some of the people most dear to me - my mother, my aunt, my grandmother, numerous friends - and I’ve had my own cancer scares too.”

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She added: “There can’t be a single family that hasn’t been touched by it.

“While on the run I had a lot of time to think about the pain and loss this wretched disease causes.”

Celebrity Hunted will air on Channel 4 later this month. To make a donation to Stand Up To Cancer, visit channel4.com/su2c