Where is Scared of The Dark filmed? Bunker location of the Channel 4 reality show
Which celebrities are scared of the dark?
Scared of The Dark on Channel 4 has taken the UK by storm, with viewers gripped by the innovative reality series. But where can the infamous bunker featured in the show be found?
In what is described as a world first, celebrities have entered a pitch black bunker where they will live, eat and sleep in total darkness. Scared of The Dark sees the famous faces locked in the dark for 180 hours as they take on challenges - made even more tough when undertaken with the loss of a major sense. Should they fail a challenge, privileges are lost and life gets even harder. A win signals treats, and some time spent in the much-needed light. If anyone decides the tough conditions are too much for them, they can halt the challenge or opt out of the show altogether by saying "I'M SCARED OF THE DARK". But where is the mysterious bunker where the celebrities have been locked up and deprived of their sight? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the location featured in the show.
For reality show fans, we have everything you need to know about the upcoming I'm A Celeb... South Africa series, including the line up and start date. Viewers have also been quick to ask why has Rylan quit Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two? The presenter has opened up about the reasons behind his decision to leave the popular show. Also on the BBC, Anton & Giovanni: Adventures in Sicily filmed the reality series in places fans of The White Lotus might recognise.
Where is Scared of The Dark filmed?
Scared of The Dark is filmed at the Cardington Airship Sheds, near Bedford. Originally forming part of Cardington Airfield, the huge Cardington Sheds have dominated the landscape in the area since 1915.
The second shed, or Hangar 2, now forms the Cardington Studios. The Studios have been used for filming huge movies such as Rogue One, Christopher Nolan's Batman films, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, and Justice League among many others. As one of the largest indoor spaces in Europe, Cardington Studios is also a top choice for stadium tour rehearsals, with stars from Paul McCartney and the Spice Girls, to One Direction and Take That having used the space to rehearse from.
The Scared of The Dark Bunker found at Cardington Studios, is a purpose-built living space designed to block out any light. To enable audiences to see what the celebrities get up to, the bunker is rigged with 50 infrared cameras.
Speaking about the premise and hosting the show, Danny Dyer said "Being the host of it is beautiful, because I get them in and then I just watch it all unfold. I think that it's really simple, and there's just something really funny about watching people walking around in the dark banging their shins on things. It's really simple and bloody funny."
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
He continued "And of course the brilliant twist is, Chris McCausland, who is a blind comedian, is also in there, and the way that pans out with a man that in everyday life has to depend on a lot of people in the light. But in the dark, of course he's the hero of the piece. So clever, and a really good mix of celebrities. And it's a very emotional show, I'll tell you."
A post shared by Sam Moore (@visualair)
A photo posted by on
Who is in Scared of The Dark?
Alongside host Danny Dyer, the celebrities entering the bunker are:
- Paul Gascoigne
- Scarlett Moffatt
- Chris Eubank
- Chris McCausland
- Donna Preston
- Chloe Burrows
- Max George
- Nicola Adams
Speaking about why she agreed to take part in Scared of The Dark, Scarlett Moffatt said "To be honest, all of my career in this mad industry has been made up of fun and quirky opportunities. Whether it's going to Namibia, or doing I'm a Celeb, or watching the TV with my family, it's all been a little bit outside the box. So I think, whenever I get given an opportunity I just grab it with both hands, because I think, 'Who else is ever going to get to do this?' Do you know what I mean? So I always just go, 'Yeah, of course. Yeah.'"
On whether she's actually scared of the dark, Scarlett replied "I'm not scared of the dark, well, I'm scared of what's in the dark. If that makes sense. So I'm not scared of night time. You know when you turn the light off in your bedroom, and then you run to your bed? I feel like I still do that. So I feel like I'm not scared of the dark, but I'm not a massive fan of it."
A post shared by Scarlett Moffatt (@scarlettmoffatt)
A photo posted by on
Scared of The Dark: Review
Reactions to Scared of The Dark have been mixed, with both critics and audiences either loving or hating it.
Lucy Mangan from The Guardian was totally unimpressed, offering the series only one star. Calling it "The stupidest reality show of all time," she went on to add "Boring, derivative and occasionally downright horrible, this series convinces celebrities to spend a week fumbling around a pitch-black bunker. It’s tedious in the extreme."
Benji Wilson from The Telegraph was in agreement, also only offering one star. He said "It would be too easy to use people stumbling around in the pitch black as a metaphor for whichever executives came up with Scared of the Dark, but in the spirit of grabbing at the very first idea that comes in to your head, let’s do it anyway. Picture the scene, if you will: Gazza, Scarlett Moffatt, someone from Love Island whose agent has been hammering the phones till the lines burn and a few other D-list factotums enter a house without light and have to stay there for eight days while we watch them on infrared cameras. And that, really, was that."
However, Nick Hilton from The Independent had an entirely different opinion, offering awarding the show a whopping four stars. He said "I’m not sure the show’s creators had Plato in mind when they conceived of Scared of the Dark but it does have a primal, almost metaphorical, appeal. There are all the expected observations about the subversions of normal social structures, about overcoming phobias and learning to live a less materialistic life. But then there’s also the appeal for the viewers of seeing a group of celebrities slowly descending into madness. The psychological torture of being locked in a room with Chris Eubank is TV gold."
Disagreeing with The Guardian only offering the series one star, a Twitter user expressed their enjoyment of the show by saying "Another bad TV take from The Guardian... I hate to admit it, but Scared of the Dark is actually very entertaining. The best thing Channel 4 have put on in ages. Even if it rips off Total Blackout... Danny Dyer gives it identity + brings it to life."
Another bad TV take from The Guardian ...I hate to admit it, but Scared of the Dark is actually very entertaining. The best thing Channel 4 have put on in ages. Even if it rips off Total Blackout...Danny Dyer gives it identity + brings it to life.https://t.co/VvT4ARjgUEApril 17, 2023
With reference to some of the known mental health challenges faced by some of the contestants, another Twitter user was concerned about their welfare. She said "I hate to be all po-faced about it, but subjecting a man with ongoing mental health issues and a history of psychosis to sensory deprivation seems like a pretty bad idea #ScaredOfTheDark."
Related Channel 4 Features:
- How did Paula Yates die? Channel 4 documentary Paula looks at the life of the tragic star
- What did George Michael do and why was he arrested? Channel 4 documentary Outed looks at the late singer’s public coming out
- What did Charles Bronson go to prison for, and when could he be released? Channel 4 documentary Bronson: Fit to Be Free? looks at his life
- Where is Countdown filmed? All you need to know about the hit Channel 4 show
- Is The Light in The Hall based on a true story? Inspiration behind the Channel 4 murder drama
- The Light in The Hall ending explained: Who killed Ela in the Channel 4 murder mystery?
- Where is The Light in The Hall filmed? Locations in Wales featured in the Channel 4 murder mystery drama
Video of The Week
Lucy is a mum-of-two, multi-award nominated writer and blogger with six years’ of experience writing about parenting, family life, and TV. Lucy has contributed content to PopSugar and moms.com. In the last three years, she has transformed her passion for streaming countless hours of television into specialising in entertainment writing. There is now nothing she loves more than watching the best shows on television and sharing why you - and your kids - should watch them.
-
Balamory is back after two decades - why we can’t wait for the reboot of the iconic BBC series
What's the story in Balamory? Now you can find out, as the BBC announces the return of the beloved children's series nearly 20 years after the final episode aired.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? With more great representation in the show, this expert shares how to start the conversation around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? It's a question many have asked, and you might need to have conversations around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Eric a true story? Benedict Cumberbatch lives every parent’s worst nightmare in new Netflix show
Is Eric a true story? Every parent’s worst nightmare plays out in Netflix's latest show, against a backdrop of 80s New York grappling with AIDS and racism.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Normal People season 2 rumours are circulating, and we have our own Marianne and Connell 'first love' stories to share
Normal People season 2 rumours are flying around, and we have our own Marianne and Connell moments to share - because everyone remembers their first heartbreak.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Channel 4 drama The Gathering explores 'toxic teenagers and their even more toxic parents' in an online world dominated by social media
New Channel 4 drama explores the challenges of impossible standards set by social media, and how parents themselves become toxic in their need to protect their kids.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Brandy pregnant? Bluey fans think the Heelers could be about to welcome a new cousin following the season 3 finale
Eagle-eyed Bluey viewers are wondering if Aunt Brandy is pregnant, following a touching moment in the season three finale.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Is Bluey ending? What we know about the rumours around the kids' cartoon, as the Heelers put their house up for sale
Bluey's producer has shared an update on the show's future
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
CoComelon has been accused of being 'overstimulating' - the experts explain why it's ok to let your kid watch the popular cartoon
CoComelon is adored by kids around the world, but some experts have shared reasons they don't think children should be watching - we look at both sides of the argument.
By Lucy Wigley Published