Woke producers behind panned C4 show Go Back To Where You Came From ‘tricked clueless stars and brushed over red flags’
TV BOSSES behind the woke Channel 4 show Go Back To Where You Came From have been accused of using shameless tricks to convince stars to appear on the widely-panned series.
A whistleblower approached to appear on the programme - who wishes to remain anonymous - claims producers then left contestants in the lurch, with little aftercare to deal with a public backlash.
The four-part series, filmed last year, focused on two groups of people with differing views on refugees travelling to the UK from Syria and Somalia.
It was touted as "a unique and compelling perspective on the plight and flight of asylum seekers", but since airing has faced widespread criticism from TV critics and charity groups.
And according to the whistleblower - who decided to pull out shortly before the show began airing last month - the format was problematic from the outset.
He says he instantly spotted 'red flags' as bosses seemingly targeted contributors from specific backgrounds with "extreme" views.
He says they were then given little time to think about the consequences of signing up, with very little in the way of aftercare or support offered.
In early 2024, he says he was first contacted to participate in a show titled The Journey, produced for Channel 4 by Minnow Films - the company behind Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Katie Price: Harvey And Me.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, he reveals he was told filming would be for a serious documentary focused on the refugee experience to the UK through countries including Somalia and Syria.
It was only weeks ago that he discovered its true nature - an explosive reality series adapted from an Australian format, designed to pit participants against individuals with wildly polarising views.
The whistleblower, who describes themselves as an influencer in the diversity space, told us: “I have no experience of the subject matter whatsoever.
"So I was a bit like, 'Why have you approached me?'"
The man was among many approached by the production team.
He believes producers were deliberately casting individuals with extreme, controversial and 'woke' views, as well as Brits concerned about immigration, to create dramatic tension.
He said: “They were approaching people in a really targeted way, casting ‘woke’ people like me and immigration specialists, while also going to areas with riots and civil unrest to find people.
"That was a red flag for me.”
Pressure and persistent calls
Although initially hesitant, he says the pressure from producers mounted as senior staff made repeated calls urging him to participate.
He added: “They were very insistent. Then I got a call from senior producers, saying, 'You really need to do this. This is going to be so good for you’.
"And when an executive producer calls, it changes the narrative.”
Eventually, he was offered a standby role, which he eventually turned down shortly before filming began.
He also says he was given little information about the direction of the show, with the production team assuring him that it would remain focused on serious discussions.
The series' title was initially kept under wraps, but in mid-January, he was shocked to discover that it would air under the controversial name, Go Back To Where You Came From.
"It was always called The Journey. That’s how they get around it,” he says.
"They call it a ‘working title’. But they always knew it was based on the Australian show.
"If people had known what we know now, most wouldn’t have done it."
Troubling concerns
As production neared, he also became increasingly concerned about the psychological support available to participants, especially considering the sensitive nature of the subject matter.
He claims participants - who were told medical records were required - were given just one call with a psychologist before filming began, with no explanation of how further support could be requested.
"There was one 30-minute Zoom call with a psychologist,” he said.
“That was it. No follow-up, no way of reaching out. But they made it sound like there was a lot more safeguarding than there actually was.
People thought they were signing up for a serious documentary... Instead, it became a sensationalised reality show
Whistleblower
“We were told that there was some possibility that if people have psychological difficulties, the psychologist should be available to talk to them.
"But there was no way of getting back in touch with the psychologist at that stage.
"They were just making it seem like there was more safeguarding going on than there really was.”
The influencer also noted how quickly the filming process accelerated once participants had been cast, leaving little time to fully consider the consequences.
He shared: “They were very persistent last January with trying to get certain people on the programme, then they made their final decisions by May.
“All of a sudden you’re filming your little bits, and then you’re away for a month filming a show that, when it’s in post-production, becomes a completely different programme."
'Hold them accountable'
He believes Channel 4 and Minnow Films have failed their contributors by misrepresenting the nature of the show and not providing adequate protection once filming ended.
“Channel 4 is supposed to be a public service broadcaster. They should be held accountable for this,” he said.
While he pulled out before production began, he is grateful for the decision, saying: “I’m so glad that things turned out differently and I wasn’t on that show."
Despite his relief, he is deeply concerned for the people who took part in the show.
He wants Channel 4 and Minnow Films to be held accountable for he alleges amounted to misleading participants and exposing them to reputational and psychological harm.
"People thought they were signing up for a serious documentary," he said.
"Instead, it became a sensationalised reality show.
"Channel 4 relied on its reputation, Minnow Films relied on theirs, and now contributors are left in a really difficult position."
Go Back To Where You Came From is a format originated in Australia in 2011, and the series has spawned nine international versions.
The British adaptation faced significant criticism upon its February premiere, and there have been no official announcements regarding a second series.
When contacted for comment, Channel 4 said: "Duty of care and the safety of our contributors is of paramount importance and full psychological support was offered to all who took part, before, during and after filming.
"Contributors and potential contributors were provided with a fair, accurate and appropriate programme description with sufficient detail to enable them to decide if they wanted to participate.”
Minnow Films did not respond to The Sun's request for comment.