A Four In A Bed viral clip has been praised by viewers after hotel owner Saban revealed he deliberately overpaid for a rival stay to prevent another pair from winning the Channel 4 competition.
The programme sees four hotel or bed and breakfast owners visit one another’s establishments before scoring their experiences and paying what they believe each room is worth. The property with the highest score compared with its actual prices wins.
In the episode, Saban paid £500 for a stay at Mark and Anne’s B&B – £220 more than the room’s stated price. He initially suggested that the extra money reflected the property’s luxury and attention to detail.
He then turned to fellow contestants Ami and Mark and explained that he had made the payment after concluding they were deliberately giving low scores to their rivals in an attempt to secure victory.
“The other reason is, there is no way I can allow you two to win,” Saban said.
“It was a game play from the start, the way I see it I cheated to stop the other cheaters winning.”
The exchange has prompted a strong reaction on social media, with one viewer describing the moment as “absolute cinema”. Others called it the best episode of the programme and praised Saban for “humbling” the pair.
Several viewers compared the scene with a famous Come Dine With Me episode from 2016, in which Pete Marsh launched into a furious rant after finishing fourth.
Comments included: “This is what British TV is all about. Gimme more of this petty nonsense where everyone hates each other,” and: “This is TV Gold. What an absolute legend.”
Saban later discussed the decision in an interview, saying he had wanted to overpay by even more but had been stopped from doing so by programme bosses.
He also criticised the scoring of other establishments, including one where he said there were cigarette burns on the carpet and no smoke alarms, although the room cost £75 a night.
Saban runs the Stone Court House Hotel in Maidstone and said bookings increased after his episode was broadcast.
