The Fortune Hotel cast: Meet the 20 contestants competing for £250,000

On Monday 13 May, 10 pairs of contestants arrive at The Fortune Hotel, where they will be given an all-important briefcase. Inside one case is the ultimate jackpot of £250,000 in cash, eight are empty, and one contains the dreaded Early Checkout Card – whichever pair is left holding that case at the end of each show will see their stay brought to a dramatic, premature end.

At the end of each day, contestants have the chance to try and work out who has which case through a number of challenges. As the mystery ramps up for the guests, viewers will remain in-the-know and witness their plans and strategies play out.

The end of each episode sees the nerve-wracking case swap in the Lady Luck bar where each pair must decide if they want to keep or switch their case. Can the couple with the £250,000 blag their way through the contest or will their case be taken from them?

As the couples battle it out for the life-changing amount of money, OK! has everything you need to know about the contestants.

Jae and Cherish

Jae, 30, is a singer songwriter from South London and takes part with her best friend Cherish, 30, an artist also from South London. On why they took part, Jae said: "To do something fun and write our own history, we wanted to explore and have a new adventure.

Cherish said if they won they would "invest in ourselves, our families and into our dreams". She shared: "We’d also travel and do things for ourselves and our families that we haven’t been able to do for the last 30 years."

Claire and Daniel

Claire, 43 is a Commercial Director from Gloucestershire and is married to Daniel, 43, a barrister. On why they signed up to The Fortune Hotel, Claire said: "We always embrace adventure and wanted to do something together.

"The opportunity to do something outside of your comfort zone is always a good thing." Daniel added: "The weather was also a big factor and the opportunity for us to share an experience enticed us as parents because we don’t often get to spend time together just the two of us."

Gary and Lesley

Gary, 60, from Suffolk signed up with his partner Lesley, 55. On why they signed up, Lesley revealed: "Gary saw it being advertised online and asked me if we should apply and I agreed, it was as simple as that." Gary added: "Having been off work I was getting cabin fever and wanted to do something different, we’re getting older so want to fit in as many experiences as possible and this just happened to be something that interested us."

Jen and Susan

Jen, 44, an executive assistant from Lanarkshire teamed up with best friend Susan, 39, an investigator. On why she wanted to sign up, Jen shared: " When I came across the casting advert, I remember thinking, this show resembled White Lotus meets Glass Onion meets The Traitors and I thought Susan and I would be amazing at this! - coupled with the opportunity to get away with my best friend to sneak about at a luxury resort and steal money from people - We're IN!."

Scott and Tommy

Scott, 19, a bartender from North London and his best friend Tommy 19 a hair stylist apprentice signed up together. On why they chose to visit The Fortune Hotel, Scott shared: " It was impossible to say no to a holiday in a five star resort, we jumped at the chance."

Tommy said he would pay off his parents mortgage and invest the money if he won. Scott meanwhile said: "I’d think about it wisely but would definitely want to invest it."

Abbie and Tracey

Abbie, 18, a Skincare Consultant from Cardiff joined with her mum, Tracey, 51, also a Skincare Consultant. Tracey said of signing up: " I was desperate for a chance to get some sunshine and the opportunity to win 250K attracted me."

Abbie added: "When we got the opportunity for a free holiday I thought why not." Her mum revealed she'd spend the mum on "a VIP ticket to Tom Jones and to cover my children's university fees and I’d want to spoil all my friends and family with presents".

Chloe and Louie

Chloe, 38, an Aesthetics Practitioner and Educator from Bolton teamed up with her business partner Louie, 22, a skincare specialist for the show. On why she signed up, Chloe said: " Louie asked me if I’d be up for it and I thought free holiday with my bestie and business partner, why not. We also loved the chance to get dressed up every night for filming." Louie added: "I was interested in the experience and the chance to win such a huge amount of money."

Samm and Aysha

Samm, 30, a content creator signed up with wife Aysha, 30 and also a content creator from London. On why they chose The Fortune Hotel, Aysha said: "I’ve never experienced something so adventurous before, I felt very lucky and blessed to be given the chance." Samm added: "We’ve never travelled together so it was almost like a honeymoon for us without the relaxation and chill."

Jo-Anne and Will

Jo-Anne, 55, a Technical Instructor and Mental Health Worker from Sheffield teamed up with son Will, 20, a Digital Marketing Executive and Events Organiser. On signing up, Will said: "The idea of the prize money sounded very appealing. It’s also a once in a lifetime opportunity that you don’t get to do with your mum everyday."

Meanwhile, Jo-Anne laughed: "I didn’t have much choice, I was pegging the washing out and Will told me about the opportunity, the next thing I know I was on a plane to the Caribbean."

Adam and Michael

Adam, 37, a bricklayer from Bognor Regis paired up with best friend Mike, 35, a landscaper. Speaking about the decision to visit The Fortune Hotel, Adam said: " It’s a once in a lifetime experience to share with your best friend which isn’t something that comes around very often."

Michael added: " I couldn’t resist a free holiday in the Caribbean and also getting the chance to meet new people and have some fun."