The Fortune Hotel fans gobsmacked after 'harsh' twist just minutes into season two

The Fortune Hotel fans were left gobsmacked after a "harsh" twist just minutes into season two.

Presented by Stephen Mangan, the second series welcomes 22 fresh contestants who arrive at the luxurious retreat in pairs.

Each duo receives a mystery briefcase - most contain nothing, whilst one conceals a staggering £250,000 jackpot, and another harbours the feared early departure card.

The new series, which launched on Wednesday evening (August 6), began with the holiday-makers touching down at Grenada airport, where Stephen greeted them.

Yet their enthusiasm quickly turned to concern when the presenter disclosed that one couple wouldn't be securing entry to the hotel, reports the Mirror.

"Your first challenge is to find a room key and make it to the hotel. But there are eleven pairs here and there only ten rooms available at The Fortune Hotel," Stephen explained.

"Only the first five pairs to arrive at the hotel will be guaranteed a room. If you're among the bottom six pairs, then you will be in danger because one of those pairs will be heading home."

The duos were subsequently taken to the harbour, where they faced the task of unlocking their accommodation key by solving a crossword puzzle.

Following their successful arrival at the hotel, the leading five couples selected their cases, with Jake and Mike covertly claiming the £250,000 prize.

Meanwhile, the remaining six pairs had to cautiously dodge selecting a case containing an early departure card. At the end of the nail-biting challenge, best friends Briony and Chelsey selected the ill-fated suitcase, resulting in their immediate departure before even checking into the hotel.

Another duo will also be given their marching orders after receiving the next early checkout card, although their identities remain under wraps for now.

The season two premiere left several viewers gobsmacked, who promptly took to social media to express their astonishment at the unexpected elimination twist.

"Someone getting eliminated before it starts? Well I never saw that coming," one individual posted on X (formerly Twitter).

A second chimed in: "So much for ITV budget cuts flying 11 couples to the Caribbean only to fly one pair home back on day 1," while another commented: "Wow harsh start to the show I love it."

A fourth fan echoed these thoughts, stating: "With only 10 rooms available, one couple's time in paradise will end almost as soon as it has begun. Talking about overbooking."

Meanwhile, another viewer speculated that Briony and Chelsey might make a comeback, suggesting: "I'm guessing that Chelsey and Briony will get some kind of reprieve later in the series."

The Fortune Hotel is available to stream on ITVX