TV review: 24 Hours To Go Broke, Dave

We need to talk about Dave. Something strange is happening. The channel famed for its strict adherence to a diet of bought-in repeats is belatedly venturing into the world of original programming.

Hot on the heels of previous new commissions Dara O’Briain: School of Hard Sums and Dave Gorman Modern Life is Goodish, comes 24 Hours To Go Broke.

This latest new commission challenges a pair of celebrity contestants to spend £8,000 in 24 hours. Not as straightforward as it sounds as the contestants are sent abroad and must buy experiences rather than goods. And to make it more interesting, there is a forfeit for failure.

With other episodes in the series set in Armenia, Germany, Greece and Iceland, the location chosen for the challenge handed to heavyweight boxer David Haye and middleweight comedian Seann Walsh was closer to home: Cork, in the south of Ireland.

The experiences the celebrity pair bought included a night visit with attendant paranormal investigators to a supposed haunted island, hurling lessons, road bowling and betting on Jack Russell to outrun a greyhound.

Being Ireland, a pub was visited, drink was taken and everybody looked like they were having a great time. All harmless and inconsequential fun, but the pressure to splash the cash led to the less than wise decisions to pay local men to jump into the harbour at night and take a punch from the former champ. Not on my watch, thanks.

That reservation aside, the mix of comedy celebrity challenge, game show and travelogue in 24 Hours To Go Broke makes for a pleasant, if undemanding, watch.

The revelation of the programme was David Haye, who dominated proceedings throughout and made the transition from the ring to the box with the assurance of a natural performer.

Future episodes feature the talents of Josh Widdicombe, Rachel Riley, Phil Tufnell and Susan Calman.

24 Hours To Go Broke airs Tuesdays at 10pm on digital channel Dave.