Hampshire student and her dad starring on Channel 4 TV show The Circle

A STUDENT and her father are adopting a fake identity for the return of a popular TV show.
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The new series of Channel 4’s The Circle will see contestants communicate and compete with each other online while housed separately in a block of flats in a bid to win the £100,000 prize.

Contestants can adopt fake identities – ‘catfishing’ one another – and in 2018, Alex Hobern scooped the cash prize after pretending to be a woman to the other players.

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In this series, Millie, a 20-year-old student from Hampshire, will compete alongside her father Jamie, both pretending to be Penny, 49-year-old letting agent from London.

Jamie & Millie from Hampshire, contestants in the Circle on Channel 4  Picture: Channel 4/PA WireJamie & Millie from Hampshire, contestants in the Circle on Channel 4  Picture: Channel 4/PA Wire
Jamie & Millie from Hampshire, contestants in the Circle on Channel 4 Picture: Channel 4/PA Wire
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Millie said: ‘It’s just one of the most unique games you can go into. With social media nowadays, it’s all about the way you present yourself.

‘So to go in and get to know someone, without seeing fully who the person is, is quite refreshing.’

Her father Jamie, a 57-year-old relationship therapist, will be helping her attempt to trick the other players into believing their act.

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Perhaps the most notable contestant in this year’s series is James Crossley, better known as Hunter from Gladiators.

He will be hoping to ‘catfish’ the other players by playing the game as NHS nurse Gemma.

‘I’ve always been somebody who’s enjoyed different challenges,’ he said.

‘I started off bodybuilding and then I went into Gladiators. After that I went into acting and competing in strongman.

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‘Most of the challenges I’ve done have been quite body crushing. I think The Circle will be an interesting challenge to try and get away with playing somebody else, it uses different muscles to what I’m used to.

‘I also really want to take this opportunity to give back to NHS nurses, winning the prize money would give me the chance to show my gratitude for all their hard work.’

Dating agency founder Yolanda, 30 from London, will be playing as her husband Chris.

Other players including 23-year-old accountant Vithun, 23-year-old receptionist Tally and 24-year-old recruitment consultant Manrika will be playing as themselves.

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Series three of The Circle starts on Tuesday, March 16 at 9.15pm on Channel 4.

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