RTÉ denies claims popular programme was rigged

RTÉ has strongly denied claims that its popular reality TV show Treasure Island had been rigged from the outset.

Last year’s beaten finalist, Tom Barton, alleged the show was rigged because contestants were given help when solving clues.

He also said that some scenes were manipulated for the camera, including the final episode where the last two contestants battled it out for the 63,000 euro prize.

The grand finale between himself and winner Yvonne Cronin was filmed over two days.

A spokesperson for RTÉ said last night that Mr Barton’s allegations were untrue.

“Of course we’re denying these allegations because they simply aren’t true,” the spokesperson said.

Responding directly to reports in a Sunday newspaper that contestants were given help to solve difficult clues, and that scenes were scripted for the camera, the spokesperson added:

“All these claims are untrue and any reports to the contrary is a matter for the lawyers.”

And another Sunday newspaper alleged that RTÉ initiated legal moves to prevent them from investigating rumours the show used “unscrupulous tactics”.

RTÉ said last night that their legal representatives are dealing with this matter. If the winner breaks a strict confidentiality clause after leaving the island, they will forfeit the 50,000 prize.

Screening of the latest series finished at the end of June and the winner will be revealed on Sunday, August 11.

This is the second year the big budget show produced by Coco Television Productions Ltd has been screened on RTÉ.

It has attracted audiences of 325,000 on its 8pm prime-time slot on Sunday nights.

A further 170,000 tune in to the uncut version of the programme screened on Network 2 on Monday night.

This year’s show has attracted huge interest among viewers with Aoife MacCana, the character everyone loves to hate, keeping the show tension-filled.