Squid Game horror as contestants on new Netflix show stretchered off in freezing weather during UK filming
NETFLIX’s real-life version of Squid Game turned into a freezing nightmare with at least one contestant stretchered off and others saying they suffered what felt like frostbite.
The platform is secretly filming a game show in the UK based on the gruesome TV hit about a deadly contest.
Hopefuls competing for a record £3.7million prize spent hours in temperatures of -3C and had to remain completely motionless to win one game.
Players told The Sun: “It was like a warzone. People left in tears.”
One exhausted player was stretchered away and others had to crawl to the finish.
Netflix invited 456 hopefuls — the same as in the hit show — to compete for a record £3.7million prize.
Producers were filming the first game — Red Light, Green Light — when contestants started to feel unwell in -3C temperatures.
One told The Sun: “Even if hypothermia kicked in then people were willing to stay for as long as possible because a lot of money was on the line. Too many were determined not to move so they stood there for far too long.
“There were people arriving thinking they were going to be millionaires but they left in tears.”
They added: “It was like a warzone. People were getting carried out by medics but we couldn’t say anything. If you talk then you’re out.
“Some people couldn’t move their feet because it was so cold.
“You could hear someone yell ‘medic’ and the crew would rush on. We ended up standing there for 30 minutes between takes. Some were crawling by the end. At least one was carried out on a stretcher.”
The game show is being secretly filmed at Cardington Studios, a former RAF base near Bedford.
Some players flew in from as far away as the US and Australia.
They stayed in a London hotel then early on Monday were bussed to the set.
It includes a creepy doll like in the 2021 South Korean thriller where the prize was £29million.
Another contestant said: “When we got there it was freezing.
“Everyone was shaking. I don’t think there were any heaters.
“They said that when the doll starts singing we can move forward.
“When she stops singing, if we moved we were out.
“They gave us two thermals, two socks, a shirt, plimsolls and green tracksuits.
“We each had blood vests under clothes which burst automatically if they catch you moving to make it look like you’ve been shot.”
Hundreds were eliminated in the first round.
The survivors stayed in bunk beds at the studio, like in the TV show.
Filming is understood to be continuing into next month.
Netflix said: “Netflix, Studio Lambert and The Garden takes contributor care as one of its highest priorities and regular toilet breaks, water and food are categorically standard practice on production.
“All contestants were prepared by production several weeks ago that they would be playing a game in cold conditions and participated knowing this.
“All precautions were taken to ensure the game was played safely.”