‘Absolute cinema’ Four in a Bed episode hailed after plot twist leaves viewers gobsmacked

No other show serves up drama quite like Four in a Bed and, judging by the reaction from viewers, we might just have another iconic moment on our hands.

The Channel 4 competition series sees bed and breakfast owners take turns hosting each other at their properties. After staying over, and presumably pulling out all the stops to impress their guests, each guest must pay what they consider to be a fair price for their stay while also providing feedback.

The winner is the establishment deemed to offer the best value for money, with the result revealed in an episode aptly titled Payment Day.

But one reason why the show is so entertaining is because guests will often try to sabotage each other, such as paying considerably less or under marking their competitors. And other times, they’ll overpay.

A contestant named Saban has now gone viral because of a moment on the show that has been dubbed ‘absolute cinema’.

He first raised eyebrows when he shocked fellow contestants Mark and Anne by handing over a whopping £500 for his stay at their B&B, that is considerably more than £220 above the original cost. It was a move the show had never seen before and the show has been airing since 2010.

Saban on Four in a Bed is being celebrated for his unexpected move (Channel 4)

Anne was visibly emotional when Saban came to discuss their bed and breakfast, particularly after he praised the stay as ‘perfect’ and insisted the £500 had been worth every penny.

But just when it looked like Saban was playing the role of the generous guest, his true game plan came to light.

Turning his attention to Ami and Mark, Saban made it clear that he had no intention of helping them take the win.

‘There is no way’ he could allow them to win, he explained, before admitting exactly what he believed he was doing.

“It was a game play from the start, the way I see it I cheated to stop the other cheaters winning,” he continued.

And while Saban ultimately finished last in the competition, it’s clear that he’s won the hearts of viewers who love drama.

Not everyone was happy with the result (Channel 4)

Rather than being embarrassed by his position at the bottom of the leaderboard, Saban appeared completely unfazed, standing by his decision and explaining, ‘if they were going to play the game, I was going to play that too.’

The clip quickly went viral, with fans from across the platforms rallying behind Saban and praising him for bringing an unexpected twist to the TV show.

Some viewers are even hailing it this decade’s ‘what a sad little life, Jane’ moment from Come Dine with Me, another Channel 4 classic.

One viewer wrote: “Just watched this. Sensational!”

In response to Saban’s gameplay, another viewer commented: “He didn’t cheat. He’s a tactical mastermind.”

“This is absolute peak TV drama!” Wrote a third fan.

“Well played sir,” said a fourth.

It appears Saban has a lot of new fans. “Best episode of Four in a Bed ever!! Saban is a f***ing legend,” one viewer declared.

The shocking twist has even had comparisons to the world’s most iconic playwright. “Four in a Bed is so underrated, it always provides Shakespearean level drama.”

To tip, or not to tip.

While a long-time fan of the show gushed: “I love Four in A Bed, I have watched far too much of it and this probably the best payment day episode of all time.”