I'm wondering here, probably because it's so late and I'm dozing off, whether a few of the players are actually crew members, with no intention that they might play, just there as placeholders (for the purposes of a 20-show pilot run only, of course).

Interesting theory… doubt Brian’s a crew member for example as you’d think he’d be above retirement age, but it’s plausible for one or two who joined more recently. Are there any that Stephen never really talked to or introduced? It must have been strange for those joining for a show or two knowing they had no chance of playing in any case. Maybe they could have used the old setup for temporary illness absences where their place was left empty and a neighbour opened their box?

A lot of the success of the UK DOND format is the continuity and anticipation of it, and the expectation that 99% of those in the wings will eventually get to play. If we lose that due to the setup/schedule it will be a shame. It will be very interesting to see how many of the current contestants (or even those who have left without playing) return for the start of the next series, assuming there is one!