I love money but hate spending my own, so other than winning the lottery, I thought I'd fancy my chances at winning some on a quiz show. I applied back in October through one of the many websites for Tipping Point. I'd only ever seen the celebrity series where the prize fund is twice as much as the regular. But hey ho its still up to £10k that can be won.
A week later I received a phone call, number withheld, I was about to hang up, assuming I was owed PPI from one of the four major lenders, but it was a very pleasant young man from Tipping Point. I was in the process of putting a lamb shank in the oven, in the biggest casserole dish I could find, so I wasn't really concentrating when he asked me some general knowledge questions. I'm sure I got most of them wrong, other than what is the name of the new Prince but nevertheless, he told me I'd done well and I would be contacted shortly.
Another phone call within the week confirmed I'd been invited to audition up in Kensington, London. Cleverly, I asked for a parking space as I didn't fancy trying to get the tube across London. They were most accommodating and sent all the details over to me by email, as well as a LOT of paperwork to complete and contracts to sign.
The audition was fun, there were about 20 of us sitting round a very corporate looking table, everyone very chatty, proving instantly their confidence and ability to talk for sure! It was interesting to know that so many people were serial quiz show appliers, although the contracts do state a time period before appearing on TV again.
We were asked to talk about ourselves for a minute (Just one minute I thought? How will I fit it all in?) and it was interesting to hear that some people couldn't think of anything to say other than their enjoyment of the programme. I doubt we'll be seeing them on TV this series! We then had a general knowledge quiz with 25 questions. We had to write the answers on a piece of paper and had another piece to cover our answers. The few women in the room were very craftily placing their papers but the men weren't interested in that, which was a great help for one or two of the questions for me ;).
We then were sent away and brought back individually to be interviewed in front of the camera. This was the first time I got a little nervous, but soon found my voice and chatted away, remembering big smiles in between (Television, is after all very cheesy).
We were told we would be informed in a couple of weeks if we were successful. It took a LOT longer and I started to worry, then get annoyed, then almost resigned to the fact I hadn't been chosen... BUT THEN, I received a call, from a lovely young lady, inviting me to film the show! OMG, it was really happening...
So on the 11th December, on dear Mr Ben Shepherds birthday, I made my way to Wimbledon studios. I was in the third group so arrived around 11am, and was taken into the Green Room (not quite a trendy as I would have expected) and met with Lyn, Tom and our 4th contestant was running late as he'd gone to the wrong building. We were all quite pleased with that, because surely it meant that he was a bit stupid, if he can't even read the instructions correctly! ha ha. It was a great way of bonding and getting to know each other. We were called individually into hair and make up, which initially I was dreading, as I hate wearing make up, but the make up artist was amazing. She asked what I liked and did nothing more. Hopefully it came across well on TV. My hair she did amazingly, I was pleased as punch just with that bit itself!
Once our 4th contestant (A Simon Cowell lookalike) turned up, we all went off for lunch. Today's choice was 7 different types of hotdog! I went for a jacket potato. We weren't allowed to sit in the main area, because the staff were there and might be talking strategies etc. so we were put in the corner, which was fine and had a lovely lunch, getting to know one another, and my personal strategy was forming in my mind...
1. answer the first question (to build confidence)
2. Get rid of Simon Cowell in round One, he's annoying
3. If I get to round two try and answer the questions first
4. Relax and enjoy
You'll have to watch the programme to see if it worked!
At about 4pm we were called in to the studio. It was quite big, but its not an audience show, so not too big that it was daunting. The set up itself is very funny. The podiums we stand behind are on quite a narrow stage. No getting too excited and jumping back because you'd fall off the back! The crew in the studio were great, really fun, lovely people obviously enjoying their jobs.
I was lucky that Lyn was also very short, so hopefully we look more average on TV together. Lots of touching up make up and after the first couple of times, you get used to it. We spent a few minutes on the sidelines when one of the bulbs went in the drop zone and Ben Shepherd was very, very friendly, amusing, chatty and generally a charming man!
The nature of the show you'll have to watch to find out but it was great fun. Really great fun. I would recommend it to anyone who has the confidence to talk on TV.
Without giving the game away, as I said you have to watch it, I really enjoyed the extra cash, and am now looking for the next show I could go on!!
And for today's cake, this was requested and made for a dear friend of the children at school. A big 1D fan, but how funny that their logo isn't symmetrical! The OCD in me is really coming out as i'm getting older.
This was 100% wheat and dairy free, using alternatives thanks to an amazing website - www.icedgembakes.co.uk and three days on its still moist and delicious! Happy 11th Birthday Hayley xx
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