April 4, 2021

Who Wants to Make a Shedload of Money? How to Win Big as a TV Show Contestant!

Nick Making Money 10 Comments

Today I thought I would share something a bit different with you – a sideline opportunity you may not have considered before.

There is a huge demand for people to appear in TV shows. In recent years “reality television” featuring ordinary people in a range of scenarios, from dating to surviving in inhospitable places, has become extremely popular.

Talent shows are also massive. If you can sing, dance, tell jokes, do magic tricks, perform acrobatics, or have some other talent people might like to watch, there is almost certainly a show you can apply for.

Other shows offer the opportunity for successful – and talented – contestants to become celebrities in the field concerned. For example, many of the winners and runners-up in cookery shows such as Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off have gone on to obtain publishing contracts, and in some cases started their own restaurants. One example is the 2005 Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers, who now runs a chain of Mexican restaurants called Wahaca and has also presented several TV cooking series.

Another very popular option is quiz or game shows – from Pointless to Bargain Hunt. A steady stream of contestants is needed for these shows, which is many cases are broadcast daily. And the best news is that these shows are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, and you don’t need any special skill or talent to take part.

• Although the coronavirus pandemic (and government response to it) put a temporary brake on some shows, many found ways to get round restrictions, e.g. by redesigning their sets to allow for social distancing. And right now, with restrictions being eased across the UK as virus cases plummet, large numbers of shows are looking for contestants again 🙂

Some shows offer the possibility of winning life-changing sums (Who Wants to be a Millionaire is the classic example). In other cases the rewards are more modest – but even the chance of winning two or three thousand pounds on a show such as The Chase is not to be sniffed at. And under UK law, cash and prizes won on TV shows are entirely tax-free.

Even aside from the chance of fame or fortune, being in a TV show can be an exciting and eye-opening experience. You will see what goes on behind the scenes at your favourite shows, and watch them with fresh appreciation in future. And, of course, you will have an experience to remember and tell friends about for years to come.

Researching and Applying

You can find out what shows are currently recruiting by contacting the production companies directly. See who makes a show that you would like to appear on and look them up online.

There are also websites that publish contestant calls. BeOnScreen is a good place to start. Here is one opportunity that was being advertised there at the time of writing:

 

Depending on when you read this, the opportunity above may have gone, but others will certainly have taken its place. Note that many shows are recorded in or around London, so if you live near the capital you will have a certain advantage. In the interests of diversity, however, many also film in other parts of the UK, so definitely don’t be put off if you live elsewhere.

• As well as calls for contestants, BeOnScreen also advertises free tickets for TV shows, and occasionally calls for extras. If all or any of these things interest you, it’s well worth signing up on the website to receive email updates when new opportunities are posted.

There’s much to be said for applying for new shows such as those listed on BeOnScreen, as the competition for places isn’t as intense as established shows. But there are plenty of the latter that need a steady supply of contestants too, of course.

One top tip is to go for daytime shows, which typically have smaller audiences than prime-time shows, again resulting in less competition from other would-be contestants. But do ensure that the prizes are worth your while before sending in an application.

Another useful resource is UKGameShows. Among other things, this has a page listing current (and new) shows requiring contestants. You will also find links here to the web pages for applying to  popular shows such as MasterChef, Bargain Hunt, Countdown, Pointless, and more.

Finally, my blogging colleague Di Coke (also known as SuperLucky Di) has a page dedicated to current contestant calls for UK game shows. This is well worth bookmarking and returning regularly to.

Before applying to be on any show, I recommend finding out as much as you can about it. If a particular physical or problem-solving skill is required, try to practise this as much as possible. And if it requires specialist knowledge, bury your head in some relevant books, and then get a friend or partner to test your knowledge.

It’s also a good idea to practise your public-speaking skills, especially if this is something that doesn’t come naturally to you. If possible, get a friend to assume the role of the show’s host and ask you some likely questions. This will help prepare you for the show itself, and will also assist you with the auditioning process (see below).

Auditioning for a Show

To be accepted as a contestant, you will normally need to go through some sort of audition. Big TV talent shows such as Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor typically hold open auditions in major cities across the country.

To get on a quiz or reality show you will probably have to perform an initial test/audition as well, though it will be lower key. These auditions are generally held by specialist companies who recruit contestants for the shows. They will assess such things as your personality and appearance, your general knowledge, and how well you communicate. They may also check your ability to cope in stressful circumstances.

One time I was auditioning for a quiz show, I was completing a pen-and-paper test in the company of half a dozen other applicants. Suddenly an alarm went off. We all looked at one another, unsure what was going on. The representative then returned to the room and assured us there was nothing to worry about. She revealed later that this was simply a standard test they used to ensure that potential contestants didn’t crumble under pressure!

As mentioned above, if you’re auditioning for a quiz show you may be given a series of questions to answer, either verbally or in writing, to test your general knowledge. If you find them all easy, it may nevertheless be a good strategy to deliberately get one or two wrong. As our American friends say, nobody likes a smartass! And the companies like to recruit contestants with all levels of knowledge and skill, so the watching audience can relate to them as ‘ordinary people’.

One other top tip for aspiring quiz show contestants is to try to stand out from everyone else. The researchers are looking for people who will come across on TV as outgoing and interesting, rather than dull and anonymous.

This needs to be judged carefully, of course. You don’t want to make yourself appear too weird, or the researchers may fear you will be a loose cannon. If (like me) you’re naturally somewhat introverted, though, it will help a lot if you can make an effort to present yourself as a bit more outgoing. If you can manage ‘bubbly’, so much the better!

A distinctive hairstyle or item of clothing may give you an extra edge as well.

At another audition, one of my fellow applicants was wearing a clerical dog collar. It turned out he was a university chaplain. You could tell immediately that the researchers loved him, and I saw him subsequently on the TV show in question and many others. He even turned up with a team of other university chaplains on a quiz show called Busman’s Holiday!

On the Day

If you’re selected for a show, try to arrive in good time at the studio and introduce yourself to the researchers. They are likely to ask a few questions about your family, job, hobbies, and so on. This is to give the host or hostess something to talk about.

Once the show starts, try not to be distracted by the cameras and audience. As far as possible, relax and concentrate on the task in hand. Do your best to succeed, but remember that not everyone can win every time. Smile and be courteous to the host and (especially) the other contestants. This will ensure the audience like you and get behind you, which can help a lot when you’re under pressure.

Good luck, and I hope big prizes are soon coming your way!

• Have you been on a TV show yourself and won anything (or not)? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Please post your comments below as usual.

This is a fully updated version of my original article on this subject published in January 2017.

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