Would you 'Wipeout' or go for a 'Big Break'?
Off the wall ways that a poor student tried to earn some extra money, in this case by (willingly) becoming a game show contestant!
This isn’t the post I intended to write today. I know, I know, you’ve heard that before. I planned to finish one about the fear and anxiety, that I carried around for a long time, after almost dying from an infection that nobody could explain. But why write about something so serious (read that as darn miserable) when I can have much more fun talking about TV game shows! It seemed so much more appropriate for a bit of summer sunshine fun.
And don’t forget that you can listen to this post if you prefer. I’ve recorded my own voiceover so if you want then hit ‘play’ and enjoy my dulcet (not) tones!
Does anyone else remember these bright yellow golf umbrellas and the associated TV game show - Wipeout - that ran in the 90’s on BBC1 in the UK? I can still hear the theme tune echoing in my head. And the sound each time someone gave a correct answer!
Just to be clear I’m not talking about the other more recent Wipeout TV shows that saw participants trying to get across insane obstacle courses built over water. And of course, falling into the water in a variety of hilarious ways. Though… I’d love to have a go!
Instead this was a classic British general knowledge game show that landed on the BBC in 1994, with the magician Paul Daniels as host. He presented 72 shows over four series before handing on to Bob Monkhouse - that man was never my cup of tea. And apparently it was based on a US show of the same name.
Each show featured three willing victims contestants who were presented in each round with a question, which had multiple correct answers. For example, types of red wine or TV theme tunes written by a certain composer or actors who had played Dr Who. They were then shown a grid of 16 answers (12 in later rounds) on a board and had to pick the right answers from the wrong ones. The more they got right, the more money they accumulated.
BUT pick a wrong answer - the dreaded ‘wipeout’ answers - and their total was reduced to zero and they had to start again from scratch. After each round the lowest scoring contestant was sent home until you were down to one person to play for the BIG prize. In this case a holiday.
What people don’t realize is that you have to work hard to be selected as a contestant for one of these things. You had to write in to apply and then fill out an application form with entertaining stories. If selected, you then had to go to a group audition and show that you’re sufficiently funny, smiley enough, and suitably un-inhibited to say stupid things on prime time national television. Watch the show (yes, I am treating you to a link below to do just that if you must) and you’ll see what I mean!
Every contestant was treated to an umbrella to take home to remind them of their TV adventure. Mine is celebrating it’s 30th birthday this year as I was one of those contestants, way back in 1996.
I’ll be honest and say that it’s only survived this long as I gave it to my Dad to keep in his car. I’m sure if I’d kept it myself - with my passion for a good clear out - I’d have chucked it long ago. Thanks Dad for hanging on to it!
Paul Daniels was tiny and an absolute star. He was an utter professional. Kind, funny, welcoming, and incredibly polite to us TV virgins. But it wasn’t just us. Each contestant could bring a guest and in my case I took Dad - I don’t remember exactly why, but I think it was easier for him to be free that day than Mum. And Paul Daniels couldn’t have been more lovely, taking the time to chat away to him.
A few months ago I looked for Wipeout on YouTube to show someone what the show entailed and to my absolute horror the very first show that came up was my own episode! How did that happen? If you feel like it then feel free to watch - I’m sat here with my toes curling at the very thought!
In case you don’t recognize me without all the grey I’m the brunette on the left - I’d forgotten just how dark my hair was. I’m also the one with the incredibly happy (not) expression in the freeze-frame! And check out that brown suit - I made it from fabric probably bought in Watford market. I was looking much happier by the end of the show. Who knew that I was such a closet Dr Who fan?! I actually wasn’t…
***SPOILER ALERT***
I won! Yes, I bloody won. Nobody was more shocked than me. How I managed it I’m still not sure - but apparently the universe was on my side that day.
Now, watch the show and you’ll think that I won a trip to Canada. Well I did, kinda. In actual fact I decided to take the cash alternative - around £3500 I think, which was a small fortune for a poor student back in 1996. But I still wanted the holiday.
So I booked my own trip and the following summer we (me and the ex-husband from my last post) flew from London to Vancouver, taking an amazing road trip in a rented car over the Rocky Mountains, to finally fly home from Calgary a bit more than two weeks later.
I have only a photo or two left from that trip - the result of divorce, moving countries, and leaving my old photo albums to absorb too much moisture in Mum and Dads garage. But those views, and those mountains, are all still in my head and I’ll return (again) one day.
But it didn’t end there. I’d won once so I was on a mission to see if my luck would hold. What other game show could I go on?
I stuck with BBC prime time shows and auditioned (successfully) for ‘Big Break’, hosted by Jim Davidson (the less said the better) and the lovely (sadly recently departed) snooker player John Virgo. Luckily I didn’t have to demonstrate any snooker playing skills in the process which would have definitely led to my swift demise as a potential contestant.
I can’t remember whether it was for this show or for Wipeout, but on one occasion I’d arrived at BBC Television Centre and was waiting in reception to be collected by the team from the show. My ears pricked up when I heard a familiar voice chatting beside me. Only when I looked to my right did I realize it was the one and only Steve Coogan, otherwise better know as Alan Partridge at that point in time.
Poor Dad was dragged along again as my guest again, as evidenced by the picture below of his ticket. Why this was, until recently, still living in a draw in my parents lounge I have no idea. I guess once again it’s ‘thank you Dad’ (and Mum) for keeping it all these years.
In some ways it was a similar format to Wipeout. Three contestants, each paired with a professional snooker player, battled their way through multiple rounds of general knowledge questions and snooker playing challenges - for the snooker players not us lesser mortals. In the end the last contestant standing got to play for the ‘big’ prize.
How they got some of the best snooker players in the world to participate I have no idea. Nor do I remember who I was actually paired with…
I was definitely invisible that day. I’ve already mentioned that the show was hosted by Jim Davidson whose reputation in the UK as a ‘comedian’ definitely precedes him. And on my show was a blonde, very pretty, curvy, female contestant in her mid-twenties. I’ll say no more in case I get sued for liable. But I’ll just add that the BBC production staff were definitely kept on their toes, and had to have their running shoes on, that particular day!
(By coincidence - doing research for this post - I found out that in May this year it was announced that Big Break will be revived as a daytime game show on BBC Two, with Paddy McGuinness and former snooker player Stephen Hendry as hosts. And before you ask, no - I won’t be applying!)
My luck didn’t stick and I didn’t do so well this time. Actually I did dismally and was disappointed to go out in the first round (I think) and walked away with a very rubbish ‘Palm Pilot’ knock-off type device. So much for winning another holiday!
But did I have fun? Most definitely! Did I get to visit a country that I fell in love with? Oh yes, Canada will always be in my heart. Have I considered applying to be a contestant again? Nope. My days of TV fame are over. And I’m quite happy about that.
Have you ever been on a TV game show?? Or done something equally ‘out there’ to earn some extra cash?
Thank you for reading or listening along. If you liked this post then I’d love it if you would click on the heart and add a comment about what resonated for you – it means a lot to me to hear from each and every one of you.
In case you missed it, I published my book about my flesh-eating bacteria battle - Hold My Hand: A Journey Back to Life - for FREE here on Substack last year. If you’d like to read it then you can find every chapter by clicking HERE and you’ll go directly to the webpage dedicated to the book. Or you can just click on the link to the first chapter below.
