I was wondering if any contestants who post here could fill in on some details about the particular lengths of time they were there - I'm aware that they film 3 shows a day, but I'm interested to hear how long they are there for before they join the wings and also after they've played their games?

I'm just interested becuase I like to have some idea on who would have met who for instance?

The other thing was, when they have a break in recording for a week, so contestants have to go home and come back, or do they stay around in the hotel for a week?
Cheers!

contestants usually watch one show in the green room on the tv as it is being recorded at that precise time,they then usually sit in the audience for one show and then they join the wings,they are guaranteed to do ten shows and can go in the chair anytime after that.dond record three shows a day so you get to meet three new people each day.After you have been in the chair you are allowed to watch one show in the green room and then you have to pack your clothes up that you bought to wear for the shows and say good bye to everyone.

That blows the theory that we may get someone playing on their first show then! I suppose a player can ask to do fewer if they need to - e.g. Garvan who did 9. How many players have done 10 shows? The most recent one I can think of is Stephen, who had to play early due to the Battle of the Sexes.

Thanks Pat!

So basically you only get there a few shows before you start? I could have sworn I've seen future contestants appear 3 or 4 shows before they started (one such example was Paul H in Stella's game).

And you leave more or less the day after your game gets recorded?

And you'll only meet say the person who replaced you after you play apart from the ones on the wings when you start and finish?

Unlike Pat our group were not guaranteed to do a minimum of 10 shows.As filming finished on Friday evening we could go home then and there or the following morning or stay over in the hotel but had to meet in the bar on the Sunday evening.If it was a dark week we returned home and returned the following Sunday afternoon/evening.Best experience of my life.

You arrive in groups of six. So on the Sunday everyone will arrive at the hotel plus six newbies and then on Tuesday afternoon another six arrive and then two on the Thursday night. So it is possible to be sat around for five shows if you are the last of your group of six to go on the show. I was lucky and was the first of my group so I didnt have to wait around.

You can stay the night that your game has been on then you have to check out of the hotel, unless your cheeky like me and share rooms with other contestants (female of course) and stay an extra two nights !!! Ooops xxxx

Very cheeky Sarah but i like it!

Thanks Sarah!

I would have thought 3 newbies would arrive on Thursday night for the 3 Friday games unless I've missed something obvious?

Yeh, sorry there are 3 having a blonde moment !!!

This is great in trying to work out who would have met who, who were nearly on the wings at the same time (such as, say, Cocky Bill and 1p Sally for a random choice!)

It is mad how many people you meet. You get to make friend with around 40 different people as they come and go.

Whilst we are having all these questions, i have read that it is a surprise when the persons name is called, but unless they pause a bit and move the contestants partner or relative, doesn't the contestant see them sitting there all microphoned up in the same spot they normally put the guest etc.

I am sure one episode i saw the guest family member in the spot as Noel walked in, well then it would have been obvious who was being chosen.

Can anyone shed any light? Ta

I think they take a 15 minute break after the player is selected to mic everyone up and move them to their correct seats.

In my case i think the delay was about 30 minutes as i was so surprised i nearly passed out.Two of the production staff had me walking up and down outside in the pouring rain till i could continue.Noel was worried and came out looking for me.Still do not know how i got through it.

Ta H for clearing that up

if there is a spare seat in the audience they let you sit in maybe two shows but a lot of contestants take someone for quite a number of days so they have to sit the audience, new contestants are only allowed to see one show from the green room they are quite strict on thisYou leave the day your show is recorded unless you do the last show of the day as the coach leaves as soon as you have changed your clothes so you go back to pack your clothes the next day and watch one show on the tv.the contestant that replaces your spot you only meet for a short time.

I have always wondered what happens to the gifts that the bankers gets from the players, do they keep them all in storage or give them back to the players.

I dont know what they do with them but they dont give them back to the players. The crew probably pinch them xxxx

My friend's mum went to sit in the audience last friday. She won't say anything though.