Hello Hunter, you asked me what it was like to be on DOND. Well I guess there is a common thread and feedback that comes from all the contestants that have been there and played.

1. It is a chance of a life time. It was quoted when we were there that they have 28,000 applications to appear on the show and growing by the day!! Divide that by 22 and you can see how lucky you are if you just get picked to appear let alone win big money.

2. You meet not just 22 great friends but becase 3 shows are filmed each day, 3 of your mates play and leave each day and 3 more newbees arrive to join the clan. Thats every day!!!

3.Imagine fiming the morning show, one of your 22 mates gets to play and crashes and burns. Back to the green room quick coffee, loo break, change of shirt and you are back again,fiming tomorrows show ( remember ,you have only just finished filming a show less than 1/2 hour ago!!!! That one goes great a nice win for another pal.

4. Back to the green room again maybe an hour break for lunch and your back at it again. Final filming for the day. Thats day 3's show all filmed within the last 8 hours , get my drift? Lets say thats a crash and burn. Here's the dilema !!!

5. Back on the coach . Three pals going home. One who wants and needs to celebrate, two who are sad and feel they have let themselves down in some way, on their big day which of course they havent!!!!!

6. Back at the hotel you get together for dinner. The Mummy and Daddy, of the group put in that X factor (pardon the non intentional pun) and balance the emotions of everyone with words of real encouragement, welcome the new team members, celebrate , comiserate and as a team we all work together to enjoy the day. The night rolls on , the drinks flow, the songs are sung, then its bed and guess what !!! You are going to face that same emotional rollercoaster again tomorrow, minus three great mates ,plus three new ones.

7. Its an emotional rollercoaster where hugs really mean something, friends look after you, the tears you see on TV are for real and the friends you meet are as real as you will ever meet anywhere.

All the best Hunter , hope that answers part of your question. To all my mates who were there have a great Christmas and New Year. Love to you all.

Hugs for the guys , cuddles for the girls . GK

That was a great read GK

Top draw G.K. dont think! errmm i know!! i could not have put it any better myself. Have a great Christmas pal, see you at the 19th or in a stream soon. Wrighty x

GK,

It really is great to read about your experiences - I've applied for the show myself, and to be honest, the last thing on my mind is the money that could be won (although of course, it would be nice to get some ) - I'd just like to experience what you describe - the amazing emotional rollercoaster, the bonding between the contestants, and so on.

I can quite see why the players get so emotional and get so happy / sad for the player, and I honestly can't think of any other TV show where so many people interact in such a brilliant way as they do on DOND!

Thanks GK, that was a great insight, although it's one of those things that you can't really know until you've experienced it, which I hope I do one day!

I think that is partly the reason this show is a success. The fact that the group of you spend so much time together you get to bond and you get to know people and their ambitions and what the money means to them if they get a good sum. The fact is what we see on the TV is only a little part of what the DOND contestants go through. So when you're out in the studio watching a player have a horrible game the other players actually care because you know each other. What goes on after the cameras are off is no doubt very emotional no matter what the result is be it good or bad. So unlike other game shows all the contestants have a bond.

Great read Gk glad to see that you made a lot of friends




p.s Looking forward to your show

Awwww, that's the reason why I want to go on this show.

An interesting read. Thanks for that, GK.

Cheers GK, great read!

Thanks for the read, GK.

Thanks for the reply GK! great read

Well said GK...we've been there and done that and I know for one that it was the most amazing experiance of my entire life and I would do it all again tomorrow if I could.

One thing about it is all that behind the scenes stuff. In a way it's like a holiday camp. You're away from home for two weeks, mixing with strangers who soon become some of the best friends you've ever had and then you eventually have to leave whilst more people are coming in to enjoy the experiance.

If Endemol wanted someone to be a "professional box opener" who would be put up with all the other contestants forever but without getting in the seat, just playing on the wings every show, i would put my name down tomorrow!

Forget Lucy's 50-show run.......I wanna do a full year-long run on the wings then play one final show, in the chair, with all money going to charity!

Lets start a campaign! Get Dave Back On DOND for Charity!