15 minutes of fame – how to boost your chances of getting on and winning TV game shows

Jordon Cox

By MoneySavingExpert's Coupon Kid, Jordon Cox

We all can shout out the answers on the couch at home, but being in the studio doing it for real is very different. Take it from me – I’ve been on a TV game show recently as well as auditioned for others, and it’s not easy.

What is easier than you’d think though, is getting ON a TV game show or quiz show in the first place, if you ‘Play Your Cards Right’ and are a bit of an ‘Egghead’ when it comes to mastering your application. If you’re a ‘Telly Addict’, then being on one of your favourite shows is probably a goal in itself, quite apart from the prizes at stake. So here are a few tips to make that goal a reality.

Update Thu 7 Nov 2024: It’s been almost a decade since Jordon wrote this blog. The MSE team has updated it with new game shows that you can apply for below. Happy auditioning!

Try for lesser-known shows

Fancy your chances on The Chase, The Crystal Maze or Catchphrase? Sadly, so do a lot of people. While it’s not impossible to get on, you’ve a better chance with lesser-known shows (check out my list of shows to go for below). Often you see a new game show looking for contestants. If people haven’t seen it before, there may not be many applications, even though there can be lots of prizes. So it’s worth taking a chance.

It’s a numbers game too. If a show’s looking for lots of contestants, such as The 1% Club, you have a better chance. Even if you don’t end up playing for prizes, it’s a chance to dip your toe in the game show waters.

Prepare your answers

To apply for most game shows you need to fill out an application form which can take some time. Yet many application forms ask the same questions, so it’s worth keeping your answers written down somewhere so you can do a simple copy and paste. Common questions include ‘what are your hobbies’, ‘what do you do for a living’ and ‘what would you do if you won any money’.

Really sell yourself

Popular shows get thousands of application forms, so you need to make yours stand out. So don’t just give one-word answers to the questions – the more personality you can show through your writing, even when it comes to something simple such as your hobbies, the better.

Similarly, if there is an option to add a video of yourself, do it – it’s the easiest way to stand out. Producers want the best and most interesting people to make the show worth watching. If you look through your application or video and YOU wouldn’t pick yourself, then things need spicing up.

When it comes to auditions, enthusiasm’s key

After you’ve slogged through the application form, the next step – if you’re lucky enough to be picked – is the phone interview or face-to-face audition. The words ‘interview’ and ‘audition’ might scare you but there is nothing to worry about.

Be as bubbly and upbeat as you can and use the potential to win cash and prizes as your driving force to show them how much you want it. If you are memorable for any reason, you will be in with a good chance of getting on the show.

Shows to apply for

We've updated this list for 2024.

Only Connect: Teams of three players, two players OR single applicants are encouraged to apply to solve fiendish conundrums and puzzles. Filmed in Cardiff.

Wheel of Fortune: Solve word puzzles and seize the chance to spin the wheel and win big money prizes. Filmed in Salford.

Pointless: Use your obscure knowledge for an opportunity to win the jackpot and a Pointless trophy. Filmed in Hertfordshire.

Bargain Hunt: Along with your teammate, buy an item at an antique fair and sell it on at auction. Filmed nationwide.

Mastermind: Sit in the famous black chair and answer some of the toughest questions on TV for your chance to the win the Mastermind trophy. Filmed in Belfast.

Countdown: Conquer 15 rounds of numbers and letters to be crowned Countdown Champion. Take home a Countdown goodie bag. Filmed in Salford.

Come Dine With Me: Amateur chefs are needed for the chance to take home £1,000. Both couples and lone contestants welcome to apply. Filmed nationwide.

The Chase: Can you outrun a chaser and take home £1,000s? Test your wits against The Beast, The Governess, The Dark Destroyer, The Sinnerman or The Vixen. Filmed in London.

The deadlines have recently passed to apply for these shows, but keep an eye out for the next callout:

The Crystal Maze: Take on the crystal dome and collect as many golden tokens as possible to win prizes – and of course, your very own crystal.

Come Dine With Me: Amateur chefs battle the chance to take home £1,000 – both couples and lone contestants. Filmed nationwide.

Tipping Point: (No link currently.) Have you got what it takes to beat the oversized coin machine? Contestants compete to win up to £10,000. Filmed in London.

The 1% Club: As one of 100 players, see if you can get as far as the '1% question' and win up to £100,000. Filmed in Salford.

Bullseye: Teams of two, comprised of a 'knower' and a 'thrower', aim to win cash prizes.

Jeopardy!: Quick-thinking quiz lovers compete for cash.

TV gameshow inspiration

If you need more motivation than just cash and prizes, I can tell you from personal experience, it’s a lot of fun. The first TV show I ever applied for (not long after I turned 18), I got on and won £1,000 cash for a day’s work. It was on an ITV show called Pick Me hosted by Stephen Mulhern, which was broadcast in November 2015.

It was a new series that was looking for hundreds of contestants, who were all in an audience dressed up in funny clothes trying to get picked to play for prizes. We filmed three episodes on the day and I was picked at the start of the second episode. It took me the whole show (down to the final round) to scoop the £1,000 prize – phew!

I also applied for a show called Cash Trapped, and I made it all the way through to the final stage but didn’t get picked to appear on the show. I went to the offices and studios to play a pretend game of Cash Trapped with buzzers included, though – so that was a lot of fun!

Sending off application forms and having telephone interviews isn't that scary – because you are just talking about yourself. If you get picked to appear the experience is amazing. You should be looked after by the crew with food and drinks – and if you live far away from the venue, you may get your hotel and travel paid for. Basically, it’s a fun day out to possibly win some great prizes – and even make a few friends along the way.

If you want more inspiration, I asked on the MSE Forum to hear from MoneySavers who’ve appeared on a TV game show. And it turns out forumite Chrisx2 is a game show veteran:

“I developed the game show bug back in 2003, kicking off with The Weakest Link. I got picked on mercilessly by Anne, but hey-ho… it’s her job! During the following years I appeared on In it to Win It, Who wants to be a Millionaire, Saturday Night Takeaway and PokerFace to name the most popular ones.

“I love everything about it, getting picked up from home, the make-up, VIP treatment and best of all the prizes. My wins are totalling £50,000 plus the odd holiday. Most memorable was a trip to Las Vegas thanks to Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway! My advice… don’t sit and ponder. DO IT!”

And remember, have fun…

If you get picked as a contestant, the most important part of the whole experience is to have fun. You will hopefully have an amazing time with a friendly crew and meet a celebrity host (cheeky selfie moment…) – if you win any prizes, that’s just the cherry on top. Game shows and quiz shows with massive cash prizes have the potential to change your life but try not to get too focused on that. Stay calm and do your best.

And finally, if being in front of the camera isn’t your thing, be sure to check out how to get free audience tickets for TV shows.

Have you ever appeared on a TV game show or auditioned for one? Have you ever won big? I’d love to hear your stories via X (Twitter).