Who wants to be a millionaire?

[Uncle Albert]

I was asked to be a phone a friend for a chap at a client co years ago. He failed the selection process though so I never got as far as finding out what was involved.

[OwlHoot]

Firstly, it's against the rules, and as the case of the coughing showed they're quite strict if they suspect anything of that kind. Secondly, there really isn't much time: of the thirty seconds, about ten are spent repeating the question and making sure it's been clearly understood. It might be possible to Google it in the remaining time, but it wouldn't be easy. (Also, you'd probably give yourself away, as it isn't actually easy to fake thinking out loud about it while doing something else.)

But primarily they rely on people having a sense of honour and abiding by the rules, or at least they did when I was nervously awaiting the call.

I thought the friends were roped into going to a studio somewhere, as the phone always seems to ring the same number of times before they answer and the sound level on the line seems pretty uniform for a genuine phone call.

[Sysman]

I don't think I could survive on Millionaire without punching Chris Tarrant, to be honest.

[NickFitz]

I thought the friends were roped into going to a studio somewhere, as the phone always seems to ring the same number of times before they answer and the sound level on the line seems pretty uniform for a genuine phone call.

No; the contestant calls you to remind you of the rules late afternoon. Then somebody rings to tell you when recording is starting, and then again to tell you they're going in the hot seat. (There's about a twenty minute gap between the close shot of Chris Tarrant saying "Let's play..." with his arm round their shoulder and the long shot of them walking to the chairs to start, during which they attach the microphone and touch up the makeup.) After that, you wait.

Recording of a one hour show takes up to three hours, and you get no further warning: when the phone rings it's Chris Tarrant on the other end, just as you see on the show. They probably edit the number of rings if necessary, but then again, the friend at home is going to be hovering over the phone on tenterhooks anyway.

I shut myself in my bedroom, having given strict orders to my housemates not to make any noise, and laid on my bed watching TV with the sound off while I waited. Couldn't remember any of what I'd watched afterwards

[DimPrawn]

Wait a year or two, and with all the global money printing we'll all be millionaires.

[mudskipper]

Getting a bit ahead of myself here, but are the winnings taxable? Doesn't seem clear cut.

Audition is on Friday - it says one should 'dress to impress'. Think I might need a lunchtime shopping trip

[eek]

Getting a bit ahead of myself here, but are the winnings taxable? Doesn't seem clear cut.

Audition is on Friday - it says one should 'dress to impress'. Think I might need a lunchtime shopping trip

I believe the UK is one of the few countries were winnings are not taxable.

[Zippy]

WeekS. All that lovely dosh will be yours.

Good luck!

[Bunk]

No; the contestant calls you to remind you of the rules late afternoon. Then somebody rings to tell you when recording is starting, and then again to tell you they're going in the hot seat. (There's about a twenty minute gap between the close shot of Chris Tarrant saying "Let's play..." with his arm round their shoulder and the long shot of them walking to the chairs to start, during which they attach the microphone and touch up the makeup.) After that, you wait.

Recording of a one hour show takes up to three hours, and you get no further warning: when the phone rings it's Chris Tarrant on the other end, just as you see on the show. They probably edit the number of rings if necessary, but then again, the friend at home is going to be hovering over the phone on tenterhooks anyway.

I shut myself in my bedroom, having given strict orders to my housemates not to make any noise, and laid on my bed watching TV with the sound off while I waited. Couldn't remember any of what I'd watched afterwards

Tulip! That sounds more stressful than being a contestant

[fullyautomatix]

Getting a bit ahead of myself here, but are the winnings taxable? Doesn't seem clear cut.

Audition is on Friday - it says one should 'dress to impress'. Think I might need a lunchtime shopping trip

Bloody hell !!! Are we finally going to have a CUK millionaire ? None more deserving than Muddy.

Just make sure the dress shows a bit of cleavage and some legs