 | ||||
'They gave us a real fright.' Judith Keppel on Eggheads broadcast on BBC2 14th September 2007
July 2007 six local lads, five from Calverton one from Hucknall, were invited to audition for the TV quiz Eggheads - They were Dave Leek, Steve Malcolm, Pete Reeve, Dave Riley, John Williams and Rob Williams.
They had to travel to BBC Birmingham for the ordeal err trial. Twelve yard productions wanted all six members of the group to appear, but sadly Rob Williams couldn't make it as he was holidaying in Great Yarmouth at the time. The remaining crew went in absolutely atrocious driving weather.
Arrived a bit early in Birmingham, err three hours early to be exact, what to do? Dave Riley had a great idea 'Lets find the nearest pub' he said. Two and a half hours later we made our way to the studios.
When we got there, complete with breath fresheners, we found that the audition consisted of our team up against three other sides from all over the UK. The main difference was that they all had six members and we only had five - this must have been a huge negative mark for us. Name badges were handed out and an empty seat was labelled Rob!!
The first round started - this consisted of ten questions, on all kinds of topics, to be filled in as quick as possible within two minutes. These were handed in but no scores were given - although most of us thought it was a "Cakewalk"
Then came the main contests - First up was History - All four teams had to select someone to play - Pete was selected for us. He duly lost on the deciding 'Sudden Death' round. Next up was Arts & Books - John was sent up to play he actually won his deciding 'Sudden Death' round - One point to us!! Next round was Sport - Steve went up and he also won on the deciding 'Sudden Death' round - Two points to us!! Then came Entertainment - up went Dave Leek to play - he also lost on the deciding 'Sudden Death' round. Next up the greatest ever audition bar none. Dave Riley went up to take Science and Nature, One of the questions was so funny - 'In 1945, What was invented by Percy Lebaron Spencer?' Options were:A) Condensed milk B) Cats eyes or C) Microwave oven - Dave proceeded to do an impression of Major Charles Ingram but there was no coughing!! Eventually he plumped for the Microwave and was vindicated for his long-winded "Speech" by getting the answer correct. Unfortunately Dave also lost on the deciding 'Sudden Death' round. At this stage the team was losing 3-2. The last game was next, but we have no player! The wonderful researchers allowed us to play a member again, so the team nominated John. The subject was General Knowledge - John won in a "hack canter" and so the final audition score was 3-3 with the two other teams scoring nothing a piece!
We then had to do a screen test, all five members in front of the camera, one at a time, answering questions in sequence. The questions were 1. Which Egghead do you like best and why? and 2. Who, past or present, would be your ideal dinner date companion and why?
Dave Leek answers 1. Humpty Dumpty - he cracks me up and 2. Charlton Heston because when I was a young boy I loved his pictures the escapism and all that, brilliant.
Dave Riley 1. Daphne - I love her! and 2. Daphne - I've already told you I love her!
Steve Malcolm 1. CJ - He is so modest and 2. Isambard Kingdom Brunel - Steve then rattled on for 5 minutes!!
John Williams 1. Chris - I could wile away the hours with him talking about trains, pure Heaven and
2. Marilyn Monroe - I'd like to err.................................................ask her what really happened that night.
Pete Reeve 1. Kevin - just so clever and 2. Beyonce because you never know what might develop at the end of the night!!
That was it we were thanked for coming and told that if we hadn't heard anything for two weeks to forget it.
To which Dave Leek turned to Dave Riley and said, 'YOU TOLD US WE'D GET STEAK AND CHIPS!!'
Nearly three weeks later we all had letters saying CONGRATULATIONS we'd been shortlisted to appear on the SHOW. (Apparently the mail was delayed due to the Royal Mail strikers!!) We got these letters on a Monday and the following Thursday we got a phone call asking us if we could come down to London to record a show the next Monday - Talk about short notice!!
We accepted immediately, so long as we could play the final game of the day, as four of us were working that day!! We are told - in the letter - to take with us three different types of shirt. But, no polka-dots, stripes, blue, black, white, creamy and definitely no logos - bang goes most of our wardrobes. Although Dave Leek has a wonderful collection of Hawaiian/Thomas Magnum shirts - so we thought we'd take a load of those as well as some coloured ones.
6th August 2007
Four postmen go to work at 5 o'clock in the morning. They all do their rounds and then they set off for the BBC studios London with their two other team members. Arriving at 1 o'clock, what to do? Dave Riley has an idea 'Lets go find a pub.'
Here, the planning and strategy is worked out, meticulously, over a pint or two. Straight away everyone agreed that John would not play, unless Politics was a subject, because as they put it 'he could put up a good show by himself!'
We decided to go straight for the jugular, Steve had been earmarked to play three times World Quiz Champion Kevin Ashman on Sport and Dave Leek was to be pitted against multiple Fifteen to One winner Daphne Fowler on Entertainment.
Pete would take Connagh-Joseph de Mooi (CJ) on either Science or History and Rob would just have to take whatever subject was remaining against International Mastermind champion Chris Hughes.
We decided then to make our way to the BBC studios as we had to be there by 4pm - we arrived a bit early....err 3pm!! Lounging around at reception we checked ourselves in at the desk - One of the research team came down and took us through to the Green Room for a coffee and a few snacks. We checked the clock only another 45 minutes to go!
The clock ticked on, 10 minutes to the off, Steve said that all the knowledge he had in his head had suddenly vanished!! Researchers/Production Assistants Laura and Jason arrive and take us to the briefing room. All the shirts are laid out for the Fashion gurus to peruse over and pick what would look best on us. John and Rob get "normal" shirts but Steve and Pete are both told to wear one of Dave Leeks flower-power shirts! Dave himself gets to wear his own snazzy pink number.
After the briefing of what is expected on the show, we are taken to the make-up room. Then we are taken to the dressing room where all of our individual shirts are hung up - freshly ironed - waiting for each person.
Researcher/Production Assistant Laura comes in and says we all look beautiful..............mmmmmmmmmmm yeah right? 6.20pm time to go on set. The first thing you notice is how dark it is in the studio - 'watch out for cables we are told' - We all take our places on set on our panel. Dave Riley, our supersub if anyone was suddenly ill, decides to try out Dermots seat for himself - swinging away as if he owned the chair!
First things first we all had to record our intros before the compere even arrives - Dave Leek went first and promptly made a pigs ear of it many times - this may appear on Aunties Bloomers in the future! All recorded ready to roll.
Eggheads walk in the studio, look over at us and suddenly Daphne is waving to Rob, 'cooee hello' she says - Rob looks mystified. CJ says 'not bad lads £1000 each if you win' Chris says 'Don't forget its only a game' errmmm.
They all come over to meet us Daphne still thinks she knows Rob from another show - Rob says to her that he appeared on one show for about seven years - She asked 'what was that?' to which Rob said (genuine fact) ''I was pushing a trolley around on Supermarket Sweep on the opening credits!' Kevin Ashman then butted in to say 'I hope you got repeat fees.'
Dave Leek then said that they probably recognized us from a different show as we had appeared on one programme many many times. Judith Keppel said 'Really? and what was that?' Scouse Dave seized his chance brilliantly 'Crimewatch!' he chortled. The joke just went straight over Judiths head she didn't bat an eyelid.
All of a sudden out of the darkness a shady figure appeared. 'Hi Pete' the fellow said shaking Pete's hand. 'Who are you!' Pete stated ........ 'err I'm Dermot the quiz compere!' He duly shook all of our hands and wished us good luck then the match was about to commence.
Eggheads©12 Yard Productions - Any problems over copyright please email the webmaster
| ||||
Chris Hughes, Daphne Fowler, Connagh-Joseph de Mooi, Kevin Ashman, Judith Keppel
Press HERE to continue
