A former winner of The Chase has issued a stern warning to others who make it onto television – informed by his experience on some of the UK’s most popular game shows.
Having also featured on The 1% Club and Tipping Point, Steven Sneade has become something of a veteran contestant.
His most triumphant win came when he beat chaser Paul Sinha, aka The Sinnerman, and took home an impressive £17,000.
But the 69-year-old hasn’t always had such good luck.
‘I was knocked out of The 1% Club on the first question,’ he admitted. ‘Then I just had to sit there for hours while the rest of the show was filmed.’
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Liverpool-based Steven revealed just how gruelling the interview process can be, as well as the tricky task of being ‘entertaining’ for the camera.
Steven Sneade (R, pictured with chase Paul Sinha) has issued a stern warning to others who make it onto television
‘It’s a difficult one, because you’ve got to stand out from the crowd,’ he said. ‘But if that’s not what you’re like normally, you’re not going to come across very well.’
Steven warned against pretending to be someone else, arguing that both viewers and producers can smell inauthenticity.
‘Trying to fake a big personality will not help,’ he continued. ‘If you’re a naturally quieter person, trying to be an extrovert isn’t going to work. It’s going to come across as false.’
But Steven stressed there is a balance to be found, because producers will inevitably be drawn to the most interesting contestants.
‘You’ve got to remember that it is, first and foremost, an entertainment show,’ he said.
‘For ITV, it’s to get as many viewers as they can. Try and see it from their point of view – what do they want? They want someone who is going to be a bit lively and a bit different.’
As far as talking about yourself, Steven advised would-be contestants to sell themselves and pick out the juiciest nuggets.
‘You’ve got to play for your strengths. If your hobby is that you play the piano, don’t just say you play the piano at home – try and make it something excellent. If you once played at the Royal Albert Hall, say that.’
Having also featured on The 1% Club and Tipping Point, the 69-year-old has become something of a veteran contestant (Pictured: The 1% Club host Lee Mack)
And while Steven thinks honesty is a virtue, he nonetheless suggested embellishing the truth slightly.
‘You don’t always have to stick 100 per cent to the truth. They don’t check up on it,’ he admitted.
‘It’s awful, and I don’t like lying, but there is something about television, it’s all a bit false. Exaggerate the truth. Emphasise the positives.’
The well-versed player urged applicants not to take themselves too seriously – and to prepare for the barrage of negative comments they will get.
With avid game show fans picking apart their favourite episodes on social media in real time, participants have to enter with a thick skin.
Steven said: ‘One of the things they’ve emphasised on all the shows I’ve been on is that, sadly, you will get slated on social media when the episode is shown. You’ve got to be prepared to laugh at yourself.’
Of his own experience applying for The Chase, Steven explained how he had to complete an online application, a phone interview and 20-question general knowledge test.
What followed next was an in-person group audition with other prospective candidates held at a Liverpool hotel.
Steven warned against pretending to be someone else, arguing that both viewers and producers can smell inauthenticity (Pictured: Tipping Point host Ben Shephard)
‘We played a few little games, then a mock-up of The Chase. We had to do a minute piece on camera and another 20-question test.’
The stakes were high, though, and only two out of ten hopeful applicants were shortlisted for the final cut.
And it was a long two years before Steven even got a call back, although he had nearly been dropped owing to his previous appearance on Tipping Point.
‘They don’t want people being on those two programmes so close together. Apparently they get a lot of backlash for having the same people on different shows.’
Steven has previously revealed why ITV bosses warn the players to not share any of their prize money with the eliminated players.
Steven said: ‘If you win you have to sign another contract as you’re accepting money from them.
‘They told us not to give money to the contestants who didn’t win money just because you feel sorry for them.
‘They can’t stop you, but I think they just don’t want you to have that in mind. They said it could take three months, but I had it in a week.’
