A former 1% Club contestant has revealed what really happens behind the scenes of ITV’s hit quiz show — including one filming trick that left her surprised.
Heidi Phillips, 49, appeared on the programme after spotting a casting advert on Facebook and completing a mock 1% Club-style quiz over Zoom.
But when she eventually made it into the studio, she discovered that some of the moments viewers see on screen aren’t filmed quite the way they appear.
The biggest surprise involved host Lee Mack.
ITV’s game show The 1% Club has become a huge hit since it first hit our screens in 2022(Image: ITV)
Lee Mack’s jokes aren’t filmed while contestants answer
The premise of The 1% Club is simple but challenging.
One hundred contestants compete through a series of logic and common-sense questions, gradually being eliminated as the difficulty increases.
The ultimate challenge is a question that only 1% of the UK population is expected to answer correctly, with contestants competing for a potential £100,000 prize.
According to Heidi, however, the show’s entertaining exchanges between Lee and the audience aren’t necessarily happening while contestants are actually answering the questions.
Instead, the host’s comedy segments are filmed separately.
“While contestants are answering questions on the tablet, Lee usually takes the time to make a joke to the audience at home,” Heidi explained while speaking to Fruity Slots.
“But all his comical parts are filmed later.
“When we’re answering the question, he remains silent. Then he has to be filmed asking the question again and we have to pretend to put our answers in.
“That was a bit weird!”
For someone appearing on television for the first time, Heidi said the process was certainly unexpected.
ITV’s quiz show, The 1% Club, which is hosted by Lee Mack, pits contestants against each other to try and win £100,000(Image: ITV)
Contestants are watched closely to make sure nobody cheats
There was another behind-the-scenes detail that Heidi said contestants were warned about before filming began.
Once they were seated in the studio, contestants were given tablets to answer the questions.
But they were also instructed to keep their eyes firmly on their own screens.
Heidi said contestants were specifically told not to look at one another’s answers.
And the rule wasn’t simply based on trust.
According to Heidi, invigilators review the footage afterward to make sure everyone has played fairly.
“You could have won the cash prize but if they go back through filming and see you glanced over at another contestant’s screen before answering, you’ll forfeit the prize,” she said.
Heidi stressed that she wasn’t aware of this actually happening to anyone, but described the warning as a serious one.
Heidi was eliminated at the 35% question
Despite making it through several rounds, Heidi’s journey eventually came to an end at the 35% question.
Even so, she came away with a positive impression of the experience — particularly of Lee Mack.
She described the comedian and presenter as “naturally funny” and said he helped create a relaxed atmosphere in the studio.
“He’s honestly really funny. Very naturally funny,” she said.
“He also has banter with the warm-up comedian and creates a nice atmosphere.”
Producers were careful about contestants’ welfare
Heidi also praised the production team for checking that contestants were comfortable with the personal stories they might be asked to discuss on camera.
She said producers went back over the anecdotes she had shared with them and made sure she was happy to talk about them on the programme if Lee wanted to bring them up.
According to Heidi, contestants were also given guidance about what to wear, including being told not to wear anything low-cut.
“They seemed really concerned about our welfare and us being happy to share things on TV,” she said.
“They really took the time to check in with us.”
For Heidi, the experience was positive enough that she said she would happily return to the show.
Her advice for future contestants? Think big
Heidi also had some unusual advice for anyone who reaches the audition stage.
Contestants are often asked what they would do with the money if they win.
Rather than giving the standard answer of paying off a mortgage or clearing debts, Heidi suggested giving producers something memorable.
“When they ask you how you’ll spend the winnings, don’t say something boring like paying off the mortgage,” she advised.
“Give a really wild question.”
Heidi certainly followed her own advice.
She joked that if she won the prize, she would use the money to open a trifle sandwich shop.
It may not have helped her reach the £100,000 jackpot, but it certainly sounds like an answer Lee Mack would have plenty of fun with.
And after seeing how the show is actually put together, Heidi said she would still jump at the opportunity to take part all over again.