A former Tipping Point winner has lifted the lid on what viewers never get to see, revealing everything from the audition process and strict filming rules to meeting Ben Shephard and discovering how quickly her prize money arrived.
Ellie Millar, a social media influencer with 2.9 million followers on TikTok, appeared on ITV’s Tipping Point in October 2022 after filming her episode several months earlier in May.
Looking back on the experience, Ellie explained how she first applied, what happened before she was selected, and what contestants can expect on the day of filming.
Ellie Millar, a social media influencer with 2.9 million followers on TikTok shared how she appeared on Tipping Point
Ellie never expected to get the call
Ellie said she decided to apply for Tipping Point after watching the programme with her now-husband, Sam.
A few weeks after submitting her application, she was surprised to find a missed call and voicemail while she was working at Costa Coffee. Her manager encouraged her to return the call while she was still on shift.
The initial conversation involved a general knowledge quiz as well as a telephone interview.
@elliemillar96 Replying to @charlotte_kate_x who wants another story time? #fyp #foryour #foryou #foryoupage #trend #tippingpoint #grwm #getreadywithme ♬ original sound – Ellie Millar
That wasn’t the end of the selection process. Ellie was later invited to a Zoom meeting with producers, who wanted to see how she performed in front of a camera.
She recalled being asked more general knowledge questions during the process, although she admitted she couldn’t remember many of them.
“They asked me some more general knowledge questions. I don’t really remember those ones but, again they were not all correct and they were like okay thank you Ellie we will be in touch.”
After another few weeks without hearing anything, Ellie finally received the news she had been hoping for.
“I’m pretty sure I got a phone call saying they would love to have me on the show. Oh my god, I couldn’t believe it.”
ITV covered her journey to Bristol
Ellie’s episode was filmed on May 26, several months before it eventually appeared on television in October 2022.
Because filming took place in Bristol, ITV arranged her travel and accommodation.
Ellie was initially asked about train travel, but decided she would drive instead. She provided her postcode to the production team, who calculated the approximate petrol cost and gave her the money to cover it.
Her hotel was not particularly luxurious, she said, but she was happy with the accommodation. When she arrived in the evening, producers also gave her a food voucher so she could get something to eat.
Describing the experience, Ellie simply said it was a “10/10 experience.”
Contestants have strict clothing rules
There were also some surprisingly specific instructions about what contestants could wear.
Ellie said she was required to bring three different outfit choices to the studio. However, the clothes could not be blue, patterned or feature logos.
Producers also encouraged contestants to choose bold colours.
Despite bringing three options, Ellie said none of them received approval.
In the end, she had to wear the jumper she had travelled to Bristol in while appearing on the show.
Contestants are made to get to know each other
On filming day, Ellie said the contestants had to be ready from around 8.30am, even though filming itself wasn’t scheduled to begin until 12.45pm.
Before the cameras started rolling, producers went through a series of rules with the contestants.
Ellie said cheating would result in immediate removal from the game, while contestants were also warned about swearing.
But perhaps one of the more unusual parts of the preparation involved the three contestants being left alone together.
“We were told to chat to each other for the next hour,” Ellie explained, saying producers wanted the contestants to become comfortable around one another so that things wouldn’t feel awkward once filming began.
Eventually, it was time to head onto the stage and meet host Ben Shephard.
Ellie reveals what Ben Shephard was like
For Ellie, meeting Ben was one of the highlights of the day.
She recalled seeing the presenter talking to a producer before he turned to greet the contestants.
“He was just talking to the producer and was like ‘hi guys, are you okay?’ He was so so lovely and I was a bit starstruck.”
The excitement of filming meant much of the day became a blur for Ellie. Even years later, she said she could only clearly remember certain moments.
“The whole day was such a blur, even thinking back on it now there’s only specific things I remember.”
Ellie played for £10,000 in the final
Ellie managed to beat both of her fellow contestants, leaving her alone to compete in the final round for a potential £10,000.
However, she admitted that she struggled during the final and only managed to build her cashpot to £2,100.
When Ben asked whether she wanted to continue playing for the full £10,000, Ellie decided not to take the risk.
Instead, she accepted the £2,100 she had accumulated.
After filming wrapped, Ben offered to take a photograph with her.
Ellie said she chatted with him about what she planned to do with the winnings, telling him the money could help her and her boyfriend travel to Bali.
She then left the studio.
How long did Ellie wait for her winnings?
Before leaving, Ellie had to sign a contract outlining when she would receive her prize money.
She said one of the main restrictions placed on her was that she could not reveal the outcome of the episode to other people before it aired.
There was, however, one exception.
Ellie admitted that she told her mum.
“I did tell my mum though, I’m not going to lie.”
Although her episode wasn’t broadcast until October 2022, Ellie didn’t have to wait until it appeared on television before receiving her winnings.
According to the former contestant, the payment arrived after roughly three to four weeks.
“I think it was around one month, like three or four weeks. I know they had to do a few checks and things like that, but it was pretty quick.”
For Ellie, the experience therefore involved far more than simply stepping onto the Tipping Point stage. From the unexpected audition call and camera tests to the clothing rules, contestant introductions and meeting Ben Shephard, she offered viewers a rare glimpse into what happens before the episode they see on television finally makes it to air.