My name is Dave and I have now been involved with five TV productions at various levels.

Then lets do this!

This is complete bunk.

Most shows follow exactly the same process for casting form, audition, show.

Sometimes they extend steps (further auditions) or miss them out completely but that is your basic model.

If you want to get on a show then its easy to find out how.

This is one I absolutely stand by.

When I have applied for shows in the past I have met many other applicants along the way.

I do not recommend this.

Think of an answer, write it out in good detail (casting teams like detail!)

and then move on.

The key thing to remember is that there is no correct answer.

They are rarely looking for specifics.

It is your ticket to audition, nothing more.

If you get an invitation to an audition then your form succeeded, however long you spent on it.

Once you get to audition it is a level playing field again and nothing on that form matters much.

You simply have to back it up.

Make it good, make it interesting, move on.

The first show I applied for was daytime quiz stapleThe Weakest Linkduring my first year at university.

I messed about an awful lot, even pretending to be the voice-over man at one point.

Suffice to say, I never heard back from the show.

like do not do this to yourselves, everybody!

Imagine being asked to fly out to Argentina and being faced withthatobstacle course without knowing what youre in for!

A good knowledge of the show impresses producers too.

Mention specific parts of the show that you cant wait to do, especially the smaller details.

Tell them how much you love it!

The name of the game at audition is to stand out for the right reasons.

Dont worry, its easier than it sounds.

This is part of the test!

If you quibble about times or locations or costs then, well, theyll choose someone else.

ForThe Weakest Link, it was about twenty people.

For my series ofTotal Wipeout, it was fifty other men.

There are two things to take into account here if you are socially anxious.

So channel every inch of self-confidence you’ve got the option to muster and just go for it.

to which the guy pointed at me and shouted YES!

GET TO DE CHOPPAH!

DO IT NOW!.

Do not be one of them.

Take the lead, its your opportunity.

Your task is simply to stand out and that is a much easier goal to shoot for.

Whether you get the magic call or not, thats definitely something to be proud of.

Oh, you never see shy people onThe Cube!

Well that might be because no shy person ever applied because they have already dismissed themselves!

Remember, they are generally not looking for specifics.

Do it for you, not for attention or fame.

You left your comfort zone for an hour or two and it felt good!

That really can be life-affirming.

The only thing left to do then is to throw yourself into whatever show youve made it on to!

Dont act up to what you think the show needs, you already are that person.

Validate the faith theyve shown in you by giving it all youve got and worry about the broadcast later.

Much like getting exam results, that part is never as bad as you think its going to be.

Magic things can happen when you do TV.

It has helped me come to terms with my character, my place in the world and my depression.

It has also helped me find a wife, who was a contestant on a different series ofTotal Wipeout.

I urge my fellow lost souls to try it!

I auditioned for that show once is a great conversation starter.

Good luck, and go get em!

Next time, Ill take you through what it is actually like filming a show!