Meet James Belshaw, a 46-year-old bus driver from Surrey who’s been on over a dozen of the UK’s favourite gameshows, including Pointless and The Weakest Link. But his passion for TV quizzes hasn’t been without drama! James admits to having a cheeky helping hand when he first got on Countdown. Armed with a keyboard, anagram solver, and a numbers solver on his computer, he thought he was set, but panic set in when he realised he’d be ‘destroyed’ on the show. Almost backing out, it was his wife who convinced him to give it a go.
James claims showbiz is full of quirky characters who play it fast and loose with the truth. After all, no one wants to admit they’ve been on too many TV shows! He began his TV journey with Coach Trip, applied to shows religiously, and found success by applying early for new shows. He gives insider tips on standing out: always have an interesting anecdote ready. For James and his wife, it was their Guinness World Record for the longest kiss!
However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. James got booted off The Chase after forgetting to mention his Pointless appearance on his application. Despite being shown the door, his love for TV couldn’t keep him away, as he later filmed Letterbox at the same set.
What’s James’ secret for wowing producers? According to him, it’s all about turning mundane hobbies into fascinating stories. So, got a penchant for fishing, golf, or niche hobbies? Find your unique angle and light up the screen! Would you ever try your luck at being a gameshow star like James? 🎬📺✨