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A former game show contestant has lifted the lid of his experience appearing on some of the UK's most popular game shows, including The Chase, The 1% Club and Tipping Point. Steven Sneade, 69, from Liverpool, has become a familiar face on British quiz shows, experiencing both big wins and painful losses. His standout moment came on The Chase, where he beat Paul Sinha and walked away with a share of £17,000. But not every moment has been a triumph.

"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, Steven revealed how tough the audition process can be - and what producers are really looking for. "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." Trying to fake a big personality won't help, he warned: "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 you do need to stand out." He stressed that quizzing ability alone isn't enough. "You've got to remember it's first and foremost an entertainment show," he explained.

"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."

When it comes to talking about yourself, Steven advised making your life sound as interesting as possible. "You've got to play for your strengths," he said.

"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."

And while he's not a fan of lying, he admitted: "You don't always have to stick 100 per cent to the truth. They don't check up on it.

"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."

Steven also urged applicants to be ready for the social media backlash. "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," he said.

"You've got to be prepared to laugh at yourself." His own Chase journey began with an online application, a phone interview, and a 20-question general knowledge test.

This was followed by an in-person group audition at a Liverpool hotel. "We played a few little games, then a mock-up of The Chase. We had to do a minute piece to camera and another 20-question test."

Only two out of ten were shortlisted. "After about two years, I got a call," he said - though he was nearly dropped because he'd already appeared 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."