LIGHTS, camera, action...but what happens when you are on a quiz show and your mind goes blank?

Gazette worker Gareth Watkins, 39, admits the thought did cross his mind as he filled in an application for tough TV quiz show Fifteen to One...and a few months later, he got to find out.

Mr Watkins, of Derwent Road, Colchester, found himself in a Glasgow TV studio, with presenter, Sandi Toksvig putting his general knowledge to the test.

He said: “I’ve always enjoyed quizzes.

“I’m the sort of person who is usually shouting answers at the screen while watching TV and thinking, ‘I could do this!’

“I neverhad the courage to try it, until now.”

Mr Watkins says chose Fifteen to One as one of his favourite shows and one more about general knowledge than personality.

He ended up one of 15 chosen to appear and explained: “I applied to get on a previous series and didn’t get through, but then they got in contact.

“There is the feeling you are going to get there on the day and your mind will go blank, or youwill give a stupid answer.

“However, the production crew is very friendly and helpful and puts you at ease before you go on, and during the breaks in filming.

“You go through wardrobe and make-up – something I hadn’t experienced since school plays.”

  • Find out how our man got on by tuning in to Fifteen to One on Channel 4 today at 3pm.