UNBELIEVABLE: Ben Shephard revealed his TRUE COLOURS on the ITV set when the cameras STOPPED rolling
A Tipping Point contestant has opened up about his time on the show – and what host Ben Shephard is really like when the cameras stop rolling.
Ross Lannon, a radio presenter and disability blogger, appeared on the hit ITV game show back in April 2022, but it took over two years for the episode to finally air.
Writing on his personal blog, A Life On Wheels, Ross admitted he had ‘given up hope’ that his appearance would air, but was keen to finally spill about his time behind the scenes.
Cornwall-based Ross applied as a ‘joke’ and never expected to get a callback, but he was presently surprised when he made it through several rounds of interviews, phone calls and tests.
He described the experience as ‘amazing’ overall, adding: ‘As someone who loves all things media related, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the studios – especially seeing how everything worked from behind the scenes.’
Ross continued: ‘The show’s producers and runners were all so friendly and welcoming too, which made the whole experience even better.’
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Former Tipping Point contestant Ross Lannon (L) has opened up about his time on the show – and what host Ben Shephard is really like when the cameras stop rolling
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Ross Lannon, a radio presenter and disability blogger, appeared on the hit ITV game show back in April 2022
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Of beloved host Ben, Ross gave a glowing review, saying: ‘Ben Shepherd was really friendly on and off camera’
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He said he felt ‘truly spoilt’ as ITV covered his travel to Bristol, where the episode was filmed, as well as putting him and his family up in a hotel for the night.
As Ross is a wheelchair user, accessibility is important, but he said he felt ‘more than accommodated’ by show staff who listened to his needs.
‘I was slightly concerned that I would struggle to press the buzzer during gameplay due to my muscle weakness,’ Ross wrote. ‘However the team reassured me and I was able to have a practice run beforehand.’
And of beloved host Ben, Ross gave a glowing review, saying: ‘Ben Shepherd was really friendly on and off camera.’
He added: ‘I had the best time and I would do it again in a heartbeat.’
With the episode having been filmed amid still-stringent Covid precautions, Ross lamented that he was unable to explore the set as much as he would have preferred.
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Cornwall-based Ross, pictured with a cardboard cutout of Ben while filming in Bristol, said the experience was amazing
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Although he did not win the episode, Ross bagged a six-month home cocktail subscription, which he branded ‘comical’ given he is not a keen drinker
And although he did not win the episode, Ross secured a ‘mystery-prize’ – a six-month home cocktail subscription to The Cocktail Man.
‘As someone who doesn’t really drink… this is quite comical,’ Ross wrote. ‘But at least my sister was happy!’
Ross has been flooded with messages and comments online since the airing of his episode, and even shared a video to his TikTok page compiling his favourites.
Watchers compared Ross to Tintin and Coronation Street’s Daniel, and he was more than content with poking fun at himself.
