The Diary

28th September 2000
Head of sixth form at my school announces that application forms for 'Blockbusters' are available. Most of sixth form sniggers. I get a crazy idea in my head, pick up a form and write off.

12th November 2000
I've got an audition! Take a look at this letter! Wow.

21st November 2000
Audition went well, I think... I hope...

Some interesting points - I was definitely the youngest there (sixteen in five days, so I'll be just old enough then). Some from King's College, Grantham... some from Nottingham High School for Girls. They all seemed to know each other, which was unnerving. Never mind.

Kathy and Charlotte, the contestant researchers, seemed pleasant enough. Think Mel and Sue. But not looking much like them.

Arrived early at the hotel (posh place, right in the centre of Birmingham). We were ushered into a conference room at three o'clock, got a short introduction and went round the table and introduced ourselves.

After that (this was about 3:50, so we were running late), we had a sheet with twenty-six Blockbusters questions on it to fill in. I got 22 and a half marks, not bad... there were a few nasty questions on it, though.

And that was it. We'd be contacted in the next fortnight if we were shortlisted.

30th November 2000
I've been shortlisted! This letter arrived in the post this morning...

4th December 2000
Sent my shortlist questionnaire form back... if I'm selected, this is what Liza Tarbuck will choose to chat to me about. So, nothing too embarrassing on there.

20th December 2000
I am in a state of shock.

Got home from the last day of school at lunchtime to find a message taped to the wall - "Charlotte, Blockbusters" and a phone number. Rang back - she's not in. On tenterhooks until 3pm when she rings and tells me that I'm on the show. Tentative filming date is 23rd January (this can change as it's a knockout tournament game)...

Received basic clothing instructions over phone - no white, no blue (it merges with the background), no logos, no checks or stripes, bring three different tops because you might be here for three days. Oh, and they'll pay for all my travel.

More information to arrive by post, but being close to Christmas, they can't guarantee it'll arrive before Yuletide. Wish each other Merry Christmas, thank profusely, laugh, hang up, whoop with joy.

Phone round all friends. Receive offer of supporters' club, called "Scotty's Babes".

With a name like that, how can I turn them down?

27th December 2000
My infopack arriveth!

A few comments on this - firstly, the clothing guidelines pretty much rule out my entire wardrobe, such as it is, which is made up of mostly black, grey or blue. Agh.

Apart from that, everything seems fair enough. I've started watching the show, trying to beat the contestants. It's only when you try and buzz in before them that you realise how quick they are. Less than a month to my recording date now...

21st January 2000
Well, the release form is signed, the train tickets are booked... in two days, I'm off to Leeds to play Blockbusters!

I managed to get ten tickets for the "club", but I've had to let quite a few people down, which is a pity. Ah well... less pressure, I guess...