Former Tipping Point Winner Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of ITV Show
A former winner of the popular ITV game show Tipping Point has provided an exclusive glimpse into what truly happens behind the scenes, detailing everything from secret producer meetings and the real personality of host Ben Shepherd to the timeline for receiving her cash prize. Ellie Millar, a social media influencer boasting an impressive 2.9 million followers on TikTok, shared her comprehensive journey after appearing on the programme in October 2024, which was actually filmed several months earlier in May.
The Application and Selection Process
Ellie Millar applied for Tipping Point after watching the show with her now-husband, Sam, and was genuinely astonished when she received a callback just a few weeks after submitting her application. She recalled receiving a missed call and voicemail while working at Costa Coffee, with her manager urging her to return the call during her shift. This initial contact involved a general knowledge quiz and a telephone interview, which subsequently led to a Zoom meeting with producers to assess her comfort and performance in front of a camera.
"They asked me some more general knowledge questions. I don't really remember those ones but, again they were not all correct and they were like okay thank you Ellie we will be in touch," Ellie explained. "I didn't hear anything for a few weeks, and then I'm pretty sure I got a phone call saying they would love to have me on the show. Oh my god, I couldn't believe it."
Filming Day Logistics and Preparations
Ellie filmed the show on May 26, with ITV covering her travel expenses to Bristol, where the programme is recorded, and providing accommodation in a hotel near the filming location. She detailed how the production team inquired about train travel, but she opted to drive instead. "I had to send my postcode and they worked out how much it would cost in petrol and gave me the money for the petrol," she said. Regarding the hotel, she noted, "The hotel wasn't really really fancy, but it was nice. Also the evening I got there they gave me a food voucher to go and get myself some food. It was a 10/10 experience."
In terms of wardrobe, Ellie was instructed to bring three outfit options that could not be blue, patterned, or feature any logos, with producers preferring bold colours. Interestingly, all three of her proposed outfits were vetoed, forcing her to wear the jumper she had travelled in during the actual show.
On-Set Rules and Meeting Ben Shepherd
On the day of filming, contestants had to be ready by approximately 8:30 AM for a 12:45 PM start. "They had to go through loads of rules, if you're caught cheating obviously you're straight away out of the game, if you swear, but yeah it was fine," Ellie recounted. A unique aspect involved the contestants being left in a room together for an hour before filming to foster camaraderie. "What's so crazy is that us three contestants were left in this room and we were told to chat to each other for the next hour, because once filming starts they don't want it to be awkward between the contestants."
When it was time to meet host Ben Shepherd, Ellie described him as exceptionally kind. "He was just talking to the producer and was like 'hi guys, are you okay?' He was so so lovely and I was a bit starstruck," she said, adding that the entire day felt like a blur with only specific memories standing out.
Gameplay and Prize Money Details
Ellie successfully defeated both of her opponents and advanced to the final round, where she could have played for up to £10,000. However, she admitted to performing "terrible" in that round, only managing to build her cashpot to £2,100. When Ben Shepherd asked if she wanted to continue playing for the larger sum, she decided to stick with her winnings and not take the risk.
After the show, Ben offered to take a photo with her, and Ellie shared her excitement about using the money for a trip to Bali with her boyfriend. She was then required to sign a contract outlining when she would receive her prize money. "The only rules I was told is that I couldn't disclose to anyone what the outcome of the show was. I did tell my mum though, I'm not going to lie," she confessed.
Receiving the Winnings
Although the episode aired on October 26, Ellie did not have to wait until broadcast to receive her money. "I think It was around one month, like three or four weeks. I know they had to do a few checks and things like that, but it was pretty quick," she revealed, highlighting the efficient process despite the necessary administrative verifications.
