Ben Shephard has revealed that the counters used on the ITV game show Tipping Point are made of plastic, not metal, putting to rest viewer speculation about magnets being involved. The host disclosed the behind-the-scenes secret on Richard Osman's podcast, The Rest is Entertainment.
Shephard explained that while the counters are plastic, sound effects are added during editing to make them sound like metal. He said: 'I can assure you they are plastic, they aren't metal. We get a lot of people suggesting we use magnets in the machine, I've never yet found a magnet that can control plastic.'
The presenter also clarified what happens to the counters between games. He stated that the machine is restocked with 80 counters on both the upper and lower shelf for each programme. Every drop is carefully counted by adjudicator Julie to ensure contestants receive the correct prize money.
Tipping Point first aired on ITV in 2012 as a summer replacement for The Chase and has since spawned international versions in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Shephard, 50, recently announced on Instagram that filming for series 15 has begun.
Shephard has been a familiar face on British television since his debut on The Bigger Breakfast in 1998. He also presents This Morning alongside Cat Deeley, having secured the permanent role last year.
