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DAVID ST. JOHN- TV QUIZ SHOW FREAK!
Probably one of the most unusual TV quiz show contestants around! David has been in the entertainment business for most of his life, starting out as a ten year old rock and roll singer, before spending much of the Sixties and Seventies as lead vocalist/frontman for several pop groups around his hometown of Southampton. He did well with his education, in a variety of subjects, although being asked to leave his grammar school at the age of 16, due to an increasing interest in the pop industry, along with a general dissatisfaction of teaching methods. The next few years were spent in a variety of ‘day jobs’ whilst enjoying the evening delights of the ‘Swinging Sixties’, including working as a driver, tenpin bowling alley mechanic, amusement machine engineer, photographer, and a short spell as a steeplejack! (Really!)
Since launching into a solo career, David has been working the showbusiness circuit for some 30 years, with an all round mix of stand-up comedy, impressions, vocals and much more. He has appeared all over the UK and abroad, on the club, hotel, holiday centre circuits, as well as some successful cruise work around the Caribbean and Eastern Mediterranean. David has also performed alongside many top names in the entertainment profession, as well as a few odd TV appearances in various shows, but was always determined to get more exposure in a much different way! Thanks to his father, David had a love of books from an early age, preferring non fiction and his favourite reading was usually encyclopaedias, being fascinated by trivia and having a superb memory and instant recall, which would later be rewarded.
Apart from his beloved trivia, David has always been able to remember hundreds of song lyrics and jokes, throughout his long career, and many of his (envious) friends often teased him about this, although conveniently forgetting how beneficial this was to his career. He was then motivated by all this, being amused by similar comments, such as ‘What’s the use of knowing all this trivia?" The next step? Go for a TV quiz!
His first audition, back in 1982, led him on the long road to Norwich, for the "Quiz of the Week", and his first taste of the wonderful world of TV quiz shows, appearing on ‘Sale of the Century’. David stormed his way through this first experience, as well as having a few laughs along the way, being cool, calm and collected on the outside, but having a busy brain working at full speed on the inside! He duly won this show, which gave him the taste for future TV quizzes, the next one being a bonus surprise from the first one.
David got a call from Grundy Television, as they were looking for top winners, from the ‘Sale of the Century’ to take part in an InterContinental ‘Ashes’ challenge, between the GB champions, and their Australian counterparts. He was one of several all-winners, who were auditioned and then selected as a nine player team, flown out to Melbourne, on a Cathay Pacific 747 business class flight, with VIP treatment all the way! Limos at the airport, plus four star hotel treatment – what more could a quizzer wish for?
Unbeknown to David, he was not aware of his fellow contestants, or their prowess and reputation, then was seeded against one Daphne Fowler in a preliminary heat, and the outcome can only be imagined! Having two weeks in Australia was more than a consolation prize, and upon returning to the UK, he then set out on a long trail of TV quiz shows – this is the full list so far:
1982 "Sale of the Century" Champion
1986 "Sale of the Century" *Australia* Member of G.B. all-winners team
1986 "Music Match" Panel game
1987 "Chain Letters" Champion
1987 "Winner Takes All" Champion
1989 "Keynotes" Panel game
1990 "Brainwave"
1990 "Star Quality"
1990 "Talkabout" Champion
1995 "Timekeepers"
1996 "Jeopardy" Champion
1997 "15 to 1"
1998 "Wipeout" Champion
2001 "The Weakest Link"
2001 "Number One"
2001 "The Biggest Game In Town"
2002 "No Win – No Fee"
2002 "The Machine" Heat winner
2002 "Judgemental" Panellist
2003 "Brainteaser" Champion
2004 "Memory Bank"
2006 "Rovers Return Quiz Night" Champion
2008 "Eggheads" Due for transmission late November - see this new webpage for a pre-show outline EGGHEADS
You can check out all of these shows on the UK Game Show website, dedicated to TV quiz shows: www.ukgameshows.com It might even set you on the same path!
Another site is www.quizplayers.com or try www.quizzing.co.uk
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
SALE OF THE CENTURY 1982 Anglia Television <<<--- Follow this link for full info page
My first show, was a great baptism into this strange world of TV quizzes, and it does get you hooked, as many fellow quizaholics will testify. This classic show was hosted by the brilliant Nicholas Parsons, one of the finest quiz show hosts in the business, although being just one of his many talents, which have kept him in the public eye over the decades, and he is forever being ‘re-invented’ and ‘re-discovered’! I have also had the pleasure of meeting him, on a couple of occasions since that fateful show, and you couldn’t wish for a nicer guy, and his prowess as a fast-talking, but articulate intelligent quizmaster – he didn’t want any waffle to get in the way of the matter at hand, and was keen to get as many questions in as possible. I was one of three contestants, including a very clever middle aged lady and a parish priest – what a contrast! Even funnier still, was when I managed to beat the vicar on the buzzer, for a couple of Bible questions – he was quite red faced about this, but took it in good fun - a nice chap. Just click on the header link to find out more......
SALE OF THE CENTURY ASHES 1986 Intercontinental <<<--- Follow this link for full info page
I took a phone call, thinking this was a wind-up, as some person asked me if I was ‘interested in going to Australia’ – I know that some of my 19th century relatives were also ‘persuaded’ to go Down Under, albeit in chains! Luckily, I didn’t give them a mouthful, and discovered that they were auditioning a few Sale of the Century champions, to take part in an ‘Ashes’ type contest, competing against the Australian all winners. I went to London, and was auditioned, interviewed, photographed, then waited for the call, which came a week later – Yes!!
What a contrast to the low budget TV quiz shows, as seen in the UK at that time – the Australian version was a big budget production, thanks to heavy advertising and highly commercial television in that beautiful country. Nine of us were flown out First Class, on a Cathay Pacific 747, with the added bonus of half a day stopover in Hong Kong, which I spent wandering all over this vibrant city –amazing experience. One of the contestants, a middle-aged lady seemed to keep to herself, on the flight over, and spending much of her spare time, by reading reference books, plus listening to cassette tapes, which were obviously part of her ‘homework’ on quiz shows – serious or what?
After a few days of chilling out, in Melbourne, we watched the first recordings of the Australian champions, and they were impressive – one of them being a top scientist, so I’m thinking "Oh oh…" Time for our own GB knockout heats, and I was up against a bright travel agent, plus this aforementioned lady- none other than Daphne Fowler, whose reputation needs no explanation in here! Needless to say, she was far too quick on the buzzer, although I was milliseconds behind her on so many questions, and was therefore consigned to the audience seats, after a hectic few rounds, against this former brilliant and dedicated ‘Brain of Britain’ and much more- bless her! Just click on the header link to find out more......
MUSIC MATCH 1986 BBC
This was a great little show – a BBC panel game, based on music played by the resident Laurie Holloway band, recorded at the main BBC studios in London. This show was hosted by the multi-talented Barry Cryer, whom I had always respected for his own comedy work over the years. Again, he was a pleasure to meet, and we all had a few laughs on this show, which featured two teams, captained by Liza Goddard and our team by Willie Rushton, another comedy genius! No prizes on this show, but a light hearted ad-libbing show, where I was able to throw in a few one-liners, some of which were edited out, in deference to the ‘stars’! I was informed, off the cuff, that I was slightly ‘overshadowing’ the celebs – a lesson to be learnt further down the line………
CHAIN LETTERS 1987 Tyne Tees
Courtesy Tyne Tees Television/Action Time
Another successful audition, then up to Newcastle Upon Tyne, for show number four! Love him or hate him – the host was the much maligned Jeremy Beadle, but I enjoyed this great experience, and you couldn’t wish for a nicer guy, who took the time out to chat with all the contestants, to put them at ease (not me – Mr Super Cool!) He was the ultimate professional, and a superb quizmaster, who hosted this fast-moving word game, which was a very close show throughout, but I just managed to scrape in at the last hurdle, to be outright winner – what a feeling!
Beadle was also a very clever guy himself, and we had a nice chat after the show about all manner of things, plus we also received a Longmans Dictionary which he is signing in this photo below
He also wrote a nice little message too: "May a bright star guide you always.......Jeremy" Nice.
January 2008 Jeremy Beadle sadly passed away after a short illness but left behind a great legacy. I am glad to have met him along my TV quiz path and very few presenters could match this talented guy. I am sure that Jeremy's own bright star is still guiding him.
WINNER TAKES ALL 1987 YORKSHIRE TV
Look at me - always hugging the hostess!
Courtesy Yorkshire Television
Same year, and another TV quiz show! This was hosted by Geoffrey Wheeler, a well respected broadcaster, who actually devised this classic show, although only providing the voiceovers, throughout the earlier series, hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck. This was recorded at Yorkshire Television studio in Leeds, and I managed to win two shows, before stumbling on the third, due to a couple of silly wrong answers, and duly kicking myself in the process! Never mind – a champion yet again, and raring to go for the next show…..
KEYNOTES 1989 GRUNDY TV/ITV NETWORK
Courtesy Grundy TV
Off to the HTV studios in Bristol, to record Keynotes – the first programme of a new series, based on snatches of music playbacks, with two teams of three people trying to guess the tune, in between the missing notes, as well as answering music questions linked to each round. This show was hosted by the likeable Alistair Divall, and was aimed at the morning television slot, being a light hearted fun game and giving us a all a chance for a few laughs. I was grouped up with two strangers, and one of them was a guy called Chris Marshall, who only lived a few miles away from me, in the Midlands – more of him later…
BRAINWAVE 1990 BBC/ACTION TIME
Courtesy BBC Television
Brainwave took me to Liverpool, including a night’s stopover at the luxurious Adelphi Hotel! I competed against a rather pompous old bat (maybe a retired headmistress?) who objected to my rather light-hearted approach to the proceedings, but she managed to beat me on the overall show, going onto the jackpot round, which she didn’t crack (aw shame) This show, hosted by Andy Craig, featured ‘celebrity help’ from guest experts on various subjects, who could be called upon to assist in any relevant question, including Bill Cotton Jr on entertainment, but I didn’t need help on that subject! Other assistants were Oz Clark on food and wine, along with Dr Stephan Bucwezi as the gardening brain, plus a sporting expert, and quite an interesting show.
STAR QUALITY 1990 HTV
Courtesy HTV
This was a show that was more suited to me, being based on entertainers, who were put through their paces, on this showbusiness game, with a live audience, who also sat in judgement on the acts! Hosted by Gyles Brandreth, this show consisted of a few entertainers walking round a floor-based gameboard, and answering questions, with a chance to do a short performance, plus a spot at the end of the show. I wasn’t lucky enough to land on too many ‘lucky’ squares, but did a small stand-up comedy spot at the end of the show. Who cares – it was fun!
TALKABOUT 1990 YORKSHIRE TV
Back to Leeds yet again, for a show with a difference, and a chance to team up with Chris 'Zippy' Marshall, from the previous Keynotes show just over a year before. This was a great fast-moving show, hosted by the multi-talented Andrew O’Connor, and we hit it off well, coming from similar backgrounds! The show was based on teams of two people, and each player had a minute to talk about given subjects, hoping to match ‘keywords’ which would prevent the opposition from guessing what was being ‘talked about’ hence the show’ name. Chris and I (both fast-talking players!) managed to unseat the reigning champions, and we went onto become outright winners of this show, which was yet another excellent programme with a difference! We also had loads of laughs, with Chris and I doing a virtual comedy double act with gags, impressions and plenty of banter with Andrew who managed to cope with the madness. As for Chris's nickname above - we did a 'Rainbow' skit and you can guess which voice he did well!
TIMEKEEPERS 1995 BBC/ACTION TIME
Quite a tough game, based on general knowledge against the clock, and this show was recorded in Manchester, hosted by Bill Dod. There was some strong opposition on this outing, but still an enjoyable experience, as are most TV quiz shows – it’s great to take part, even if not winning anything, and I just love being on any such show – it’s quite addictive!
JEOPARDY 1996 SKY/ACTION TIME
Yet another excellent production from Action Time, one of the leading quiz and game show companies in the business, and this has been my favourite show of all time, hosted by Paul Ross, no stranger to TV quiz shows! This was recorded at Central (now Carlton) studios in Nottingham, and was the UK version of one of the most popular successful US shows, brought to these shores. A game with a difference – you chose the subject, then got the answer read out, whereby you had to give the question which related to it! A very fast buzzer round, plus a gambling element as you could lose many accumulated points, if giving a wrong answer – even incorrectly worded in the form of a question! When I joined the show, I was up against two other players, one of whom was a lady champion, returning yet again, to (hopefully) go on to win a series of shows, for a bonus jackpot. Luckily, I was on top form, and went onto blast my way through the show, and racking up one of the highest scores in the whole series, as well as knocking the reigning champion of her perch! I then went onto stuff the next two players on show number two, but didn’t quite manage to sustain my winning run for the third show, due to some bad luck on a final question.
FIFTEEN TO ONE 1997 REGENT TV/CHANNEL 4
One of the classic quizzes of all times, and one of the toughest! I was looking forward to this particular show, although knowing that I might be ‘voted out’ on the whim of fellow contestants. This was the start of many similar shows to come, whereby a player might be perceived as a ‘threat’, so could lose the chance to win, despite being a strong player! I felt unlucky on Fifteen to One, as my first question, cast by William G. Stewart, was one of those long-winded convoluted types that get you thinking all the way through the various clues, but result in a wrong answer! I much prefer straightforward quick action buzzer rounds, where knowledge plus that all important instant recall come into play, and I then fell at the first round hurdle, by getting my second question wrong, thus sealing my fate! One of those annoying questions, to which I knew of two answers – I went for the incorrect choice! I note that many well known quiz players have also fell at this first stage, despite winning many other shows, so this made it bearable, but determined to do well on my next bash! Fifteen to One was filmed at a small Wandsworth studio, to which I would return some four years later, with a much more formidable host at the helm…….
WIPEOUT 1998 BBC
Another great show, and the bonus of meeting my comedy idol – Bob Monkhouse, King of the Game Show hosts! I had appeared alongside him, several years before, on the Butlins circuit, as well as auditioning for ‘Bob’s Opportunity Knocks’, so it was a pleasure to see the master at work yet again. Recorded in Manchester, I was one of three contestants playing for a ‘holiday’, and enjoyed this board type game, full of tricky choice words that needed to be eliminated. A mix of knowledge and guesswork, that was lucky for me yet again, racking up another game show win, plus the chance to crack a couple of gags and a quick impression, thanks to Bob’s prompting! December 2003 - Bob passed away and showbusiness mourned one of its greatest stars who will be remembered as 'the 'Master' for a long time to come. Again, like Jeremy Beadle, I was glad to have met this real star and you could not have wished to meet a nicer chap.
THE WEAKEST LINK` 2001 ` BBC
Yes - one of the big ones! Once again, a confrontational type of quiz, that could see a player voted off, for the most spurious of reasons eg his/her occupation, location or merely the colour of a shirt! This was during the early part of this series, that soon became a massive hit, and one of the most popular quizzes of its kind, spawning many similar ‘nasty’ shows, that have proliferated over recent years. Anne Robinson was just getting into her stride at this stage, but I was ready for anything, having been a comedy entertainer for many years, with the necessary thick skin plus suitable answers to anything that might have been thrown at me! I decided to keep a low profile for this show, and travelled down the night before, then not deciding to mingle with any fellow contestants around the hotel, just in case I was ‘recognised’ as a possible ‘threat’!
On the morning, I strolled nonchantly into the same Wandsworth studio, where I took part in the previous Fifteen to One, then faced my ‘rivals’ in the Green Room. I was immediately scrutinised by the other contestants, and a few light-hearted comments were made "Oh – you’ve been on a few TV quiz shows, haven’t you?" etc. We then traipsed into the dark forbidden studio, and after a few checks, we were graced with the presence of Miss Whiplash herself! No preliminaries – straight into the no nonsense game, and I felt good and confident, banging in the questions and some good banking as well.
Relief at not being bounced on Round One – this axe fell on some unlucky American guy who missed out on a couple of easy questions, but were UK based culture, which went against him. Then the crunch – I got a first question wrong, being a bit too hasty on answering a question, to which I knew the answer, but the brain told my mouth to spurt out another one, which was related to the subject. Kept at it, getting some more right, but then stumbled on a bad luck question, not aided by Ms Robinson’s pronunciation! It was an ambiguous-sounding question, to which I merely repeated part of the poser (more of a query) but was pounced on by the lady in black, as a wrong answer. Then came the voting, and I was surprised to have been voted out, despite not being the weakest link in the round, and got that sinking annoying feeling, as the votes were revealed one by one! I was confident of being able to stuff most of the other remaining players, but not on this occasion….. I was even more annoyed at not being able to have some fun with Anne Robinson, as she didn’t intimidate me one bit, and we only had a brief laugh, as I was given my marching orders! Who cares – it was a great experience, and I would love to have another go.
NUMBER ONE 2001 ITV
This show, recorded in Manchester, comprised ten players, who were to play against each other, moving up and down the podiums (or podia?) depending on the whim of fellow contestants – yes, one of ‘those’ shows again! Hosted by Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy - we were lucky enough not to have been asked to spell his name for one of the questions! Quite a high standard of general knowledge in this show, and some fairly tough opposition, whereby leading players could get his/her rivals voted down the line, and into the dreaded ‘elimination zone’. I enjoyed this fast and furious game, managing to stay in the higher positions, including the ‘Number One’ spot for some while, before being booted off, by another rival! I ended up a close second on this show, which was won by one of those nerdy ‘serious quizzers’ who spend much of their leisure time, doing big time quiz league stuff – yawn…….
THE BIGGEST GAME IN TOWN 2001 ITV
My first ever ‘live’ TV quiz show! My third show in the same year, and back to Manchester for this midday show, with three players, and based on a bingo type game. Much of it was based on the day’s newspapers, so I had to brush up by reading through a few morning papers, which helped me to recall some really trivial nonsense of the day! This show was ably hosted by the smooth Steve LeFevre, and everything worked well on this live show, which certainly kept the adrenalin levels up for everybody connected with the broadcast. Once again, I was pipped to the post, by one point, and failing to qualify for the cash jackpot, which I could have walked easy, based on the questions that followed, but not won by the other player.
NO WIN – NO FEE 2002 BBC/HAT TRICK
This was my first recording of 2002, but a complete waste of time as far as not being able to be ‘tested’ on my knowledge! An unusual show, recorded at Wembley Studios (The Kumars were next door!) whereby host Paul Ross was at the mercy of the possible jackpot winner, as he would only get paid for doing the show, if the finalist didn’t get their last question right! Another one of those shows, whereby other players chose those rivals to answer particular questions, depending on perception and stereotypes etc. I wasn’t selected to ask or be asked any questions until the last section, then being eliminated, by the fact that my opponent got a very easy poser to answer – so ‘David – Goodbye!"
THE MACHINE 2002 ITV
This unusual show was recorded in a tiny studio, on the outskirts of Manchester, and was a straightforward general knowledge quiz with a difference. The contestants were sat in a futuristic cyber-style chair, facing a giant screen with the questions and multiple choice answers popping up, plus a ticking clock, eating away at the points and wrong answers that penalised you even further. The ‘host’ of this show was not seen, except for added graphics, and voice-synthesised at the post production stage – she was a sexy ‘cyborg’ who asked the questions, along with some gentle teasing should wrong questions be offered. Fortunately, the lady’s voice was ‘normal’ and heard but not seen, during this show, which was a fun thing to do – a show with a difference, but only being broadcast around the 1 a.m. slot. It was a straightforward individual quiz, and the show’s winning scores went onto a running scoreboard for the series, and I managed to blast my way to the heat winner’s standing yet again, whilst my rivals racked many a minus score, much to their embarrassment!
JUDGEMENTAL 2002 BBC
My last show of this year was not as a contestant, but as a member of the ‘Workforce’ – a panel of four, who were chosen to answer questions on specific questions by the two main players. The contestants were given very basic information on these strangers, and had to guess who might be knowledgeable on this very subject – again based on age, style, stereotypes with more personal information being made available. Hosted by BBC newsreader – the glamorous Sophie Raworth, who kept this fair-paced show moving well, along with some adroit questioning of ‘motives’ as each main player was asked to explain their reasons for picking certain ‘Workforce’ panellists. This show was recorded at the South Bank studios, next to the Thames, so offered a good day out, as well as taking part in this interesting show, although I would have preferred to play the game, as opposed to being a possible ‘expert’ on any given subject
BRAINTEASER 2003 CHANNEL 5
Well here we go – show number 20, and my only show of 2003, recorded LIVE in Oxford, at the tiniest studio imaginable (even the mice were hunchback!) This live broadcast was hosted by the gorgeous Alex Lovell who did a terrific, but difficult task, with fast-moving rounds, ad-breaks plus phone-in players to contend with. She is one of the most competent hosts I have had the pleasure to appear with, and we had a few laughs throughout the live show and beyond. Not exactly my kind of ideal show, based on word games and anagrams – more suited to a Countdown or Scrabble –type player, although there was a fair element of general knowledge as well.
Once again, I managed to storm my way through this show, and managed to reach the jackpot final, but didn’t qualify for a high bonus, having got stuck on one of those relatively easy wordmixes, that just wouldn’t register with the old brain! Never mind – I was a champion yet again, which made it all worthwhile.
Alex Lovell - Phwooaaaar! Click on this image for her own website
MEMORY BANK 2004 CHANNEL 5
Back to Oxford again, to the same studio in which I won Brainteaser just over a year before! Memory Bank, hosted by the very attractive and capable Rachel Pierman, transmitted LIVE and one of those slightly difficult memory games, based on trying to remember some 15 'hidden' symbols on a grid etc. I did approach this game with some trepidation, as this was a slightly awkward short term memory-based shows, as opposed to my preference for trivia-based gameplays - mind you, I felt the same when appearing on Brainteaser just over a year before! This was to be my only show of 2004 although I feel that there are not that many of my kind of TV quiz shows around of late. Another aspect might be that my history of appearance can possibly have a downside, when auditioning for new shows? One has to put down any previous shows whenever going for these interviews and many a researcher has been stunned to see what I've been up to over all these years!
The odds weren't bad though - just three players and I was sat between two young ladies so that was a bonus ;o) My heart sank when seeing that dreaded first grid, which was the much feared 'smiley faces' board and my brain couldn't handle this round, although I managed to claw my back up in round two which resulted in a close scoring finish. Again, another good day out at the smallest studio in the business, and the show is now moving down to Bristol so it will be interesting to see any developments. This was another Endemol backed production and very friendly crew, researchers, assistants plus a few laughs with Rachel, so proving that it is fun, when taking part in any TV quiz show and a bonus if you manage to win anything. Right - that's it for the moment and now itching to go for whatever comes next!
Rachel Pierman Memory Bank presenter
July 2006 At last - another TV quiz show!
Just click on this picture below to learn more
THE ROVERS RETURN QUIZ NIGHT!
September 2008
Show number 24 and a team effort on one of the most popular TV quiz shows in recent years. Me and four fellow comedians take on the mighty
Just click on the image above or the link to read all about this challenge
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LINK: 123Quiz.netcopyright ©David St John 2008