BBC's Lottery show hit by fresh 'fake' row

chris

The BBC has been embroiled in a new fakery row over its National Lottery quiz show.

The controversy concerns the process of choosing contestants to take part in the 1 vs 100 programme.

Many viewers have the impression that contestants are picked randomly from members of the studio audience, but it has emerged that BBC producers select players before the show begins.

One contestant from the latest series, which began on April 19, has been on six different quiz shows in the past seven years, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Dennis Powell, 41, has won more than £20,000 in prize money from shows such as the Weakest Link, Deal Or No Deal and Beg Borrow or Steal.

TV experts said Mr Powell was chosen because he "makes good telly", the paper said.

Other contestants have reacted angrily, complaining they had been "duped" by the BBC.

Mr Powell said he was not aware that he has been picked before the show.

"I guess it's random," he told the paper.

"In the current climate, I think it would be pretty dodgy, if somebody had said to me 'Act surprised, we're going to pick you'."

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "We absolutely refute any allegations of fakery. Some selection takes place to ensure contestants are comfortable with the pressure of a television studio and are also reflective of the population at large.

"This is completely within BBC guidelines and is in line with the rest of the TV entertainment industry.

"For technical reasons only, re-shooting some shots is often necessary, again this is part and parcel of making TV entertainment shows."


Source: telegraph