ITV’s The 1% Club, hosted by Lee Mack of Not Going Out fame, has taken the nation by storm since its launch in 2022. This primetime IQ game show distinguishes itself by asking contestants logical and common-sense questions rather than relying on general knowledge. With 100 competitors initially in the running, they are gradually eliminated until someone manages to answer a fiendishly difficult question within 30 seconds—a question that supposedly only 1% of the population can solve correctly—in hopes of snagging the £100,000 prize. However, a twist behind the scenes has emerged, thanks to a previous contestant revealing some surprising production secrets. Heidi Phillips, 49, divulged details about her experience on the highly-rated ITV show which she participated in October of the preceding year. Having secured her spot on the show after spotting an advert on Facebook and passing a mock quiz via Zoom, Heidi tells all in a conversation with Fruity Slots. Exposing the true goings-on during filming, she let slip that not everything viewers see is as it happens live. According to her account, while participants focus on answering questions on their tablets, host Lee Mack is busy cracking jokes for the audiences at home. However, here lies the rub: Heidi let on that Lee’s humorous interludes aren’t shot concurrently with the contestant’s efforts. She elaborated in her chat with Fruity Slots, elucidating: “While contestants are answering questions on the tablet, Lee usually takes the time to make a joke to the audience at home. But all his comical parts are filmed later. “When we’re answering the question, he remains silent. Then he has to be filmed asking the question again and we have to pretend to put our answers in. That was a bit weird!”. Heidi also revealed that contestants had to adhere to a stringent rule on the show, which, if violated, would result in them having to immediately return any prize money. The contestant, who exited the programme at the 35% question, explained: “When we got put in our seats in the studio, they gave us the tablets and told us it was important to keep our eyes firmly locked on the screens and not look at each other. “There were actually invigilators who go back through the show episode to make sure every contestant plays the game fairly. “You could have won the cash prize but if they go back through filming and see you glanced over at another contestant’s screen before answering, you’ll forfeit the prize.” Heidi added: “That’s not happened yet – but it was a stern warning!”. Despite the strict warning from producers, Heidi said host, Lee, is very charming and “naturally funny”, sharing: “He’s honestly really funny. Very naturally funny. He also has banter with the warm-up comedian and creates a nice atmosphere.” She also expressed her eagerness to return to the show and praised the programme’s staff for “going back over the funny anecdotes I’d shared with them and make sure I’d be happy to discuss it on the show if Lee (Mack) wanted to”. Heidi, who noted the importance of dressing appropriately for the show, avoiding anything “nothing low cut”, remarked: “They seemed really concerned about our welfare and us being happy to share things on TV. They really took the time to check in with us.” For those eager to participate and lucky enough to reach the audition stage, Heidi’s tip is: “When they ask you how you’ll spend the winnings, don’t say something boring like paying off the mortgage. Give a really wild question,” and shared her humorous approach by saying: “I made silly jokes that if I won the prize, I’d spend it on opening a trifle sandwich shop.”