The Crystal Maze was one of the most popular TV game shows of the 1990s, with viewers obsessed with its various crazy puzzles and challenges.
But what was it really like to appear on the show at its peak? One former contestant, Chris Tait, has lifted the lid on his experience on the bizarre series, as he admits he never even got to use his skiing holiday prize.
Chris, 54, appeared on the show back in 1994, after a three-part interview process, with his team earning the joint-highest score in show history, gaining 10/13 of giant Swarovski crystals.
He reveals during the 1.5 days of filming, selections were made on who was doing what activity at the start of each section, so random allocation as appeared on TV ‘wasn’t really true’, with no input from contestants.
The former contestant went on to share that he ‘never actually got his prize’ after his group won a dog sledding holiday in Finland, as it ‘wasn’t all paid for’ and would have cost ‘£100’s in add ons’.
Finally, he revealed host Ed Tudor-Pole was the ‘life and soul of the wrap party’ and claims he even saw the presenter ‘dancing with an inflatable doll’...
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Speaking in conjunction with Spin Genie’s AR Treasure Quest launch, Chris Tait says:
What was the application process like?
So firstly, an application form asking questions about yourself, the type of person you are, how would others describe you, that sort of thing. There was then a phone call back to speak to you and explore the form with you in a bit more detail, which led to an interview. The interview was held locally to me in Newcastle in a hotel, where I went through a group interview with about 6-8 applicants.
This was testing individual capabilities, as well as how you work as a team. There were at least 2 others at my audition who made it onto different episodes in my series. I auditioned in the August/Sept of 1993, found out I’d been accepted around the mid October, filmed it around 9/10 December, and then it aired July 1994. I found out by letter, as there were not many mobiles about then, and then made arrangements for travel by phone after that.
Can you talk us through the day of filming?
There were 1.5 days of filming in total. I travelled to the studio on Thursday afternoon, and met team members for the first time at dinner that night. We then travelled from hotel to studio (North Weald airport - repurposed aircraft hangar) and prepped for the show. The captain and vice captain were pre selected, so there was no input into that. We then met the host Ed [Tudor Pole] for the first time while filming live.
Selections were made on who was doing what activity at the start of each section, so random allocation as appeared on TV wasn’t really true. This was all done behind the scenes and no input from contestants. When we all met for the first time the evening before filming, one of the producers told us who the captain and vice captain were. Not sure how they chose, assuming a mix of gender and ages across the series and based on what they saw at auditions We spent all day in studios until about 7pm including the Crystal Dome.
The Dome was done twice - once for real with cameras outside looking in, then again with a camera person inside taking close up shots. The final edit was a mix of both. I remember this process taking about 20 mins for them to count and verify the tokens before filming recommenced and you were told the result. We won 10 out of a possible 13 crystals which was joint highest in show history.
I won both my games, it was one person who lost all her three - she was gutted. You were also told to say which prize you wanted to win should the result go your way. You could choose anything but say ‘xyz’ presumably for the sponsor's benefit. Also perhaps because we recorded the last show of the series.
More filming the day after - close up shots and pick up shots for final edit. On the last day it was great as all the crew were feeling quite rough as there’d been an end of series party on the previous night (which we were invited to) so on the last day, me and another contestant had the run of the place and we messed about on loads of different games and no one cared!
Any funny moments/blunders which happened off-screen?
Off screen as mentioned above was a huge party on Friday night - took over the whole floor and function areas of the hotel and free drinks and food. All sorts of antics were going on, I even saw Ed dancing with an inflatable doll! I’ve still got 2/3 of the tokens from the Crystal Dome which I pocketed on the day! I’ve also been approached several times over the years via social media mainly and asked about the show by die hard fans.
There’s still a huge fan base out there and they love speaking with old contestants. The other thing was that I never actually got my prize. We won a dog sledding holiday in Finland, just for the 6 contestants, but it wasn’t all paid for and it was gonna cost me £100’s to go for all the add ons so I never got a prize. I heard only 4 of our 6 team went, they were the London ones as the holiday started in London and you had to pay for your own travel, as well as food while away and lots of other things.
What were your interactions like with presenter Ed Tudor Pole?
Didn’t meet him til cameras were rolling, I knew who he was from his music career and was star struck, others didn’t have a clue. He kept himself to himself between takes etc but was life and soul at the wrap up party and was a great host. At the time, I was in a band and we spoke a lot about the music business and he gave me advice and tips which was amazing looking back
