Early Saturday afternoon I was bundled into a car, destination the Sky TV studios in Osterley, West London to film my bit for the show called Angels hosted by Gloria Hunniford. The actual filming was from 4pm - 10:15pm, plus around an hour and a half journey each way, so it was a fairly long day.
The Sky studios are as fabulous as I'd heard. When I arrived and got through security I was escorted to the Green Room in Studio 2. I could order a selection of hot drinks or bottled water and any kind of food I wanted someone would be sent out to get it for me! As well as a huge plasma TV screen there were newspapers, comfy sofas and a reclining massage chair - hello, how could I work in these conditions lol!
I was just onto my second cup of tea when Gloria Hunniford popped her head around the door. She was so friendly, we chatted for a good 15 minutes before she headed off to hair and make up, and she was actually reluctant to go! Gloria tragically lost her daughter TV presenter Karen Keating to cancer in 2004 and mentioned that she asks Karen to send her white feathers to let her know she is ok. Something I also ask and receive from my Mum. I brought up the subject about Karen and I think she was pleased that I had acknowledged her.
I decided to try the massage chair (it would have been rude not to!) I found it surprisingly powerful a bit like having someone wearing boxing gloves punch you in the back! Whilst I was fiddling with the remote control trying to find the 'neck zone' a little Kings Charles Spaniel dog came running in closely followed by a man which turned out to be Gloria's dog Gemma with her husband Stephen in hot pursuit! He was very friendly and also stopped for a chat whilst I played with the dog. He did make me laugh when he said he had mislaid the dogs pink lead and had resorted to using the belt from his trousers as a temporary one!
Next I was taken over to studio one to record my story which will be slotted into the main programme. It's where Sky TV news is recorded so on the way I got to see the newscaster waiting for his next slot; it's a really amazing set. After a quick visit to hair and make up, I was perched on a high stool against a blue screen with a microphone below me and told my story which I managed in one take - woo!
Back over to studio two again and I met up with some of the audience members who began arriving (no food, drink and special treatment for them lol!) I was escorted onto the set and passed some dressing rooms along the way. The door to the end one opened and out came Bill Roach - Ken Barlow from Coronation Street! I said hello to him and muttered something about 'fancy meeting you here' before taking my place on the end section of row 3. Gloria arrived shortly afterwards and was happily chatting to everyone and telling jokes.
It was absolutely freezing in there but I soon forgot about that as they started recording. There were a couple of stories which people told about their angel experiences, an angel expert and a professor who was the sceptic discussing the stories. There was also a psychic who did readings from angel cards and Gloria interviewed the special guest who turned out to be none other than Bill Roach!
Gloria is so professional and kept everyone entertained between breaks, there were very little retakes and hanging around. I have to say it is the most enjoyable TV experience I have had to date (and I don't do TV remember!!) Kudos to Gloria, she is one amazing lady.
There are ten shows in the series and they will be shown on Sky TV One from 24th July and each Friday thereafter at 9pm. I don't know what number show I'm in as they are not recording them in order. If you like angels it's well worth watching (and no they didn't pay me to say that!)
email: dover7@msn.com
that's a lot of handbags!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".