Those of you who follow me on Twitter or are a friend on Facebook, may have noticed mentions of ‘filming’ and ‘secret squirrel’ between myself and Keeley.
We are now, finally, allowed to talk about it, now filming’s all done and editing is in progress.
We’re going to be on telly.
Well, yes, ok, I guess that bit was a given. So what’s it actually all about? Have you ever used Trip Advisor? Or left an online review on a site after a restaurant visit or hotel visit? Everyone’s doing it, I mean what do I do in my spare time if not? The internet and review sites have given everyone the power to review, whether you believe they should or not.
So Channel 4 commissioned a new series, with the working title Judgement Day, with Ruth Watson – the same lady involved in Hotel Inspector (now Alex Polizzi), Country House Rescue (now with Simon Davis) and Ruth Watson’s Hotel Rescue. As a hotelier, broadcaster and writer, she knows what she’s doing.
They then added in some online reviewers. Yep, you’ve guessed it that’s where we come in. Myself and Keeley as one set of reviewers, Jo, her husband Sean and gorgeous daughter Emilia as the second.
We were asked to stay in a hotel, eat in the restaurant and then feedback to the production company. Ruth would visit, offer her own opinion and suggest areas where it could improve. The venues involved are all reasonably successful, but have little niggles and complaints that arise again and again.
The hotel we visited is based just outside York and is, to be honest, as quirky a venue as you can get. The Sidings is a set of 1960s rail carriages converted into a hotel and restaurant by the side of a railway line. For a vintage lover like myself, the memorabilia and nostalgia in the hotel made my heart sing. Sadly, some elements of the stay pulled me down to earth with a bump.
Following this first stay, there was a trip to London for some filming with Ruth and the opportunity to feedback directly to her on the venue.
Then came the fun bit.
Secret filming. Yes, Keeley strapped on the now infamous ‘boob cam’ (affixed to a buttonhole on her cardigan front) and we went back to stay for another night. Though our first trip wasn’t a success, our second trip was worse and all caught on camera. Including my squealing fit at a spider in the bedroom and the 15+ minute wait for a glass of wine. And my piece to camera (iPhone) after a very poor night’s sleep (that bit is a blur).
Finally, and probably most scarily, came the neutral ground meet up between everyone. The business owners, the reviewers and Ruth. And also watching ourselves on the screen.
Needless to say, I’m not going to reveal all. I’ve got to keep you all interested enough to watch haven’t I? But what I will say is that it was an experience – but that I’m unlikely to wear a top with a see-through panel on camera again.
Boobtastic.
HA! Can’t wait.