A BRIDPORT postman had the experience of a lifetime when he took part in a game show to be screened on BBC1 this weekend.
Lucky Tom Glover flew to South America to compete in Winter Wipeout, hosted by Top Gear cheeky chappie Richard Hammond.
The former Colfox School pupil was chosen from more than 300 hopefuls to go to Buenos Aires, Argentina for five days to film the show - an off-shoot of Total Wipeout.
The former View from Bridport reporter was inspired to go through the series of auditions by his Take on Tom column, where he challenged local groups and sportsmen.
The 24-year-old said: “I just saw it advertised on TV and thought it would be fun. I didn’t think I’d make it through to the show but thought I’d go to see what the auditions were like.
“I kept getting past each stage then I had to go for a 10 minute interview about myself and the producers got me to sing and tell jokes.”
The stand-up comedian and founder of Bridport’s Comedy Café added: “It was probably the best experience of my life.
“My actual appearance on the show might be a couple of minutes but we were there for five days and I bonded with all the other contestants.
“There was no rivalry, everybody was there for a laugh. It was quite surreal when I was there to be honest.
“I didn’t think about being on TV because I was just having fun with mates, it was just like one massive stag party but without the binge drinking.”
He said he was scared about taking on the course but was now more nervous on how he would be portrayed on the show.
He added: “I’ll be watching it through my fingers.” Winter Wipeout is hosted by Richard Hammond and Amanda Byram.
The show, based on Endemol’s global format Wipeout, was launched on BBC One in January 2009 and has quickly become a favourite with Saturday night audiences - drawing up to 7.53 million viewers.
In a twist to TV’s craziest gameshow, foolhardy contestants take on the all new snow-covered course with winter-themed obstacles and seasonal challenges.
BBC One commissioned Initial, an Endemol company, to produce 12 episodes of Winter Wipeout.
Mr Glover is due to appear on screen on Saturday, January 14th at 5:35pm on BBC1.
PICTURE: Tom Glover with Winter Wipeout co-host Amanda Byram