The game show,

Although in this case I had no idea how it was going to go down and felt I might have already worked out how it was going to go down before I did it.

After a few more words with each other there wasn't much response other than. Thanks James I'd like to thank you for your time and we will be in touch.

Leaving the building the seats were all empty and in my head I knew my share of $500,000 was gone.

5 weeks passed and another email came in, I opened it and saw the first few words. "Hi James, I'd like to thank you for applying..........."

I didn't need to read the next part so quickly got on with my work and planning the leave I wanted to take for the remainder of the year.

Another couple of days passed and another email came in.

"Hi James, Could you please reply to the previous message, We need to know by 5pm today and how to progress"

I was a little unsure and knew I needed to read the email again.

Hi James, I'd like to thank you for applying for our new tv show, we would like to advise we all liked what we saw from your application, interview and the surprising party trick.

If you would like to accept the chance to take part in the tv show we would require you to meet us at JFK airport on the 14th Feb at 9am. From there we will fly you to Mexico and you will spend 3 weeks on location filming, One week is optional to stay in a 5 start hotel after for recuperation. Then return to JFK.

Could you please send your passport details and advise if you would like to take part."

Without thinking I got my passport out sent the details and replied with all details along with advising I would take part. I also called my work and asked for the time off. It didn't go down to well and I was told I'd be lucky to come back to a job and the leave I would take would be unpaid.

The couple of weeks flew in, every night after work I was out buying something for the up-and-coming show, New shorts, shirts, shoes etc, I didn't feel i could go on one of these things in my 2-year-old trainers and normal jeans t-shirt combos.