What do the contestants actually do during the adverts?

[Jimmy Gough]

I was just wondering what actually happens in the intervals. I hope I'm not being stupid, but I was just wondering whether the contestants have a little chat with Des, Carol, Susie, etc. or just sort of sit there....?

[Jon O'Neill]

The breaks are a lot shorter in reality, about one minute, and usually the make-up people come to do some touching up. Apart from that, general chit-chat to eachother or a presenter if they're interested. There's not a lot of thumb-twiddling that I experienced or have seen.

[Charlie Reams]

There's much more hanging around immediately before the programme. The adverts fly by; you have just enough time for a non-smug sip of water and a quick chat to the guest before it's back to business.

[David O'Donnell]

Having my bald pate touched up and getting slagged off by the guy who brings the water for getting through about 4 litres a show.

[Jason Larsen]

Talking is a lot of fun, though!

[Ian Volante]

Got blanked by Martin Jarvis and had a natter with Barry Cryer and Susie, depending on the week.

[Martin Gardner]

Linda Smith (now deceased) was really nice, we used to have a good chat in the ad breaks. I wasn't so taken by Ken Bruce and for Clare Balding and Geoffrey Durham, I only had one show with them. Odd to think of the few people on screen in my first three shows, two of them are dead...