With crew filming initial interview at La Cala viewpoint

Well the Benidorm edition of "Come Dine with Me" was aired on Friday night - and what a hoot! In case some of you didn´t watch I was the "stuck up pretentious blonde bitch" ... oh some of the comments I have read have made the experience even funnier! For those that actually know me, they too will be laughing at how I have been portrayed....

The process started back in mid May when I sent my application form off - I am an avid fan of the programme and watch the repeats every weekend. I was contacted by the company to help spread the word and advertise for applicants and joked that I was thinking of filling in a form myself! Well you could all see how it finished.

Do you wonder what really goes on behind the scenes when they make these type of programmes? The first and most important thing to get across is that its all about the editing - and those of a delicate disposition should not apply! In total 40 HOURS of film was recorded which was edited down to 47 minutes, so it is obvious that predominantly juicy and provoking comments will be left rather than the bulk - and often that is taken out of context! If not it would be a rather boring show I should think.

My lounge became the dining room for 1 night only!

I was chosen to host the first dinner party - not sure who´s decision that is. The camera crew turned up shortly after 9am.... and didn´t leave till after midnight - it really does take over your life for those 4 days. Each contestant is given a hosting budget of 140 euros to spend as we wished - you didn´t have to account for it or produce any receipts. I think that I virtually spent all of mine - not sure about the other contestants though. A little over 50 euros went on the steak (fillet) and 3 bottles of Pouilly Fume took care of another 50.... leaving the balance for the rest of my menu - at least I was planning on enjoying the experience whatever the outcome!

The crew then proceed to turn your house upside down! All windows are covered with orange plastic, which apparently gives a more flattering hue when filming. Cables are run, lights erected and suspended, furniture moved - in fact, my lounge became the dining room for the show... nothing is as it seems!  Sofa´s and side tables were moved out and the dining table and chairs moved in. My idea was to eat outside but I was told that as the light changes during the course of the evening it makes it difficult to film.

The camera crew then started to record me preparing my dishes - starting with my dessert, Tiramisu. I then prepared the vegetable parcels, cut the meat, made the sauces and can´t remember what else! They also ask you questions as you work, usually the same question a number of times... possibly because I didn´t answer it the way they wanted it answered! After I had finished they asked if they could film me driving around in the Seabring convertible car outside - so we went up towards Polop and I had to drive up and down the same stretch of road a number of times. At this point I must tell you that the car isn´t actually mine - it belongs to my friend and I am "baby sitting" it as she is abroad.

The first crew left at around 3.30pm, allowing me to go and shower and change as the other guests were scheduled to arrive by 5pm... my feet at this point were already throbbing. The second crew turned up and started to set up the cameras in the "dining room" and also outside, where we we planning on having a pre dinner drink (Lidl Cava, a bargain at 1.65 euro a bottle!)

Happy three some... until Nick arrived!

I was getting rather nervous, anticipating who would be arriving at my door. My husband and 2 children were banished from the house by this point, so went off to a local restaurant for their evening meal... they had to phone to check it was ok to come back and would be sneaked in. Knock knock... my heart was pounding as I went for the handle, pulled the door open and be faced with Gary! Oh my goodness.... what were we to do - we knew each other!!!!! But we played along and introduced ourselves, relief certainly flooding through me to have a familiar face - and the same for Gary I was to discover soon afterwards and out of camera shot! Next to arrive was Hilary, the orb lady as she was to become known and last was Nick the banker... and we all know what rhymes with that don´t we! Yes, he certainly left a lasting impression on everyone.

We eventually sat down to eat, probably at around 7.30pm. Converstion was going well.... Jim the producer would be knelt down beside the table asking us questions to direct at one another... its all rather staged at points. Before we had even finished our main course Hilary left the table, to use the toilet - or so I thought. 40 minutes later she still hadn´t returned - she was outside extremely upset at a personal remark which Nick had made to her ... which out of respect I shall not repeat. In my opinion for someone to make a nasty comment to someone that they had literally only just met showed me what sort of person he really was - and at that point yes I took a dislike to him. Did it show! She did come back in and we managed to finish the evening off. The taxi´s were waiting outside to take each contestant home at the end of the evening - and boy was I ready for bed!

Menu reveal at Villa Aitana Hotel

On each of the other 3 days I had to do the menu reveal for that evenings meal, giving my thoughts as I read it out, which again took several takes. The first location for Hilary´s evening was in the Villaitana hotel in Benidorm - an absolutely stunning backdrop - my husband drove me up. I had to make my own way to each of the menu reveal locations... luckily they were fairly local. Camera crew and lighting were set up and I found it hilarious that some guests staying at the hotel were actually taking photos of me thinking I was someone famous being filmed!

Waiting for nightfall before Orb hunting at Hilary´s

The second night was at Hilary´s... which was actually in Javea. My taxi turned up at 4.30pm and took roughly an hour to get there. I then waited in the taxi for, wait for this, for two and a half hours as they were "behind schedule"! My lovely taxi driver left the engine running for the air con as it was roasting outside, but Im sure he was panicking a bit that he´d run out of petrol! He kept phoning into the switchboard to tell them that he was still with me and had to cancel several other pick ups - at one point I spoke with his boss just incase she thought he was telling he a story - I mean, would you believe someone if they said that they had been waiting outside someones house for that length of time. I was just relieved that I had my fully charged iPad with me and that my husband had downloaded scrabble onto it - at least it kept me occupied! The other 2 boys arrived in their taxis but we couldn´t get out and chat - against the rules so we each sat in our own. I was the first to arrive but the last to go in!

With producer Jim

 As on the previous night, Nick managed to successfully upset Hilary again and was more than rude about the slide presentation which she had sent many hours preparing... absolutely no need for it. Everyone has their own opinions sure but he over stepped the mark.  I did say, that although I myself didn´t believe it her theories I admired Hilary for her passion in what she believed - but that was edited out. Having eaten the starter and main course we were then each called out individually to be interviewed in the bedroom. These interviews happened on each evening at this point and lasted on average half an hour each. You were asked your opinion about the starter and main course and also other "loaded" questions - again often repeated in different ways if you didn´t give the response they were hoping for. On this occasion my half hour was edited down to the phrase  " I didn´t like the meal very much", which I whispered. There is an awful lot of hanging around in between courses and we would spend most of the time outside.  It was so hot in the house with all the lighting and the air-con couldn´t stay on whilst recording as it was too loud.

At the end of each evening you would get into the back of a minibus taxi with the film crew and producer, very cosy is all I can say and would be asked about the dessert and our score for the evening. The taxi driver would cruise around the area whilst this was being recorded then drop us back at the house for our waiting taxi to take us home and the next contestant would get in and repeat the process.I think I got home about 1.30am absolutely knackered.

With the day film crew at Altea port

The following day my menu reveal for Gary´s night was at the harbour in Altea port. We were actually told the night before that it was a themed night and had to give our choice then. Well sheer panic set into me as the last time I did any dressing up must have been when I was about 8 for a school play! I can honestly say that I didn´t sleep that night from the stress of it - I know its all fun but its just something that Im not comfortable with. My daughter actually wanted me to go as Britney Spears, dressed as a schoolgirl - I drew the line at that! Mind you, in hindsight maybe it would have been better rather than being dressed up looking like a hooker ... especially at my age as Hilary commented, but I take no offense especially as I know how things are edited! At this stage I must point out the Madonna is actually quite a few years OLDER than me incase you are wondering!

The taxi arrived to pick me up at 5 and took me to the Old Town in Benidorm, which was packed as Spain were playing football and every bar was heaving with fans. Throughout the night we could keep a tab on the result by the cheers, or lack of and appropriate burst of fireworks - which interrupted filming. The night was an absolute blast from the minute David opened the front door in character as Miss Shape. Gary was in his element as Miss Jordan Rivers and all I can say is that there was never a dull moment throughout the entire evening - especially when Gary bent over quite early on in the evening and the zip on his dress burst but he wasn´t allowed to change!

As happened each night the producer would pick up on one incident, which happened to be the tooth picks left in my Mae West breast and it looked as if that was all I moaned about all evening! It did make me laugh to watch the finished programme and me being portrayed as some sort of "etiquette" snob - Im not at all. Yes I certainly believe in good manners but with this new found label maybe I should write a tongue in cheek book called "A Benidorm guide to Etiquette"....  I got home the earliest of all the nights as it was the closest location wise to me. I must say that considering Hilary had "the best night every" I was surprised that she marked Gary so low at 6 (I gave a 7)- I was expecting a 9 or even 10 from her... strange.

Rabbit reveal day !

The last day and the menu reveal was at my favourite restaurant, Nuevo Alcazar in La Nucia. This is where I got my starter idea from - grilled goats cheese with honey and almonds. I have it every time I go there for a meal. My daughter came and was shown the menu just before I saw it and I could tell from her horrified expression and shaking of her head to one of the researchers that it was something I wouldn´t like.... and oh boy was I right! RABBIT.... after my father killed my pet rabbit and I discovered it on a plate in the fridge when I was about 10 I have never been able to eat it. Mind you, he only killed it as it was attacking and killing all the baby bunnies, which by all accounts is normal. But I was absolutely traumatized, especially when I found the rabbit fur and since that day have never eaten rabbit - so bad choice for me Nick! 

It was another long journey as Nick´s house was all the way out in Moraira. Again I waited in the taxi outside, but this time for "only" just over an hour! Nick was certainly very smug today and absolutely convinced that he was going to win. It was the only day when I never bought a gift... I  forgot a lovely bottle of wine at home but was quite pleased really as I didn´t feel he deserved it following his nasty and rude behavior all week. I enjoyed it with my husband instead the following day! He was actually almost pleasant to all of us, but then that was tactical Im sure - but too late Nick!

Last night at Nicks

I was genuinely delighted that the best girl won.... Gary certainly deserved the honour - I was just a little disappointed that Nick and me came joint second and he didn´t come last! Poor Hilary was rather upset at coming last and I did feel for her - she regretted ever coming on the show she told me. I have kept in touch with her and obviously with Gary... in fact we met up on Friday. I bet you´re all wondering whether any of us have kept in contact with Nick - would you be at all surprised if I said no?

It was a great experience but extremely tiring and did take over your life! I wouldn´t advice anyone who is easily upset to apply for such a show - you really do need to let things wash over you. Its all about the editing as I said at the beginning.... many things you say are taken out of context. I certainly knew that would be the case, as did Gary as he has already been many television shows, as for Hilary, probably not ... we live and learn!

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