How to Apply for Reality TV Shows in the UK

The Traitors, Geordie Shore, I Kissed a Boy, and The Great Pottery Throw Down are all branches of the sprawling reality-show tree, so it’s a broad genre with plenty of opportunities for new talent. There’s no script in these shows, so you’ll be playing yourself – or at least a version of yourself.

Reality TV is usually heavily produced, with programme-makers structuring and intervening throughout the production process. Former Made in Chelsea cast member Cheska Hull told Grazia how it worked. “You knew the conversations you had to have.… The producers spoke to us on the phone for hours every week. They’d come on nights out with us. They put us in situations that created drama.” 

Reality stars may start off as “ordinary people,” but ordinary is subjective. Would you say Love Island’s Tommy Fury, The Only Way Is Essex’s Gemma Collins, or The X Factor’s Harry Styles are run of the mill? Probably not, but they all found fame being their normal selves on reality shows.

First things first: You need to identify which reality show – or type of reality show – you want to apply for. Some programmes require very specific skills. There’s no point trying to get cast on The Piano if you can’t even play the ol’ school favourite Chopsticks. If you’re not up for snogging in your swimming cossie on national TV, then Love Island may not be for you. But if you enjoy being an armchair commentator – hello, Gogglebox! 

Think carefully about what show to apply for and whether you’ve got what they want. Choose a show that aligns with your own talents and strengths. Here’s a handy list of some of the UK’s top reality shows.

Contests 

Competition formats in which there are very clear winners and losers.

• The Traitors (BBC)
• The Apprentice (BBC)
• Race Across the World (BBC)
• Tempting Fortune (Channel 4)
• Hunted (Channel 4)
• Come Dine With Me (Channel 4)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (BBC)
• SAS: Who Dares Wins (Channel 4)

Skills-based 

Niche reality shows in which participants show off a particular talent.

• Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star (BBC)
• The Voice UK (ITV)
• Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
• The Great British Bake Off (Channel 4)
• The Great Pottery Throw Down (Channel 4)
• The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC)
• MasterChef (BBC)
• The Piano (Channel 4)
• Interior Design Masters (BBC)

Romance and drama 

Want to find love (or at least get a date)? Try one of these.

• First Dates (Channel 4)
• Love Island (ITV)
• Naked Attraction (Channel 4)
• Love Is Blind UK (Netflix)
• Too Hot to Handle (Netflix)
• I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl (BBC)
• Virgin Island (Channel 4)

Structured reality 

Cameras follow the lives, loves, and bust-ups of ordinary people.

• Made in Chelsea (Channel 4)
• The Only Way Is Essex (ITV)
• Geordie Shore (C5)

Other 

• Gogglebox (Channel 4)
• Big Brother (ITV)

Why do you want to go on TV? Are you doing it for fun, or is it part of your wider career strategy? No one objects to ambition, but producers may not respond positively to someone who is solely using their show to get rich and famous. Reality stars are often called out by their fellow contestants for going on the show for the wrong reason. Think about your motivations and how you may present them.

Plenty of people find fame and fortune on these shows, but plenty of people don’t. For every Molly-Mae Hague or Pete Wicks, there’s a reality show cast member whose phone didn’t ring when filming stopped and who had to go back to their real life. 

You also need to be certain you’re comfortable with the kind of scrutiny and pressure that comes with being a reality TV star. Are you ready and willing for that kind of exposure?

Now that you’ve identified why you want to apply, it’s time to think about what these shows are looking for from contestants. Casting producers often will go for participants who are charismatic, dramatic, or have strong online presences. They prefer all three. 

Think about the people who have been cast on the show in the past. What was it about them that you enjoyed watching? What makes a watchable reality star? Prepare to answer the question: What makes you special? Be confident and honest – and, most importantly, be yourself!

While different shows have different ways in, there are routes all good casting directors will use to find potential reality stars. 

Your social media 

Casting teams often scout for talent on social media. Love Island’s Maura Higgins, for example, was first contacted via Instagram. Producers are usually looking for personality, charisma, and plenty of followers. Remember: Authenticity is important in reality shows. Audiences can spot fakeness a mile off, so try to present the very best version of the real you. Clean up any posts you’re not sure of and emphasise the content that will reel in those telly types. 

Their social media 

Social media casting is a two-way street. At the end of every programme, check the credits to find out who the casting directors are and which company makes the show. Then have a look at what they’re posting. Draw their attention to your posts by tagging them and using hashtags such as #realitytv, #tvshows, and #realitystar. 

Some producers are direct. If you want to be on The Only Way Is Essex, for example, producers Lime Pictures want to hear from you. Their Instagram page even offers an email address and WhatsApp number (074 6658 5112)!

The show’s website 

Most reality shows have their own website, on which they will announce casting calls and provide application details. Many TV companies or channels also have general pages for potential participants. Below are a few examples.

• Love Island
• Netflix Reality 
• BBC
• ITV
• The Traitors
• Virgin Island
• The Apprentice 
• Big Brother
• Four in a Bed
• Love Is Blind UK 
• Race Around the World 
• Love Productions (maker of skills-based shows The Piano, Bake Off, and Sewing Bee, among others)

Casting websites

Keep an eye on casting pages, many of which have a section dedicated to reality TV listings. Find out as much as you can about the show you’re aiming for, and watch past series. The more familiar you are with the product, the greater your chances.

You’ll probably have to submit a self-tape at some stage of the process. Keep it upbeat and full of personality. Natural charisma is key. Remember: If you’ve got this far, the producers liked something in your application – so be confident, charming, and yourself. 

Talk about your life, why you want to be on the show, and why they’d be mad not to pick you. Have a couple of quirky real-life stories or anecdotes up your sleeve. Keep it short and snappy, and don’t read from any notes – however tempting. To make sure you look as good as possible, shoot it in good, natural lighting against a simple background, and make sure there’s no background noise. Be sure to get the tone of the show right too – flirty and fun vibes for Love Island or headstrong and business-minded for The Apprentice.

Casting can be a long process, so you’ll need to be flexible and patient. Don’t be disheartened if you’re not instantly cast. You may be too much like a past participant or not a good fit for that particular season. You never know what will happen in the long run. People may drop out or new cast members may be asked to join in the middle of the run.

So get out there, and good luck!