The ‘Spray Q&A - Debbie King From Quizmania
Then buzz it up
February 1st, 2006 at 15:30 by Stuart Heritage
Have you noticed that most of Britain has seemed a lot more grumpy and incomprehensible over the last couple of months? And have you ever wondered why? We’ve got the answer for you right here.
The answer is Quizmania - the new ITV late-night game show. Quizmania has made the nation grumpy and irritable because everyone - everyone - is staying up way past their bedtime to watch it. And, in particular, everyone is staying up to watch Debbie King, the glue that holds Quizmania together. One night she was dressed as a doctor or a nurse or something - it was late, we can’t remember - and that’s entertainment that you just can’t buy.
hecklerspray was lucky enough to catch up with Debbie King to talk Quizmania, Pink Floyd and the legal technicalities surrounding polygamy in the British Isles…
Who are you, and where are you?
I’m Debbie King, a Leeds girl who
now lives in and loves London - I am currently sitting at my computer
at 22.33 hrs writing responses to your interview and waiting for Quizmania to start at 2am.
Explain Quizmania to our readers with normal bedtimes.
It’s a
live, interactive game show, where the viewers are the contestants and
can call up and win up to £6000 by answering various popular culture
based questions. Aside from that, it is also an entertaining (we like
to think) bizarre, random and lighthearted show on which an eclectic
mix of presenters chat to callers, liaise with the crew and react to
viewer correspondence - think Tiswas for adults.
How’s Quizmania going for you? You’re the talk of the town, you know.
Really?
I didn’t know and must say I am flattered… well that depends on what
"the town" is saying about me. It’s going amazingly well - I LOVE IT -
honestly, I have been working in TV for years and this is a great
opportunity for me to be on ITV1. I love the live, spontaneous element
of the show and really am having the time of my life. I have no time
for anything else at the moment so it’s a good job I like it!
General consensus is that you’re the nice one on Quizmania, while
the two male hosts are a bit terrifying. Chuck just confuses us…
Well
again - I am flattered, and yes I try to be as nice as I can, it is
honestly such a great feeling to hear someone cheer when they win money
- I love it. I am also totally overwhelmed by the response we have
received from viewers - we get hundreds of letters and emails a day - I’ve had marriage proposals, crockery, soap, jewellery, chocolates,
nodding dogs, teddy bears, pens, cards, poems… oh yes, and a rather odd
sparkly curtain tie back?? But I do like glitter. It’s quite phenomenal
and I just really appreciate it all.
Anyway I am digressing - you
didn’t ask me this did you? (sorry!) Oh yes the boys - well, I have
to totally disagree with you - there are four boys - Greg, Nigel, Lee and
Chuck. They are all fab presenters with their own individual
personalities. Freddy Kruger is terrifying, Nigel Mitchell isn’t!! They
are funny (especially Greg) and lovely boys who are really down-to-earth blokes. As for Chuck - he is one of my best friends and I really
respect him as a presenter. Yes he is quirky, but I reckon that’s his
charm - maybe you don’t get him - but he’s a clever boy and he makes me
laugh buckets (is that a real phrase?). Anyway I like being on screen
with him cos he makes me smile. So there…..
What we like about Quizmania is the staggering level of stupidity
from some of the late night telephone contestants. What’s been your
most memorable call?
Um… the best was when we got a call from a woman who wasn’t even
watching the show - she was out of the house and had seen the show the
day before. She took it upon herself to just dial our number to see if
we were "open"! This was the conversation:
Debbie: "Hi you’re live on Quizmania, what’s your name"
Caller:"Hi, my name is X"
Debbie: "OK, what’s the answer?"
Caller: "To what?"
Debbie: "To the game - you know - what’s the answer to the anagram?"
Caller: "What game?"
Debbie: "Um… right - are you actually watching the telly?"
Caller:
"No I’m not - in fact I’m not even at home - it’s just that I saw you the
other night and am now addicted so thought I’d call to see if you were
open!"
Debbie (laughing): "Wow - well, yes we are ‘open’, and we are
making TV history - we actually have a caller who is NOT watching the
show."
Anyway as she was on the air - I explained the game to her and she won a few hundred quid! Maybe you had to be there but it was funny at the time!!
You’ve also presented serious shows as well as Quizmania. Which type of show do you prefer?
It’s
difficult to say, because I presented a serious chat show for teenagers
about four years ago where I had to study really hard before each live
show about various issues from teen pregnancy to homelessness, and so it
was a massive challenge for me. I found it rewarding, educational and
pretty full on - it really stretched me. I got to interview people like
Ken Livingstone and Glenda Jackson. However Quizmania is so much fun -
its not like work at all and I get such a natural buzz from the show,
and can really be myself, so I like it just as much. I guess the serious
stuff commanded more respect for my work and put me in a totally
different direction career-wise - however this is where I have ended up
for now, so no complaints!
Aside from Quizmania, what TV show would you like to present?
Well X Factor is my dream show - however, I am not sure that is likely.
Perhaps in the future I might be lucky enough to present a similar
talent/light entertainment show - but we will have to wait and see. I
would also love to present something like This Morning when I mature a
little, as it’s just the perfect mix of human interest and entertainment.
A woman has 5 potatoes to feed 3 children how can she give them equal portions without fractions?
Eat two herself? I mean they’re only kids they don’t need more than one each anyway.
You were in the Pink Floyd film The Wall (DVDs) as a child. Who were you in it? Any memories?
I
was a little girl (obviously!) whose Dad had gone to war - there is a
scene where my Dad comes back from war and me and my real Mum go and
great him at the train station - there is a big close up as my Mum
hands me over to him and he spins me round.
As for memories - well
all I have is that Mum went for the audition and took me with cos she
couldn’t find a babysitter… anyway, they took one look at me and said
they wanted me as well. The problem was I was very shy and didn’t want
to do it, so my Mum bribed me with a lipstick and I agreed to do it. (I was obsessed with makeup back then - I never did get the lipstick I
was promised either!)
Preach about something you love (not related to your work) in 100 words.
Listening
to LBC - honestly i have just discovered it and its so mind-numbingly
fab. I love listening to all the advice that the presenters give, even
though I can’t relate to most of the problems - cos they involve divorce,
having babies, which schools to send the kids to and haemorrhoids -
all of which I am yet to experience. However it’s such fun, and for some
reason is totally addictive and soothing – try it and you will never look
back. The end - quite frankly I have nothing else to say on the matter so
I hope I have inspired you all.
What do you do to relax?
Sleep, take hot baths, go to the cinema
in a tracksuit, eat, hang with friends, and the best thing is place a
hot cup of tea under your eyes and it’s really soothing! (be careful not
to spill the tea… not good.)
We hear you’re a genius at making pineapple upside down cakes. What’s your secret?
Its
all in the wrist action - you have to put the right amount of golden
syrup over the pineapple rings by controlling the spoon!! Enough said.
Will you marry us?
How many of you is "us"? I might get arrested - polygamy is illegal, isn’t it?
Go on, we’re really nice.
Can you cook?
Will you mention hecklerspray on Quizmania instead, then?
Maybe - what will you do in return?
What are you going to do right now?
Spell check this….then do a show. Oh the life of a Quizmania presenter - honestly, I need to get out more…
Quizmania is on ITV1 all the time when you should probably really be in bed - check newspapers for listings. Find out more about Debbie King at DebbieKing.co.uk
[interview by Stuart Heritage]
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February 1st, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Nice Blog
http://www.FriendsterForum.com
February 4th, 2006 at 11:49 am
I have been watching quizmania since it launched on ITV1. I am addicted and love that Debbie King. She is clever, funny and always so awake at 3am! Would love to see you doing X Factor- Go ON Debbie!!!
February 4th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
Debbie king has brought life and joy into our home, her warmth and charm is second to none. Thankyou Debbie for Quizmania!! we love it and you.
February 6th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Debbie King is the sexiest lovliest girl, fresh and sexy, stunning and sweet. Please put her on earlier so I can get some sleep!!
Long live QUIZMANIA fROM cy
February 13th, 2006 at 4:23 am
hello deb its tom form bristol i want to say u got sexy eyes and u are fit
love
tom
February 13th, 2006 at 11:51 am
Debbie-i am yor rrrr pimp
February 14th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
hEY DEBBIE
what happened to your nodding debbie …i finally tracked one down to http://www.noddingtoys.co.uk but she looked so cute next to you and I got one for the wife to
Davie
February 15th, 2006 at 3:52 am
Debbie is well fit
February 15th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
hey darlin how r u ? im ok and btw (by the way) im oly 13 years old and i think ur an angel on QM if i was older i wood ask u and i love u xxx
February 16th, 2006 at 4:25 am
Hey babe i lv watchin u on quizmania oh yeah and flash lol hes cool
anyway r u single plz marry me
plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
and debbie plz can u read this message out on quizmania becoz i neva had anything read out by me b4
and i would feel really happy if u do it thanks xxxxxxxxxx
lv marcus x
February 16th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
hi deb i think u are gorgeous want to meet up
February 19th, 2006 at 4:35 am
i never get thru on this crabby show! waste of bloody money
February 21st, 2006 at 10:24 am
hi debbie i just wanna say you look so sexy every time you are on air and please will you marry me and can i have a picture of please
Aaron Brown
MY ADDRESS IS 21 OVERTON CRESCENT LEIGH PARK HAVANT HANTS
PO9 4QH
February 21st, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Hi all at quizmania, loving the show especially debby king, she makes me and my girlfreind laugh as she always wears basque type tops. could you say hi to my girlfreind lauren as she is 3 months pregnant and feeling a bit down
February 22nd, 2006 at 10:55 pm
hi debbie
just thought id send you a mess.to let you know i do watch your show and think yourself and greggles is the best and very funny.
its unfortunate that ive never bin able to get through i just get there is high demand for this number please try later uve not bin charged for this call or i dont get through
i call every night
but i continue watchin
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:14 am
hi quizmania can u say hi to ray and scotty in peterlee co.durham
and to say i het nuwcastle football club plz
February 24th, 2006 at 12:55 am
she is fit debbie king
February 24th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Hi debbie,my name is rebecca even though i am only 16 i throughly enjoy watching quizmania.It is really good and its a good programme to watch if you aren’t tired especially as it gets your brain into gear.
Please could you tell the camera man who wore a pink hat that was to small for him on the sporting night when footballers wives had started that i think he is gorgeous.
Debbie i also liked the pink ra-ra skirt you wore on the sport evening it was really nice.where did you get it from as i would like to purchase one
February 24th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
Hi Debs - could you tell me what the top answer of sporting heroes was last night. I couldnt wait up any longer to find out !!
February 25th, 2006 at 2:00 am
Debbie you are so amazingly fit, me and my mates gav and henny love watching you on the big QM, even though two of us have girlfriends your the one we really want. cant wait till one day we can meet you and make you ours.
Love Russell, Gav, Henny
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
February 25th, 2006 at 2:22 am
quizmania sucks
February 25th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
Great interview. It’s good to see all the quizmaniacs about
February 26th, 2006 at 1:35 am
debs you are so hat will u flash your knickers please. lol oj but if u could it would fill my night with joy
February 26th, 2006 at 1:48 am
Debbie you are the sexiest girl on television at the moment. Does lottie still present on quizmania.
February 26th, 2006 at 1:50 am
Quizmania is such crap, da best itv could come up with eh? Absurdly impossible to get through and debbie king aint that fit.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:00 am
hi i’m so flattered about all your nice comments but unfortunately i actually don’t have sex with men because i have no vagina
February 26th, 2006 at 2:04 am
debbie rocks
February 27th, 2006 at 2:15 am
Quizmania is becoming a national obsession! And its mostly down to Debbie King. To be honest I watch it because I find Chuck amazingly funny! If you love it as much as me check out my Quizmania devoted forum!
February 28th, 2006 at 4:08 am
Yeh lovin quizmania atm! I never use to like Greggles but hes actually quite a funny fella! Debbie - one of the fittest women on TV at the moment! Keep it up!
March 1st, 2006 at 10:44 am
get back to work lovie!!!
March 1st, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Just love the show, especially GREGGLES!! He’s my ideal man (a funny one!)I don’t want a good looking dude, Greg should have his own prime-time show, - like many people, I’m sooooo tired, ‘cos if I see Greggles appear, I HAVE to watch.Take no notice of that Scott Mills, I nearly fall out of bed laughing when Greg falls over, or puts squirty cream into his mouth.
Also like Chuck and Lee. Love Sylvia xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
March 2nd, 2006 at 3:12 am
Debbie your sexy, when i saw you on qiuzmania i thought wow she’s an angel, i think im gonna watch it every day now….. bye xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
p.s will u marry me sexy
March 2nd, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Debbie is a bleach blonde who is sooooooooo very fake!
Everything about it is fake, she’s just lapping it up…!
March 2nd, 2006 at 7:08 pm
hi debbi just to say you are the best on qm can you say hello to ian and charlotte and blow a kiss to ian than you
March 6th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
hi quizmania just here to say hi, great show,been watching since the begginning (last year). lots of fun
QUEEN LEE…
March 6th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
hello beautiful
your brilliant keep up the good work.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
hey debbie man u beautiful im not a lesbian but i really think u blessed wif ur beauty ,there is one thin i eally wonder did u have a nose job, surgery o sumin but u still a beauty ,didnt mean to be rude about ur nose i was just wondering plz reply
March 8th, 2006 at 1:55 am
Hi Debbie, watching your show now your are really sweat and look hot love you loadz x x x mickeyb!
March 8th, 2006 at 7:29 am
Debbie aint fake and as
an exec prod i may have
some mainstream tv jobs
soon fo her.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:50 am
we love u debbie we do!, me and my misses think u r amaizn, u r a great presenter and ova buff! u keep us entertained all night long, by the way love the corsets!
MWAH xxxxxxxxxxx
March 11th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Hey u Quizmania crew!!!
Wud u do me a favour Deb’s pleeeease? and say hello to Minnie in Ross-on-Wye 4 me. I know she’ll be watching the show until 5am, even thou she denies it!!
CHEERS CHICK xx
March 13th, 2006 at 12:30 am
hi debbie i watch quizmaina every night manily to see u on it but ur not on it everynight but u sud cuz ur stunning hope u can read this out some time ps please please do ur amazin dance love saulxxxxxx
March 18th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Hi. Quizmania is a nice little show and Debs and Lee are nice and Greggles is Funny and the Best on it. i rarely larf or stay up that late, but have done since seeing the show now a few times. But it is on a bit Long!!
March 19th, 2006 at 2:01 am
this show is great to watch, hope its around for years to come,and a special hello to the sexy Debbie King.xxxxxxxxx
March 19th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
hey debbie
could u please send me a pic of flash as me and my m8s think hes well fit
kymz_ere@hotmail.com
thanx
kym
p.s quizmania is wkd ive watched it since it was launched
March 20th, 2006 at 1:47 am
HELLLOOO
March 21st, 2006 at 1:23 am
she so sweet she so fine oh debbie dear will u b mine x x x i love u so so so so much x x x
March 21st, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Debbie has such a FANTASTIC FIGURE and a SUNNY SMILE and is a CURVY CRACKER and is a SEXY YOUNG LADY !
March 23rd, 2006 at 3:42 pm
hiya to everyone at quizmania we love the show and i think debbie king is hot my girlfriend thinks lee baldry is lush lots of love anthony seed ,clare whitton from washington tyne & wear
March 23rd, 2006 at 5:18 pm
hi debbie u are really sexy are u tanned allover and are u shaved down below
March 24th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
hi all at quizmania.
i like watching ur show every nite, although i can’t fone in.
i think debbie king is the hottest presenter i ever saw. i do also like greg, he’s kool and so funny so a big yacabacackers to u greg. and Flash, wot can i say u are so kool and funny in ur own way. i’d also like to say a big hello to jess on camera.
keep going with a good show, love it very much.
March 27th, 2006 at 2:56 am
What a nose! I’ve found this nose SO DISTURBING that I had to Google it and what do you know I jump straight to a page mentioning Debbies nose. I’d have stayed in bed but she just read an email from somebody who “saw a load of fruit running down a hill and thought of her shiny face”. I feel sorry for the fruit!
April 2nd, 2006 at 6:20 pm
leave her nose alone, its cute! debbie i love u and want to see ure pants!
we will get married and hav 34 children, love mark xxxxxxxx
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:04 am
Hiya, I really loved Quizmania when it was on ITV1. I’m an insomniac so it was a great way of passing the time. unfortunately it’s moved over to ITV2, just when I really started to get into it. Put it back on ITV1 pretty pweeease!