If you watch television, you may well recognise this man.
A TV devotee, Paul Wilder has spent the past 20 years searching for on-screen fame, appearing on some of the UK’s top programmes including EastEnders, The Bill and several game shows, working with Jonathan Ross, Des O’Connor and Jerry Springer in the process.
The 54 year-old has now chronicled his journey in his debut book. Appropriately titled My Quest For TV Fame (SMP Publishers), it follows his varied experiences including his walk-on part on a cliff-hanger EastEnders episode and befriending The Krankies in Israel, proving that “anyone can appear on their favourite TV show”.
He tells People: “It all started when my daughter was born 22 years ago. I was at home watching the game show Every Second Counts and they said they were looking for couples to take part. My wife and I applied and got through. It then sort of snowballed from there.”
The highlight? “Being a walk-on at the end of an EastEnders episode. It was one of those “duh, duh, duh” moments. The scene was with Minty and Heath and I was the photographer in Minty’s flat. This was my finest, most prolific moment.”
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