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[MSE Lawrence]

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's 'Should I do more ‘fun telly’ on top?' Blog.

Click reply to discuss below.

[d.ylan]

personally I'd suggest no. Maybe I just dont have the same sense of humour as a lot of people, but these shows always seem to be overwhelming cheese-fests of tackyness. I would give an exception for Red Nose / Children in Need, as that has some heritage and the cheese is part of the charm. Once a year is plenty! More real tv! Keep up the good, factual, work Martin

[Ivrytwr3]

some of us would kill for the opportunity, a good laugh, rub shoulders and become an even bigger celebrity and also a good chance to boost the bank balance.

Go for it!!

[opalfruits]

I would pay good money for you to appear on Strictly Come Dancing

[maidinengland]

Clearly you enjoy your job. But there's no harm in testing something outside your comfort zone. Try it. If you find it makes you happy, carry on. If you find it doesn't, go back to what you love.

[skylight]

If you touch reality TV, you will be disowned.... If you ever get that desperate for money, we'll have a whip round.

Presenting I guess is okay - get some MSE plugs in there. And you should do stuff whilst you have the opportunity. But not reality TV. Please no.

[tomstickland]

I'd suggest no. It will cause a change in image from "personal financial campaigner" to "cheap gameshow host".
Unless it was Numberwang.

[svmitche]

I would say go for it, as long as it is something you would like to do - Celebrity 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' or something, but if you turn up on 'Hole in the Wall' I shall be VERY vexed!!

[divadee]

i think you should do Strictly Come Dancing, you love dancing as you have previously stated and it would be great fun!!

I think some of the more desperate shows aka celeb big brother, im a celebrity et al should be avoided. but some of the more popular game shows like millionaire, weakest link etc.. would be good.


As for the person who said about hole in the wall i like that show

[JimmyTheWig]

Can you test the water by doing a few "guest" appearances?

I think it's a tricky one because I'm sure it would be quite fun. But I get the impression that whatever happens you want people to know you as "the MoneySaving Expert", rather than "that bloke off of xyz show". I guess it's about finding the right balance.

[adwat]

Go for it dude and don't be so self conscious!! Thanks for making me and my family more money aware, carry on the good work, but don't start taking yourself too seriously - people like good sound advice given from the heart in a well meaning way and you tick all those boxes. Why not have a bit of fun as well?

Alan

[horsechestnut]

Only if it is for charity.
You are a serious journalist. It smacks of money grabbing at all costs (think of a certain female presenter from a word programme on C4)
Please stay as the "Money Saving Expert".

[RabbitMad]

it really depends upon whether you want to be a zeleb or a serious journo.

I'm guessing its the former so go for it. I can't think of anything more money saving than eating bugs and insects while living in a tent in the jungle.

Or maybe celebrity mr and mrs?

If you want to remain serious then you could easily appear on Family Fortunes with your missus being the celeb and you being just the other half.

[Errata]

Discuss with your agent - that's what you're paying them for.

[Adasta]

My suggestions:

• Don't do any reality TV - it's terrible and you'll look "faddish"
• Don't be on a gameshow - they're all pretty bad!
• Perhaps work more as an advisor for programs like Watchdog and other shows of that ilk?

[vivatifosi]

My initial instinct was no you shouldn't. Especially having seen the wall and trying to imagine you looking all Atom Ant like Antoine du Beke at the weekend, that's so not a good look!

However, if its something that would help you maintain your integrity, and maybe raise money and raise the profile of one of the charities you support (such as millionaire) then why not?

Personally I'd like to see you on something of the Blue Peter/Newsround ilk, getting young people financially aware before they have a chance to get in financial trouble (I know, I'm a spoilsport...)

[MSE Martin]

Thank you for the comments... many of them made me smile.

I'm not planning to do any reality telly, don't worry I'm not brave enough. At the moment though I'm very very strict on things. And I have done many appearances in the past (I've been a talking head on the odd list programme and appeared on Ready Steady Cook etc)

Yet there's stuff I'd like to do - if i was asked on Millionaire for charity (i haven't been), i think that'd be fun, or something for Children in need.

If I do something, it will be within theme. I don't intend to destroy all the hard work I've put into building this site and the MoneySaving movement. It'd just be a bit of fun and hopefully generate funds for the MSE charity... but I certainly won't be eating bugs.

Martin

PS and sadly none of you will ever get to see my Topol on Stars in their eyes.

[mini]

I could see you on Have I Got News For You? Something topical, I would love to see you dance because I have only ever heard about it!

But if you were on Hole in the Wall I'd be mortified funny to watch though & you'd have to wear a lot of lycra!!!

Maybe stick with your day job, couldn't believe your recent post about your normal day, I thought you must have done a long day & I hadn't even read til lunch time.

Remember to take care of you too, you are valuable to a lot of people.

mini

[max2002ad]

Totally agree on your comments and i second the Have I got news for you idea as thats a little outside your norm but not to much

[Clowance]

surely raising your profile further amounts to free advertising for the site with people who aren't interested in financial stuff normally?
And on the reality shows (how about dancing on ice ?) it would give us all a laugh (and we would vote for you).