A bookseller from Douglas is to appear on screen for the popular TV game show The Chase.

Jeff Hodson, who works at Waterstones in Strand Street as a lead bookseller, has gone head to head with one of the quizmasters of the ITV programme hosted by comedian Bradley Walsh.

The 21-year-old told the Manx Independent that it all started with a dare by his sister, Charlotte. ’A local social media page announced that there were auditions happening on the island and she tagged me in it daring me to have a go,’ he said.

’A few auditions and nine months on and suddenly I’m being asked to come in for filming!’

In the game, four contestants play against a professional quizzer known as a ’chaser’ who tries to stop them from winning a cash prize.

Each contestant faces the Chaser individually to gain money for a collective pot by answering questions correctly.

Those who beat the Chaser in the individual round then compete against the Chaser collectively to try and win the money by getting more answers correct within the time limit.

When asked what made him accept his sister’s dare, he replied: ’I think I have a lot of useless background knowledge that wouldn’t help me anywhere except a quiz.

’One of the most famous quizzes on TV didn’t seem like a bad place to start.’

To prepare for the big quiz he spent a lot of time on quiz apps, watching previous episodes of the show and having his family test out his knowledge.

Filming took place in London last month.

He said he felt ’extremely nervous, but more excited’ in the run up to the show.

’That is, until I got into the studio and floor felt like it dropped out from under me. Seeing your name in lights is a surreal experience,’ he added.

The programme is due to be aired next year but Jeff has not been given the exact date. He will be contacted beforehand.

He was unable to say how he got on, saying: ’’We’ll have to wait and see how I did, I’m afraid.’