i dont know if this has been asked before but...

The series has already been filmed 6 monhs ago right?

is there anything to stop the candidates going on these forums and posting thier twopence worth so long as they dont reveal themselves or identities?


does anyone know if any candidates are / have posted in the past or from this season?

they dont get paid until the end

paid for what?

Appearing on the show, I imagine. I know they're all trying to get a job with Sir Alan at the end of it, but they're still technically working on a TV show and should be paid as such.

but are they allowed to post about themselves, incognito


does that stop michael getting a user id "iluvms" and coming on ds to see what people have written about him?

Quite a few of them appear on the forums at http://www.theinternetforum.co.uk/ , and yes, they have confidentiality agreements.

Yeh they would have to sign gagging agreements

They can post here, and Simon has done under his own identity. They aren't supposed to say very much about the programme, though.

they don't get paid
i don't think anything stops them, however, if they get found out, it does go against their contract

oh and infact, Sir alan himself used to post in the forums in regards to sky boxes and amstrad stuff

do you think sir alan comes back on and reads what peoples opinions are? im not saying that he would be swayed by our opinions, but do you think he might have a look?

do you think any of them log on now? and read what we are saying about them? do you think they try and defend themselves, in disguise?

if Toxic Bunni wsnt such an old time poster and a regular in DSGD, id swear blind it was Michael himself... (sorry hun!)

they do get paid

The episodes were filmed last year, so even if Sir Alan does read this it can only affect the very final decision.

Most candidates do read the forums, even if they don't post. So do their families.

[LIST][*]We could leave secret messages for them... of support, love, or OTHERWISE! [/LIST]

He did used to post on here a couple of years ago, but I don't know if he still does.

It was my understanding that you can bind someone to a contract unless you pay them. When you have to sign confidentiality agreements on work placements etc it is a bit of joke because you're not getting paid - therefore that piece of paper is a bit of a frightener, if you opened your mouth there is nothing you could do about it.

I would assume, therefore, that they are being paid something, even if it's just a token amount, to ensure that they all stay quiet until the series is over.

Rule 7 on T& C of applying

You warrant and agree that you shall not be entitled to undertake any press, publicity or other discussions with any third party in connection with your application as a candidate on the Programme or any other aspect of the Programme nor shall you be entitled to enter into any commercial agreement or other agreement with any third party in connection with your application as a candidate or your appearance as a candidate in the Programme.

They do pay them the might fee of £1 ...

Terms and conditions

No 10 ....In consideration of the sum of £1 (one pound) (the receipt of which you acknowledge) you hereby with full title guarantee irrevocably assign to the Company by way of an assignment of present and future copyright, the entire copyright and all other rights, title and interest of whatsoever nature, whether vested or contingent, in and to all of the products of your services in respect of this application form, the Programme and all allied and ancillary rights in the Programme to hold the same unto the Company absolutely, throughout the universe in all languages for the full period of copyright (and all renewals, revivals, reversions and extensions thereof) and thereafter in perpetuity to the extent permitted by law.

Correct to a point.

For a contract to be valid there must be consideration on both sides.

It does not have to be money, though. Provided both sides gain something from the other that requirement for validty is satisfied.

Thus you cannot form a valid contract to give someone a sum of money for no reason as there is no consideration on one side.

You could, however form a valid contract whereby if you walk someone's dog every day for a week they will allow you to pick 10kilo of apples from their orchard.

The production company could argue that the chance for a job or the rent free accomodation constitute consideration but it is simpler to just pay each contestant a nominal sum.

oh dear, poor sophocles clan...!

Wouldn't appearing on a TV show also amount to consideration?

I'd be surprised if there isn't case law on something like "the opportunity to take part in the competition." Confidentiality agreements must be part and parcel of so many reality programs now and I can't imagine everyone who appears on them gets a fee.

I agree that all sorts of things that it could be contended to count as consideration.

However, unless there is very specific case law to support a certain contention it is far easier to pay the blighters a quid and have done with it!

That's a lot of quids for some shows. I'm thinking of stuff like The X Factor or BGT. Any entertainment lawyers about to comment?