A FORMER contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has spilled the beans on what happens behind-the-scenes on the show.

Nik Bonaddio took to Quora to share a top secret rule to stop them looking fake on camera – by just being themselves and not pushing it.

Nik, who featured on the programme back in 2010, revealed how he was picked up by a "posh car" to film his episode based in New York.

He went on to detail how he and the other contestants were "briefed by the show's lawyers and producers" about how to behave on set.

The contestant joked how it was key to "not show fake enthusiasm" and therefore were given tips about being themselves.

"The producer told us above all things to not show fake enthusiasm because that was obvious, but to instead be the most entertaining version of yourself that you can be'," Nik began.

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He explained how the contestants were encouraged to not "look too awkward" while filming their waving introductions to the show.

Nik said they were also instructed on a number of rules as filming was due to kickstart, including not standing close to the host Regis Philbin.

"I remember there were a very strange set of arcane guidelines in place," he added. "Never get up from your chair before Regis, for example.

"I suppose this is because he's very short, but I just remember it being ridiculous and arbitrary. 

"Another was to raise your left hand if you're ever going to sneeze."

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Elsewhere, Nik revealed that the contestant get practice rounds in the studio in order to get to grips with how it feels to be on set before the actual competition gets underway.

"The studio is very small, much smaller than it looks on TV," he added. "I would estimate it as roughly the size of a typical fast-food dining area."

Nik walked away from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with $100,000 – an amount that he described as "life-changing".

"I received the cheque about two months later," he concluded, noting he used the money to quit his job and start his own business.

Earlier today, contestants on University Challenge spilled the beans on what goes on behind-the-scenes of the BBC Two show.

Victoria Wood was a champion back in 2002 alongside her band of teammates from Sommerville College at Oxford University.

While Ted Loveday was part of the winning team in the 2015 competition – from Gonville & Caius College at Cambridge University.

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The pair discussed how they were subjected to "frostiness" backstage from other teams before they headed out to compete.

And both revealed how they found unusual favour with the public – with Ted being spotted and asked for selfies at various events.

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