Proof Strictly is the most brutal contest on TV? How other reality shows such as The Apprentice and Bake Off use off-screen tricks to help contestants

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When a contestant excels on a reality show - often under nerve-shredding pressure, it's the kind of TV gold producers dream about.

Viewers are hooked, having invested hours watching the unknowns who appear on shows such as BBC's MasterChef and The Apprentice, and the famous faces try their hand at something many people can't do - dance, or even harder, Dance on Ice. 

However, for the drama - often dubbed the 'journey' - to unfold perfectly on screen, there's a multitude of behind-the-scenes tips and tricks that help contestants soar, whether they're making a Bake Off Showstopper, or bringing in the money on a commercial challenge set by Lord Sugar.

As the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing storm has proved, if things aren't right off-screen, then things can quickly go wrong on screen. 

Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series. 

The Strictly Come Dancing scandal has seen gruelling training techniques exposed with damaging consequences for the show - including Graziano Di Prima being axed this week over his behaviour towards celebrity partner Zara McDermott

This week, Zara told her followers on social media that  her 'experience inside the training room' at Strictly was 'very different' to what viewers see on screen 

It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended for off-camera misconduct. 

 So, how do some of the TV companies behind out favourite UK reality shows strive to help contestants soar - and be happy? 

Here, MailOnline picks some of the biggest programmes and looks at their off-camera tricks that help create the on-screen drama we love...   

The Apprentice: How Karren Brady 'has contestants' backs' 

Before the hit BBC One show even begins, the audition process on The Apprentice is gruelling - with would-be contestants facing a full day of final auditions with multiple challenges to overcome before a place on the show is won. 

And those who've made it on the entrepreneurial programme, which has been on screens for nearly 20 years, have been honest about the tricks used behind the scenes to make it an addictive watch. 

Karren Brady may come across cool as ice on TV, but The Apprentice judge, Lord Sugar's sidekick, has often been praised by contestants for being supportive off screen, a theme that's common across reality shows, from Bake Off to MasterChef

Scottish entrepreneur Reece Donnelly, 27, has shared some behind-the-scenes secrets exclusively with MailOnline - ahead of the new series airing

Scottish entrepreneur Reece Donnelly lifted the lid on his appearance in the last series, which he eventually left on health grounds, saying that everything from what contestants eat to what they wear is gently steered in the right direction by production staff - to ensure things run smoothly.  

And despite their steely on-screen demeanour, Lord Sugar and his sidekick Karren Brady are much more personable in real life, Donnelly also said.  

Of Lord Sugar, he said: 'I take my hat off to him, he really shows up.' And Karren? 

'Karen for me is an absolute grafter and a force to be reckoned with. I loved working with her, she saved my ar*e on several occasions to tell you the truth. So I think in that retrospect, she looks after the candidate, she's got your back.'

The businesswomen, 54, joined the hit BBC show in 2010 and has since been an aide for Lord Sugar alongside Tim Campbell for 13 years.

Brady herself has spoken about The Apprentice support network to The Mirror earlier this year; she said: 'We all have to support each other through the highs and lows of filming'

Karren herself has revealed that everyone involved in the series, including Lord Sugar are extremely supporting of one another especially on the long travel and filming days. 

Speaking to The Mirror earlier this year, she said: 'We all have to support each other through the highs and lows of filming because you get them and when it is literally unrelenting at the time, and when you get sick or you don't feel very well you need to rely on each other to help you through. From that point of view, it's a real privilege.

Race Across the World: Secret hotels, follow cars and one medic per team of two

The BBC travel reality show Race Across The World has gripped viewers since it first began in 2019. 

Teams of two are tasked with travelling independently with no mobile phone and a set amount of money via a series of checkpoints to a final far-flung destination - with sleeping on buses, eating street food and taking random jobs to earn more money all compelling viewing.

Alfie and Owen proved victorious in the latest series of Race Across the World, the BBC show which challenges pairs of contestants to reach a far-off destination with little help - but Alfie revealed after the show that there was access to some hotels during filming 

However, while on-screen the challenge appears undoubtedly tough, previous contestants and crew members have lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes secrets that make it possible for the show to happen.

Series four winner Alfie, 20, confirmed that the teams can stay in 'secret hotels' for up to two days at each checkpoint - which isn't aired during the episodes.

Alfie spilled the gossip in a Facebook group dedicated to the show, revealing that they had to stay in the hotel for 'safety reasons'.  

He said: 'It does change depending on finishing times to make sure nobody leaves at an utterly ridiculous time - mainly for safety'.

Teams are allowed to stay in hotels for up to two days at each checkpoint, which viewers don't see on screen - with the BBC offering the accommodation to ensure contestant safety

Meanwhile, series two contestant Jen, who took part with her husband Rob, also revealed the teams are accompanied by members of the crew at all times.

While she insisted there 'isn't much viewers don't get to see', the two producers who travel with the teams aren't revealed to viewers on screen.

Jen also revealed that there is a 'local fixer' and a medic travelling about an hour behind them in case of an emergency.

She told the i: 'You are always with two crew members and a medic, with a local fixer close behind. The crew really don't contribute, despite what people think – however nonsensical our decisions might be.' 

The  Masked Singer: Access to a crack team of top vocal coaches

Performing if you can't sing isn't easy - but those who do on The Masked Singer UK can have their natural voices honed by a professional before they face the audience

While a host of famous singers have now graced The Masked Singer UK's stage, there's plenty of celebrities who've donned the restrictive outlandish costumes who struggle to hold a tune. 

The hit show, which orginated in the US, sees judges Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan trying to guess who's in the costume while they're singing - with Joel Dommett as host.

For those who can't sing, there's a team of vocal coaches on the show who will help them get through a song to the best of their ability. 

Joel Dommett, the show's UK host, revealed that everything is done behind the scenes to ensure the secret of who the Masked Singer is isn't discovered  

The show, recorded a year in advance at a converted RAF airfield in Hemel Hempstead, goes to great lengths to help stars keep their identities under wraps, with Dommett revealing last year that the studio audience is forced to leave at the moment of the big reveal, so they don't know the outcome until they watch at home. 

Those appearing in the audience must also sign a non-disclosure agreement and hand in their phones to ensure the show is kept under wraps until it airs. 

MasterChef: A secret wine fridge to relax stressed out cooks - and lots of expert tips from the judges 

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Zara McDermott breaks her silence on Graziano Di Prima's Strictly sacking

There's a reason MasterChef's more than 30 years old; it's tantalising viewing, watching to see if a home cook can cut the mustard under studio lights and with the world's top chefs - and current judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode - tasting their food. 

And while the show is, by all accounts, just as stressful as it looks from your armchair, there's plenty of willing on off-camera of the contestants to do well. 

Ahead of the culinary creations, contestants are, reports the Telegraph, allowed to access a backstage wine fridge should they need a little nerve-settler while waiting for cameras to roll. 

Torode and Wallace play a supportive role too, and will often taste dishes mid cooking, before they go cold at the plating up stage, to ensure they fully appreciate the dish being conjured up.  

The MasterChef kitchen appears a hugely stressful environment on screen - and it is, by all accounts, but contestants are looked after, with The Telegraph reporting access to a 'secret wine fridge' for those who need to still their nerves  

Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace have been at the show's helm since 2005, and will offer tips to stressed out contestants to keep them on track - something that's not widely seen on screen  

On MasterChef: The Professionals, the Skills test is enough to bring viewers out in a cold sweat, let alone the chefs actually performing it. 

Within a short space of time, with an unseen set of ingredients, pro cooks have to create a dish as Marcus Wareing might, with Marcus Wareing watching. 

However, the judges are apparently much nicer than they appear in the final cut, with occasional friendly tips handed over to particularly panicked pros to stop them having a total melt-down. 

Ahead of the latest series, Gregg Wallace revealed how it often becomes a masterclass from the judges, saying: 'Their skills are just incredible so it’s a real honour and a privilege, and they really love teaching.' 

The Great British Bake Off: Practise (off-screen) makes perfect - and judges bringing the fun

Matty Edgell, who won last year's The Great British Bake Off, was, like other contestants, allowed to perfect his winning dishes at home in advance 

One of the biggest TV successes in recent decades, The Great British Bake Off has seen amateur bakers produce stunning creations in the hothouse that is the Bake Off tent. 

This year's show is currently being filmed - with contestants cooking up creations for judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood over a ten week period that ends in August, ahead of the latest series airing later this year. 

It's certainly not a secret - contestants have mentioned it on the show - but there's plenty of home prep to polish creations, with those participating allowed to perfect their cakes as many times as they like - and practise often makes perfect  on screen.

Judges, often the harshest critics on screen, are supportive when the days ends, with former contestant Michael Chakraverty once revealing that Paul Hollywood hosted pizza nights for those on the show, with host Noel Fielding apparently also staging his own 'indie' nights to keep spirits high. 

Putting the fun into Bake Off: Paul Hollywood has hosted pizza nights and Noel Fielding has been behind 'indie' fun events for contestants - to ensure they're having fun, and producing their best bakes 

2021 Great British Bake Off star Amanda Georgiou has spoken in the past of the huge amounts of money bakers dish out while appearing on the show

And the bakers aren't going in blind: the show's food technicians test everything contestants are asked to do is actually achievable in the time limit - with exactly the right amount of ingredients packaged up and presented to them too.

Contestants go all out to succeed too. Ex Bake Off star Amanda Georgiou spoke of the huge amounts of money bakers dish out while appearing on the show.

The former contestant - who appeared on the 2021 series and was eliminated in week six - said she had hundreds of eggs and a huge selection of ingredients, as well as pots, pans and expensive tins in reserve so she could reach her full potential while filming, while speaking out about the behind-the-scenes secrets.

Dancing on Ice: Blankets, intense training sessions and pro grips

Perhaps the hardest of all the 'learn a skill an excel' reality shows, ITV's Dancing on Ice puts celebrity bambis on the rink and then spends weeks trying to turn them into figure skaters. 

You don't get good in a heartbeat essentially and training sessions are long and daily. Pro skater Mark Hanretty and the show's creative director Dan Whiston revealed in 2023 that celebrities will spend hours in the rink off screen to ensure they're ready to face a TV audience.

Training is everything on Dancing on Ice, with contestants sometimes putting in five to six hours a day with experts to get themselves on the TV rink. Pictured: Ryan Thomas and Amani Fancy during the Bolero in March this year

Snug: Dancing On Ice's panel of judges  and contestants are given blankets to keep warm while the show takes place 

Speaking to OK! magazine, they estimated that contestants spend two or three hours each day learning and practicing on the rink for their performance at the end of the week, running through the finished article just a handful of times before ITV's live show.

Mark added that time spent on the ice rink is doubled off it.

He said that couples use the time off the rink to practice their routine and the lifts they have planned without the 'exhausting' pressure of focusing on how to skate safely. 

And there's access to pro skating devices too, including using a spray which gives stars a firmer grip. Slippy hands are a particular risk when lifts are involved, with the creative director adding that there is a ban on lotions or products like moisturiser or shimmer to guard against any accidents.