Claire Tidy for Destination X UK season one / BBC
Age: 51
Occupation: Retired Detective Sergeant
From: West Sussex
How did you prepare yourself mentally and physically to take part?
“I’ve been looking at a lot of geography because I left school years ago. Things like maps and flags. I’m quite well travelled and have been doing some driving jobs for friends all around Europe recently so I look at all the number plates. I’ve been trying to find things that identify where I am and I like testing myself. Physically, I’ve got a residual level of fitness from the army and police.”
How far would you go to win the £100k and what would you spend it on?
“I’m a nice person, I’m not horrible to anybody but it’s the name of the game, isn’t it? So if I’ve got to double cross somebody to get what I want or to get myself further along I will. It might feel a bit uncomfortable, but they’re going to be doing it to me. I don’t really care about the money. It might pay my mortgage off but life’s for living, isn’t it? If I can use that money to make my life better I will. I love traveling and thought that if I did win, I’d like to do the whole journey again but in real time and actually take it in as a trip.”
What assumptions will other players make about you?
“They might think I’m massively confident because I can be lary. Or they might think I’m really good at riddles and clues. But the key thing about the army and the police is your communication skills. They get you everywhere in life in general. It’s not just about being good at investigating, you need to know how to communicate and listen, ask the right questions, how to come across and how to find out answers.”
Do you have a strategy for how you are going to play the game?
“I’m just going to listen and look at what everyone else is doing and saying. I’m not going to go in all guns blazing. I’m not sure I’ll show all my personality at once. I’ll be my friendly self but I might not tell people that I’m a police officer. It won’t be a secret, but I will have to hold a little bit back.”
Destination X continues Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One.
