THE owner of a Northumberland restaurant had an 'amazing' experience filming a Channel 4 show with presenter Alan Carr.
Secret Genius, presented by comedian Alan Carr and lexicographer Susie Dent, is airing on Channel 4.
The show involves uncovering the hidden potential in ordinary people with 'extraordinary minds', with contestants tackling 'epic intelligence games'.
Selena Alton, owner of Stalida Greek Taverna in Hexham, will appear in the semi-final this weekend with 11 fellow contestants, and said she has had an 'exciting' experience in the show so far.
She applied to the show after her mum saw the advert on social media and thought Selena would be a perfect fit.
Selena studied English Literature at university before travelling and living in Greece, where she met her husband, Billy.
Since participating in Secret Genius, she gained the confidence to apply for a second degree in Computer Science and AI with the Open University.
"It's come at a time in my life when my twin sons have both just left for university, so although I'm very busy running the family restaurant here in Hexham with my husband, I was ready to do something interesting for myself," the 44-year-old said.
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"I also have noticed the way people sometimes underestimate someone who works in certain jobs, like hospitality. I was always top of the class at school, but life came along and the children and the business, and so I put some things on hold.
"The experience itself has been amazing. Testing my IQ on the games was really engaging, but it's not so much about it being a competition; it was about meeting like-minded people from all sorts of backgrounds and parts of the country.
"We've really discovered our tribe and all kept in touch after the show. And of course filming with Alan Carr straight after he'd come from filming Celebrity Traitors, and the wonderful Susie Dent, was great fun," Selena added.
She said she was happy not to be eliminated after the first game, so she was thrilled to make it to the final 12.
She added: "What I hope people take away from the show is that anyone could have a high IQ, and if you've got a suspicion you might be one of the many secret geniuses watching the programme, have a look at the Mensa test, and you might surprise yourself and other people who know you. And never underestimate your waitress."
The next episode of Secret Genius will air on Channel 4 on Sunday, February 22 at 9pm, and the final will take place at the same time the following Sunday.
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