"I'VE ALWAYS ADMIRED HIS BEARD"

The doors of the Ark swung firmly shut at the end of February as applications for one of the 12 coveted berths onboard finally closed. Almost 150 people from around the world applied to become an arkmate, and tonight, 57 of them will hear that they are through to the second round.

For the chosen 57, ahead lies a second questionnaire, and then, after a further thinning of the herd, online auditions in a chat room.

The application forms received by Ship of Fools over the past two months were entertaining, enlightening, inspiring and sometimes hilarious. Below are some of the highlights, with responses to the key questions which the applicants faced. Congratulations to our 57 second-rounders, and thanks to everyone who submitted applications for the Ark.

Give five words or phrases that describe your chosen character.

Kitten-ish, daring, devious, dog food. (Jezebel)

Give a Bible quote from this character that reveals their personality most clearly.

"Behold I will bring evil upon thee, and I will cut down thy posterity, and I will kill of Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up, and the last of Israel – 1 Kings 21:21." (Elijah)

Why do you want to play this character?

He's a big Bible character and I've always admired his beard. (Moses)

Does your character support a war in Iraq?

So if I say no, you probably want me to be a human shield in Iraq do you? And if I say yes, then I guess I get thrown overboard for being a prophet of doom. (Jonah)

Offer a few words of comfort for a grieving baboon who has just lost her mate.

I know what it's like... I'll sit with you while everybody else chatters away. Misery loves company. Stop biting. (Job)

Sorry, but the fish weren't biting and the boys had to eat... (Simon Peter)

You have discovered a packet of condoms slipped down the side of one of the sofas. What will you do?

Return them to my bedside drawer, naturally. I don't know why a servant hasn't done so already... what am I paying these people for? (Jezebel)

Goodness me, I haven't seen fruit that looks like this before! Hmmm this tastes sort of, well, *minty* and this one hmmm a bit like apples (that's strange), and ooh that's a funny colour for a fruit... (Eve)

Since this is a divine mission, I think heads should be in the heavens and out of the loincloths. (Mary Magdalene)

What secret revelation about your character would you be prepared to reveal at some point on the voyage?

I just might be a eunuch. (Daniel)

Which other Ark character would you most like to hang out with?

Daniel. He may be a dreamer, but he's such a lovely young man. (Martha)

Which other Ark character do you think you'll have the most difficulty getting on with?

Paul, I think, will be trouble. It's as if I got all the wild and woolly strength and he got all the... all the... anal retentive strength? (Samson)

Why are you interested in the reality internet game aspect of the Ark?

I'm too butt-ugly to ever get on to Big Brother.

Why are you interested in the biblical aspect of the Ark?

As a vegetarian, a PETA member and a rescuer of feral cats and greyhounds, the Ark is tantamount to my love for God.

Do you have any concerns or questions at this stage?

Will it be OK to play from my bed?