Kirsty Rowland

"What are your earliest memories of Mastermind?"
I used to watch it with my father, because as a child I'd asked him to teach me 'general knowledge'. It, along with University Challenge, became 'our' time togther.

"What made you apply in the first place?"
I never really wanted to go on the show, but one of my Guides (I am a leader in Girlguiding UK) applied to Junior MM. Her specialist subject was to be Girlguiding and I was coaching her. She narrowly missed getting on the show, but I encouraged her to apply again the following year. She came to a Guide meeting a few weeks later clutching an application form for me for the adult MM. I felt there was no way I could encourage her to apply again if I wasn't prepared to have a go myself. Little did I believe I would actually make it on!

"How did you choose your specialist subjects?"
Honestly... well after a few glasses of wine one evening I plucked up the courage to apply and picked some topics I was interested in, but actually didn't know a vast amount about!
My first round was "Women of the Special Operations Executive", as I had just read a book about Vera Atkins. I hadn't a clue how many female agents there really were - I guessed about a dozen. It turned out there were 39 in the F Section alone...
My semi-final subject would have been "Olave Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide". This was a subject I knew much more about and was the one I wanted as my first round, but the MM team thought otherwise!
My final subject would have been "The Female pilots of the Air Transport Auxilliary". Thank God I didn't get this far as I still know very little about these amazing ladies!
"What was the audition process like?"

"How far did you realistically think you would get?"
I never expected to get through the auditions.

"How did you go about revising?"
For the SOE, I bought or borrowed every book I could get my hands on - the majority of which are out of print, so ebay, amazon and the library were my sources. I used what limited information is available on the internet. I kept this information on little cards, and wrote articles on wikipedia.

"What are your recollections of filming?"
It was fantastic! I really enjoyed the experience. Little did I realise that I was pregnant with my son (now 4 months old), but when I went back to Manchester to watch James Corcoran's semi (we had met via fb and helped each other revise) and to London for the final, I knew. My son was born the week before my programme was aired. I have a lovely photo of me holding Alexander with Mastermind on the tv behind us!

"Any encounters or experiences relating to your performance or afterwards you would like to share?"
I am very proud to have said "FANY" on the BBC!

"What were the reactions of your friends and family?"
Everyone was amazed and proud.

"How did you feel seeing yourself on TV?"
I was shocked at how I looked and sounded, but was surprised how eloquent I came across during the chat with JH.

"Why do you think people are attracted to quizzing? Is there something specifically that attracts certain people - and is it healthy?"
I think it's an excellent way to keep your brain ticking over and to find out more about the world.

"What did you think of this year's series?"
Excellent!

"What's your thoughts on the future of the show?"
Long may it continue!

"Are you going to give it another go?"
Of course... am trying to think of subjects how, in between nappies and feeding the baby!

James Corcoran

I am James Corcoran - I am the author of this blog as well as http://jpcorcoran.blogspot.com/ which is a general blog on my other interests. On Mastermind my occupation was Mortgage Consultant, however I got out of that last summer when the mortgage market was devastated by the credit crunch. I now work as an account manager for a major insurance firm. I am married with a wonderful daughter, and in my spare time I spend most of it thinking about and writing about music, film and sport - in the vain hope that someone will pay me for the privilege.


"What are your earliest memories of Mastermind?"

It wasn't a massive part of my life - I know I was aware of the cliches as early as I can remember - the chair, the theme tune, "I've started so I'll finish" - but probably more from it appearing in other media than the show itself. In more recent years I've watched it and actually been able to answer a few questions which definitely makes watching more enjoyable.

"What made you apply in the first place?"

It all started in January 2008 when deciding my new year's resolutions. I noticed on facebook that an old uni mate was appearing on The Weakest Link. As a long term fan of quiz shows and shouter at the TV I thought - I can do that!

So I duly requested an application form - however when I started to fill it out I quickly lost patience - lots of questions on there were obviously to tee up dirt for Anne Robinson to rip into you for - describe yourself in 3 words/ tell us a funny story about yourself/ how would your friends describe you blah blah blah.

I started filling it out a couple of times then thought I really couldn't be bothered, and so one afternoon bored at work I had a look at what other quiz shows were accepting applications on the BBC website. Mastermind pinged up. Now let me point out - I am no quiz regular. My quizzing is very occasional and limited to the pub variety. And when playing along watching Mastermind I generally had scored around 7 on General Knowledge, but sometimes as low as 4, which is shocking. It's a tough bloody quiz!

But I thought - specialist subjects - I'm good on the stuff I'm a geek about, and I'm a geek about quite a few things. Plus no Anne Robinson ripping the p*ss. Plus no lengthy application form - just put your details on, choose 4 specialist subjects and off you go. Sent it off without thinking anymore about it and went back to work.


"How did you choose your specialist subjects?"

When I applied online I simply picked subjects I was interested in and already knew about - Billy Bragg (one of my favourite musicians and a personal hero) Mod Movement in Britain (always been fascinated in the 60's and mod scene in particular), History of Heavyweight Boxing Championship (loved boxing for as long as I can remember) and Britpop (the period of music that shaped me as a teenager).

In the audition it came up that Heavyweight Boxing had been done last series, and someone was doing Oasis, so that would be a clash as very closely linked to Britpop. However I had come prepared! I had also bought a list of around 10 other subjects I would be happy to do, one of which was British Cinema of the 1960's, which along with Bragg and Mod became my 3 subjects.

"What was the audition process like?"

I was shocked to get the phone call inviting me to BBC Birmingham for an audition. When I got there I was ushered into a cupboard like room with two of the production team where I had a discussion about me and my specialist subjects and did a 20 questions general knowledge quiz. The chat generally went well - I got on well with them and was enjoying it. They were impressed by me bringing alternatives for specialist so that went in my favour.

My 20 questions didn't go particularly well - some I knew straight away, I think I guessed well on a few I didn't know, but there were a few I just didn't have a clue. At the end of the audition I openly asked - How have I done? Am I likely to get on? And they came out with it - you're borderline.

So I headed back down the M40 knowing I'd done as well as I could have hoped. I knew that the options were - declined, accepted, or standby list. My thinking was standby.

Then a few days later I got the call from the head honcho - producer Jon Kelly. You're on. Not a standby - a contender. I was shocked - it was all becoming a bit too real. What - actually on Telly? On Mastermind - the toughest quiz on TV? Bloody hell...


"How far did you realistically think you would get?"

My aims were - 1. Don't make a fool of yourself 2. Try not to come last, at least not by a big distance. I had no consideration of actually winning a heat.

I was just proud that I would be going on so for the rest of her life my daughter can say "My Dad went on Mastermind".

"How did you go about revising?"

I tried to put myself in the head of the question setters - I read the books I had, and every time a point came up I thought would make a good question, I wrote it on a flashcard. I then revised by asking myself the questions. I would recommend the method, as if you are lucky you can normally second guess most of the questions they will ask.

GK was a different matter. At first I tried to learn everything in the history of the world, ever - which didn't work! In the end I just hammered quiz books, and watched lots of quiz shows. You find that the same type of questions come up again and again.

"What are your recollections of filming?"

Because I was doing Mod in the first show, I knew that there would be lots of mods watching, so I had to look the part. I had carefully planned my outfit and had bought three different shirts with me, then just before going on the wardrobe man said none of them were acceptable as all had logos! I very quickly had to choose one from the Granada wardrobe bin.

In the actual filming I was surprised at how relaxed I felt - my specialist subject went really well, scoring 16. I could actually win this! However Chris Atkins scored an unbelievable 17. Then in GK I scored 13 - more than I have ever got before or since, even watching it at home. I then had to watch Chris go after me, counting each question he got right - and he started off really well, before getting into a bit of a 'pass spiral'. As the beep went I knew he was still a couple of points behind me. My brother-in-law was sat right behind me in the crowd and I heard him say "He's done it!". Amazing - I had won! I then had to re-film my walk to the chair. John Humphrys said - "and try not to look so smug!".

In the semi final I knew this was a different ball game. In the green room talking to Ian Bayley and Mel Kinsey I realised I was up against some seriously impressive quizzers and I would need a healthy lead after the first round to have a prayer. As it was I had a good first round on Billy Bragg (14) but both Mel and Ian scored fantastic 16's, so I was out of it. In the end I was luck y with questions again to score a respectable 9 on GK, but Ian thumped in a 12 to end with 28. The dream was over, but I had done better than I could have ever imagined.


"Any encounters or experiences relating to your performance or afterwards you would like to share?"

I got recognised by the woman in my local Chinese takeaway! Also I have had correspondence back and forth with Billy Bragg, and met him last summer at the 'Big Busk' on the south bank. I've also had correspondence from some mod legends (Eddie Piller, Irish Jack).

At a recent funeral in Ireland a lot of my Irish family who I'd never met, or I hadn't seen for years all recognised me - when I didn't know who they were. Very weird.

"What were the reactions of your friends and family?"

All very proud - however I do get a bit of hassle anytime I don't know a fact ("C'mon aren't you supposed to be a mastermind..." etc). Got plenty of texts and facebook messages of support so all good.

"How did you feel seeing yourself on TV?"

I was really pleased with how I came across. I was happy with my 'chat in the chair' and it was a real pleasure to be on TV talking about subjects I'm really interested in - how else could I be on prime time TV talking to John Humphrys about the mod scene and Billy Bragg? And I didn't look too bad, as long as the TV's not on widescreen!

"Why do you think people are attracted to quizzing? Is there something specifically that attracts certain people - and is it healthy?"

I was surprised when I found out about the whole quizzing scene - I thought it was just pub quizzes and didn't have a clue there was this whole world out there! I think that the pursuit of knowledge is a good thing, and I love to learn about subjects that I am interested in, but when it's for no other purpose than to know the answers of quiz questions - I'm not really into that.

"What did you think of this year's series?"

Great mix of people and subjects, good to have John Humphrys back after Des Lynam's unsuccessful spell on Sport Mastermind - however the BBC do need to sort it out and stop messing about with the scheduling.

"What's your thoughts on the future of the show?"

If it ain't broke don't fix it. As far as I'm aware it gets decent enough ratings to keep going for the foreseeable. I don't think there's any need to change the format drastically. I know David Clark mentioned they may be removing the 'chat in the chair' - I think that would be a shame.

"Are you going to give it another go?"

Not for a number of years. I think I was very fortunate to do as well as I did, and if I go again there is a good chance I will crash and burn - which would sully the memory of this appearance. Maybe in 10 years or something. In the meantime I fancy doing something where I can actually win some money!

Ann Kelly

Ann is a full time carer who over the years couldn't be prised out of the black chair: she appeared in 1987,97,98 (radio) 2004 and 2005. Ann is a committee member of the "Mastemind" club and would encourage any Masterminders who are not members of the club to join (contact Gavin Fuller or herself to find out how) it's great fun with regular gatherings in various parts of the country. She is also a member of "Waterloo Sunset" a team in the Quiz Leauge of London. When not quizzing she likes travelling, walking, jewellery making and making papier mache models out of copies of "The London Paper" and "London Lite." She is also a member of Flitwick Town Council and is currently the Deputy Mayor.

"What are your earliest memories of Mastermind?"

I remember watching it from when it was first put on at a more popular time, I was about 15 then and my mum and dad also loved it.


"What made you apply in the first place?"

I had fancied having a go for years and so one year decided to take the plunge.



"How did you choose your specialist subjects?"

My first subject was Sean O'Casey because he had a very interesting life and I knew he would be interesting to the viewer. My second subject was the London Underground because I am a rail nut and my third subject was the German Occupation of The Channel Islands as I feel that is part of our history that is swept under the carpet. I didn't prgress further than the first round.



"What was the audition process like?"

Very informal, I was put totally at my ease. I was auditioned by the then producer Peter Massey who is a lovely man. I had to smile reading Nancy's comments on waddling into her audition as I was due to shortly give birth after my audition as well!!


"How far did you realistically think you would get?"

I knew I wouldn't get beyond the first round, I just didn't want to make a complete mess of it.


"How did you go about revising?"

Reading O'Casey's biographies, autobiographies and plays. I was very lucky as I lived in Watford at the time and Hertfordshire Council have a very large music and drama library in Welwyn Garden City who either had O'Casey's plays or were able to get them for me. A lot of his stuff is very obscure; some of the books dated from the 1930s and I was the first person to borrow them!

I also made copious notes and had question and answer sessions with family members. For a couple of days after my recording I felt a bit bereft without any studying to do.



"What are your recollections of filming?"

Those were the days of big bugets! Cream cakes, lunch, more cream cakes, sherry reception and dinner after the recording.

In the days leading up to the recording I was very, very nervous. By the morning of the recording I was a gibbering wreck but once the rehersal started I felt fine, the nerves melted away. The process took a whole day, we arrived at the venue (Eltham Palace) in the morning, introduced to everyone, had a talk through, a full dress rehersal in the afternoon and plenty of eating and drinking.



"Any encounters or experiences relating to your performance or afterwards you would like to share?"

I can't think of anything in particular, apart from the obscene phonecall I received after being in the Watford Observer. Being such a Mastermind I didn't realise it was an obscene call, I thought he was the Watford Observer ringing me back. He rang me at 7.30 am, so he must have bought his paper at the crack of dawn and read through it straight away to find me. I was quite impressed.



"What were the reactions of your friends and family?"

They thought I was very brave, the way they were carrying on you would have thought I was climbing Everest without oxygen.



"How did you feel seeing yourself on TV?"

Absolutely horrified: I looked dreadful and Gavin Fuller has just found a tape of it.


"Why do you think people are attracted to quizzing? Is there something specifically that attracts certain people - and is it healthy?"

It's a fun thing and anything that gives pleasure and entertainment that doesn't involve cruelty is certainly healthy. It is so popular now that it attracts all sorts.

"What did you think of this year's series?"

Very annoyed the scheduling was messed about by the BBC



"What's your thoughts on the future of the show?"

Show the series as it should be, in one go, not like this year's fiasco

"Are you going to give it another go?"

After my inital appearence that I have just written about I had another four goes, so no. I have retired, I don't think the British public could take anymore of me grinning out at them from their TV sets.

Paul Sinha

Paul Sinha appeared in the last series, being extremely unlucky to go out in the first round in an highly competitive heat. He has also appeared on University Challenge - The Pofessionals, and recently proved himself as a serious quizzer with a respectable 68th place out of 973 of the world's top quizzers. He combines this with a career not only as a GP, but also as a succesful stand-up comedian! Check him out at http://www.paulsinha.com/





"What are your earliest memories of Mastermind?"

Like a lot of people , it was Housego. The bizarre media hype that a taxi driver could possibly know so much , seems vaguely reminiscent of the Susan Boyle phenomenon.



"What made you apply in the first place?"

Sat in a hotel in Manchester after being heavily defeated in University Challenge the Professionals , I noticed how narrow the social demographic was of all the other contestants , and thought that I would like to take quizzing more seriously , and ruffle up the gene pool a touch.



"How did you choose your specialist subjects?"

I deliberately picked biography of people who never wrote anything , because I thought that would be a finite subject. Magellans early death meant that he seemed ideal.



"What was the audition process like?"

Very pleasant. Although it is extremely disconcerting to have no idea what they are thinking or how you are doing.


"How far did you realistically think you would get?"

It was never about how far I'd get. That all depends on the other contestants. It was about not disintegrating on national TV.



"How did you go about revising?"

Bought some excellent books on amazon for Magellan , and tried to go through Trevor Montague's book for GK.



"What are your recollections of filming?"

It all went so quickly.



"Any encounters or experiences relating to your performance or afterwards you would like to share?"

When I got my ridiculously easy first question wrong , it shattered my confidence. That i recovered and posted a reasonable score is something I am very proud of. Without wishing to sound sycophantic , I must congratulate James Corcoran who won my heat with an extremely impressive combination of knowledge , speed and sangfroid.



"What were the reactions of your friends and family?"

Disappointed that I came fourth. Pleasantly surprised when it was broadcast that I hadnt humiliated myself.



"How did you feel seeing yourself on TV?"

I have been on telly quite a few times. My reaction has always been the same - can the cameras please stop adding so many pounds ???


"Why do you think people are attracted to quizzing? Is there something specifically that attracts certain people - and is it healthy?"

I really cant speak for anyone else. For me it is a desire to be competitive at something , to broaden my knowledge and interests , and i think it is very healthy.

"What did you think of this year's series?"

It was an excellent series , especially the final. My one surprise that it was only until the final that anyone registered a score of 30.



"What's your thoughts on the future of the show?"

I think the show has a difficult future. Compared to University Challenge , it seems unloved by the schedulers. I also think that as the specialist subjects become increasingly esoteric , more people are only engaging with the show in the second half. It is a fantastic institution , and I hope I am wrong.

"Are you going to give it another go?"

In theory I would love to. In practice , I am not sure that I have the willpower to go through the whole obsessive process of learning a specialist subject all over again. General knowledge is something I find more interesting than monomania. I may change my mind.

Ian Bayley

Ian Bayley is one of the leading lights of the UK quiz scene. He was narrowly pipped to the post by Nancy Dickmann in this years final, but it is surely a matter of time before he has his own glass bowl. A regular on our screens - as well as Mastermind in the last year he also featured prominently on Are You an Egghead and Only Connect.







"What are your earliest memories of Mastermind?"

Finding out that some guy was going to do Doctor Who and then forgetting to watch it.

"What made you apply in the first place?"

I've done many other quiz shows and I believed I could do quite well.

"How did you choose your specialist subjects?"

I had been interested in all of them before I became interested in quiz.

"What was the audition process like?"

Very friendly. I didn't have to jump through hoops or tell "funny" stories. The questions were tough and I was almost thinking I wouldn't make it.

"How far did you realistically think you would get?"

I prepared myself for getting knocked out in the heats. It can happen even to the best of us and it happened to my friend Olav.

"How did you go about revising?"

I recorded facts onto my Dictaphone and played it over and over.

"What are your recollections of filming?"

Lots of support from friends, especially in the latter stages.

"Any encounters or experiences relating to your performance or afterwards you would like to share?"

The girlfriend of a friend I hadn't met before introduced herself to me at Oxford Station. Somehow I'm that memorable.

"What were the reactions of your friends and family?"

Excited.

"How did you feel seeing yourself on TV?"

I came across better than I did on other quiz shows and I got my points across well. They somehow managed to keep the best bits of my chats. This was a pleasant surprise as I didn't think there were any good bits to keep.

"Why do you think people are attracted to quizzing? Is there something specifically that attracts certain people - and is it healthy?"

Yes. People should be interested in the world around them.

"What did you think of this year's series?"

Hard to say since I was in it.

"What's your thoughts on the future of the show?"

Solid provided they don't jeopardise ratings by messing around with the scheduling again.

"Are you going to give it another go?"

Yes.

David Clark, Mastermind Champion 2007

David Clark was the winner of Mastermind in 2007 (broadcast in 2008) in a nailbiting final. He had appeared once before in 2006, and has appeared on other shows, including Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Are You an Egghead. He is a teacher, regular quizzer and writes the popular "life after mastermind" blog.

"What are your earliest memories of Mastermind?"

My earliest memories of Mastermind are watching it when I was little in the early days of the Magnus Magnusson era. I think Liz Horrocks in 1974 was the first winner I can remember. I remember really rooting for Sir David Hunt in 1977, after he got through to the repechage semi despite losing his first round. And of course, everyone wanted Fred Housego to win in 1980.

We used to watch it together as a family, and none of us ever did that well on any of the specialist subjects, but it was always a race to try to be the first to come out with the answer to the GK questions.

"What made you apply in the first place?"

My Nan once predicted that I would go on it, and more than that, that I would win it ! Like a precocious little twerp I said that I wouldn't go on it till I was in my 40s, when I'd still be quick, but would know a lot more. Then I've played in quizzes for over 20 years. I was gutted when they took the show off. In 2004 I was invited to take part in a team going on a show , and although we didn't do well, I really loved it. My son told me in 2005 that you could apply on line, so I thought that the time had come, and applied for the 2006 series.

"How did you choose your specialist subjects?"

My original choices for specialist were very different from what I did. I chose writers, then was told at the audition not to do them because they were connected to my work as an English teacher. So I chose the Olympic games because its something I'm very interested in. Far too wide as a subject , though.

When I reapplied in 2007, my first 2 subjects were the ones I would have used if I'd got to the semis and final the previous year. In both cases, Henry Ford and The Prince Regent were people I found interesting. They were also subjects I already had books about, and they were doable within a space of time. For my final subject I had read a brilliant book on the History of London Bridge, and I thought it would be a great subject.

"What was the audition process like?"

The first audition , the 2006 one was in a hotel room in Cardiff, and very similar to some other ones I have taken part in. The worst part was the horse trading over the specialist subjects. Its also quite hard answering 20 GK questions, and not being told what you've got right or wrong. generally very good fun though, very friendly and quite relaxed. In 2007 we did it over the phone, and it was even quicker and easier.


"How far did you realistically think you would get?"

Realistically I thought I was good enough to get to the semis. I was a bit gutted to be beaten in the first round in 2006, although it was alright because I was beaten by a very good quizzer, Kath Drury, who had been to the semis before, and who went on to get the highest score in the semi. Being invited to go to the semis as a stand in for 2006 was great, and convinced me that I had a realistic chance of doing well if I tried again. So I did.


"How did you go about revising?"

I'm afraid I was quite anal and methodical about revising. For each subject I had three books to work through. I'd pick my main book, then work through it chapter by chapter, page by page. Every time I found something which I thought could be made into a question I would put a little asterisk by. At the end of each chapter/section I would turn each asterisk into a question on a flashcard - question 1 side, answer on the other. Then I'd use these to test myself. With the other books I would read them, but make an asterisk if I found new information not in the other book, and turn these into questions. For each subject I learned about 800 questions, although more than a thousand for the Olympic Games.


"What are your recollections of filming?"

Well on my first show I went third, and both Neil and Kath, who have remained friends ever since with me, who went first scored 17. I felt like I was staring down the barrel of a gun ! Then in the 2007 semi final John Humphrys messed up accidentally in Sheila Altree's GK round, and it took them well over 20 minutes to set it right. That was horrible. In the 2007 final, I was counting along with the very last GK round. Derek needed 14 to win, 13 to go to a tie break. I counted that he'd scored 13, but Sandra Piddock grabbed hold of me and told me that I'd done it - and the moment that John Humphrys said the 't' of 29, I knew she was right. That was weird - but good.


"Any encounters or experiences relating to your performance or afterwards you would like to share?"

I don't think anyone is ever going to get a media career out of winning Mastermind again, as happened once or twice in the Magnusson era - Fred and Chris Hughes, for example. However there's still a level of interest , especially amongst those of us in our 40s and older. I had a very nice civic reception in the Mayor's Parlour in Neath, I was invited to spend a day in my old school, and to present the prizes and make the speech in the annual prizegiving. Through answering questions on London Bridge I was invited as a guest to the Gala Luncheon for the 800th anniversary of the bridge in Fishmonger's Hall - and this was a wonderful occasion. I also do some voluntary work for the London bridge Educational Trust and Museum website, which is really enjoyable.


"What were the reactions of your friends and family?"

Family and friends were delighted for me. Anyone who knows me that well knows my quiz obsession, so I suppose that it didn't really come as a total bolt from the blue. Having said that I think my mum was totally bowled over by it. Speaking of which , people of a certain age do go a bit funny when you show them the bowl. First reaction is that they don't want to touch it, as if merely making contact with it will cause it to shatter. Although having said that, when I took it into work the head of the office staff very nearly did smash it - by trying to clear a table it was sitting on. I nearly had a heart attack.


"How did you feel seeing yourself on TV? Plus how was the filming of your 'build up' video for the final?"

I hate watching myself on TV ( reaction from family when I told them this - 'we hate watching you on TV too ! ' ) But making the film for the final was great fun. I did hope that they were going to fly me to Lake Havasu in the USA, where the previous London Bridge is now situated, but no, just a day out in London. But having said that it was a great day. Filming in St. Magnus church was good fun, and getting to film in the Museum of London after hours was terrific. It wouldn't appeal to everyone, but it was right up my street.


"Why do you think people are attracted to quizzing? Is there something specifically that attracts certain people - and is it healthy?"

Quizzing is a broad church. Anyone can take part, and if you think of pub quizzes throughout the length and breadth of the country, a huge spectrum of people of different ages, interests and ability levels do. I think there is the same attraction that there is on any other form of competition - testing yourself against your past performance, and against others. There's also the added attraction of possibly learning something. Healthy ? I think it is possible to get to the stage where it becomes work rather than fun - if I wanted to get to the standard of the 2 Mastermind champions who preceded me , Pat Gibson and Geoff Thomas, - then I'd have to work incredibly hard, with no guarantee that I'd ever get there. Likewise I think if you're not careful winning can become so important that you don't enjoy it any more, and start to beat yourself up mentally every time you get beaten. Now that's not healthy.

"What did you think of this year's series? Was it difficult to watch as you are now not allowed to take part?"

I loved this year's show ! I thought that the semi finals, for example , were brilliant - better than my series to be honest, and so the line up for the final was extremely strong. Nancy was a great contender throughout the whole series, and despite me tipping someone else , she was a very worthy winner. I think that its great that there should be some good publicity for the series coming from the fact that she's the first woman to win since 1997. I never wished I was back in the chair while I was watching, no. I miss having the sense of purpose you get from having a subject to learn and a very short time to learn it, but I look back on the show with huge affection and satisfaction. Now, if they ever did a tournament of champions . . . well, I wouldn't stand a cat in hell's chance of winning, but it would be fun to do.

"What's your thoughts on the future of the show? Can it survive with the prevalence of "Deal or No Deal" style non question based quiz shows?"

Can the show survive ? God, I hope so. I think that part of the problem is that BBC schedulers have no faith in it at all, and thus change the broadcast day each series, and drop it for a week or fortnight at a time at the drop of a hat. University Challenge proves that there is an audience for a serious quiz show out there - in fact pairing the two shows for a Monday Night quiz hour would make sense to me. I think there are some changes in the series they are filming at the moment which will help. The series will be shorter, because six semi final places are going to the six highest scoring runners up - and this is a change which is highly overdue. Also the chat with John Humphrys between rounds is disappearing. No disrespect to John, but I hated sitting through these as a contender who just wanted to get on with it - and I can't say that I enjoy them that much as a viewer.

Its interesting that a DOND format - the Colour of Money - failed dismally on Prime time Saturday Night. I think that quizzes , particularly serious quizzes , will never be prime time again for a very long time - and even then only shows like Millionaire. But I do think that there is room in the schedules for a Mastermind. I hope so. But I have to say it worries me when I can ask good quizzers who play in one of the teams I play in whether they watched the final, and they say that they didn't even know it was on.

"Approaching Menace"

Welcome to Mastermind Memories - a collection of recollections of past Mastermind contendors. If you are a previous contendor (or champion!) and would like to share your memories please get in contact. It would be great to hear from you.

If you are considering taking part then the testimonies contained should give a good indication of what you are likely to expect - and what you are getting yourself in for!

Mastermind is to my mind the ultimate TV quiz test. The combination of general knowledge and specialist subjects, the relentlessness of 2 straight minutes of questions, and the atmosphere created by the dark lighting, the famous black chair and of course the iconic theme tune - "Approaching Menace" - all add to the legendary show that is Mastermind. And while the questions on University Challenge may be harder - in the black chair and against the clock you have no teammates to rely on.

I've started so i'll finish...