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.