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!