RT
Interesting to see the coverage of Boxing Day's edition of Celebrity Mastermind. Blunketts terrible performance is front-page news on todays Mirror with the headline 'Flunkett' and the Sun along with most other papers have the story covered.
Mirror article
Sun article
I'm particularly interested in this because I took two friends to see this edition being recorded and we were seated right behind Blunkett where he sat with the other four contestants, although at the time I was more interested in why Antony Worrall Thompson was wearing is mother's shoes at the time.
There was also one embarrassing/humourous moment when Blunkett was heading back from the Mastermind chair and nearly walked into the pillar holding the crystal prize. But luckily Barry jumped to the rescue. This was re-recorded so I doubt this will be one. Shame.
But the main thing that I was thinking about on the way home was why Blunkett went on to do the show? Is anyone with me when I say ban all politicians from quiz shows. Wait and watch Boxing Day's Mastermind and I have no doubt you will be able to quickly make up your mind. If you think David Brent is going to be the only cringe making thing on telly this Christmas, just wait for the Home Secretary...
rts
Founding member
BBC News Online posted:
Home Secretary David Blunkett lost out to a former EastEnders star when the two met in a celebrity edition of BBC Two quiz Mastermind.
Mr Blunkett took on actor Shaun Williamson, who played Barry Evans, BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen and chef Antony Worrall Thompson.
But the former education secretary came last, scoring just 11 points.
He told the Daily Mail: "I foolishly thought as this was a celebrity edition it would be more relaxed than normal."
Mr Blunkett chose JK Rowling's Harry Potter books as his specialist subject, scoring nine points.
But he struggled in the general knowledge section, giving eight passes and two wrong answers in questions put to him by host John Humphrys.
The 56-year-old MP put his failure down to the programme's intimidating atmosphere.
"When it was my turn, I was so nervous, I began to feel as if the chair had almost become an electric one," he said.
"It is quite simply terrifying."
The special, to be shown on Boxing Day at 2025 GMT on BBC Two, is the first of three celebrity editions of the programme being broadcast over the festive season.
Mr Blunkett took on actor Shaun Williamson, who played Barry Evans, BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen and chef Antony Worrall Thompson.
But the former education secretary came last, scoring just 11 points.
He told the Daily Mail: "I foolishly thought as this was a celebrity edition it would be more relaxed than normal."
Mr Blunkett chose JK Rowling's Harry Potter books as his specialist subject, scoring nine points.
But he struggled in the general knowledge section, giving eight passes and two wrong answers in questions put to him by host John Humphrys.
The 56-year-old MP put his failure down to the programme's intimidating atmosphere.
"When it was my turn, I was so nervous, I began to feel as if the chair had almost become an electric one," he said.
"It is quite simply terrifying."
The special, to be shown on Boxing Day at 2025 GMT on BBC Two, is the first of three celebrity editions of the programme being broadcast over the festive season.
Interesting to see the coverage of Boxing Day's edition of Celebrity Mastermind. Blunketts terrible performance is front-page news on todays Mirror with the headline 'Flunkett' and the Sun along with most other papers have the story covered.
Mirror article
Sun article
I'm particularly interested in this because I took two friends to see this edition being recorded and we were seated right behind Blunkett where he sat with the other four contestants, although at the time I was more interested in why Antony Worrall Thompson was wearing is mother's shoes at the time.
There was also one embarrassing/humourous moment when Blunkett was heading back from the Mastermind chair and nearly walked into the pillar holding the crystal prize. But luckily Barry jumped to the rescue. This was re-recorded so I doubt this will be one. Shame.
But the main thing that I was thinking about on the way home was why Blunkett went on to do the show? Is anyone with me when I say ban all politicians from quiz shows. Wait and watch Boxing Day's Mastermind and I have no doubt you will be able to quickly make up your mind. If you think David Brent is going to be the only cringe making thing on telly this Christmas, just wait for the Home Secretary...