MASTERMINDS

1. Which Hollywood star has ruled out running for governor of Texas?

2. Which country has become the world’s newest republic?

3. Who was the Oscar-winning James Bond director who was knighted at Windsor Castle this week?

4. Which pop group has cancelled the rest of its 2021 UK tour due to members of their touring party testing positive for Covid-19?

5. When does Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign take place?

6. Why did London’s West End dim all theatre lights for two minutes on Monday?

7. Which street in the UK has the slowest broadband?

8. The head of MI6, Richard Moore, has said he only uses which colour to write messages?

9. Which song does Apple Music UK say was the most streamed in the UK this year?

10. What day did mandatory maskwearing resume in England in shops and on public transport this week?

11. Can you name the player who broke Gary Lineker’s record as the leading British scorer in La Liga?

12. The childhood home of Beatles gutarist George Harrison has sold for how much at auction?

13. When did ITV’s storm-hit I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! from Gwrych Castle return to TV screens?

14. Who is Great Britain’s most successful female Olympic competitor?

15. Which former Strictly champ is 12 backing a campaign to get older people dancing this Christmas?

16. What is the name of the pub where around 60 people became trapped due to heavy snowfall from Storm Arwen?

17. At how many World Cups did footballer Diego Maradona represent Argentina?

18. What radio programme was suspended after a fire alarm went off?

19. Which supermarket opened a checkout-free store in Holborn, central London, this week?

20. What was boxer Carl Froch’s nickname?

21. Jack Dorsey resigned as the chief executive of Twitter on Monday – in what year did he co-found the platform?

22. What is the name of TV presenter Holly Willoughby’s new Golden Retriever puppy?

23. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is to be celebrated with what new coin next year?

24. What has become 2021’s fastest selling album?

25. How many Grand Nationals did Red Rum win?

26. Who has said his father used to pat him down for hidden books at family gatherings to stop him from reading constantly?

27. Cynthia Erivo returned to Strictly Come Dancing last weekend to deputise for which judge?

28. Which celebrity cook is supporting a new WaterAid appeal to bring clean water and toilets to schools?

29. Sir Ian McKellen joined forces with which famous pop group for a comical festive video?

30. Where is the UK’s National Cycling Centre located?