The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Angus man closes in on quest to be crowned ‘Mastermind’
Quiz show fan Ken out to win the daddy of them all
An energy analyst from Brechin has channelled all his quiz skills to make it through to the grand final of the ultimate TV game show – Mastermind.
Ken Morland, 48, has always had the intimidating show in his sights, and now viewers have only a few more weeks to wait to see if he fulfils his ultimate goal of collecting the coveted trophy.
After overcoming a gruelling selection process, heat and semi-final, screened last week, he is tight-lipped as to how he fared against seasoned quiz master John Humphrys and his fellow finalists.
Ken’s reaction to his whole experience to date is one of incredulity.
He said: “When I won the semi-final my disbelief was there for all to see.
“I really didn’t think I had done enough.”
Throughout the whole process Ken’s specialist subjects have been Red Dwarf, the works of the writer HP Lovecraft and for the grand final, Indian Premier League cricket.
“I haven’t played cricket in a very long time, but as part of getting through to the final you get a trip to your destination – so I got a trip to Kolkata in October.
“What an experience!”
Ken has been an avid fan of the show from an early age and whilst he has taken part in Eggheads as part of a team, and Fifteen to One in which he did “really badly”, Mastermind is the one he has always wanted to do.
He said: “I had no strategy going in for it other than just ‘go for it’.”
Ken praised the whole team behind the filming of the popular programme, but spoke of the intimidating effect the black chair and the spotlights have on competitors.
“It’s not just when you are in the chair, it is actually getting to it,” he said.
Ken’s daughters Olivia, 17, and Katie, 12, travelled down to Manchester for the filming of the final in November.
The grand final is due to be screened on Friday March 23.