An energy-analyst from Brechin has channelled all his quiz skills to make it through to the grand final of the ultimate television 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 recently, he is tight-lipped as to how he fared against seasoned quiz-master, John Humphrys, and his fellow finalists.
The show is renowned for its ominous theme music, aptly named “Approaching Menace” by the British composer Neil Richardson, the tough specialist and general knowledge rounds, the “I’ve started so I’ll finish” quip as the final seconds count down for competitors and, of course, the infamous black chair.
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 H. P. 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 have watched it from an early age – it was the one I wanted to do.
“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.
“For me there is no terror when I am sitting in the chair, there is just a feeling of calm and an almost emptiness.
“For me the worst bit is waiting in the chair – in the first heat I had to remind myself to breathe – it is utter, abject terror.
“The shape of the stage also makes it difficult , it is so dark and you are trying not to fall off.
“Then you sit down in the chair and are asked questions under Gestapo-style headlamps.
“The whole experience begins to bubble over. It either clicks or it doesn’t.”
Ken’s daughters Olivia, 17, and Katie, 12, travelled down to Manchester for the filming of the final in November.
Although they were not allowed to sit in the audience, they were able to watch a live screening in a dressing room in the television studios.
The grand final is due to be screened on Friday March 23.