Teacher takes Mastermind challenge

CONTESTANT: William Barnes, Havelock North, is set to appear on Mastermind New Zealand. He is pictured studying a book on his subject, America in the 1960s. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

For Havelock North man William Barnes it was a case of "lights, camera, questions", as he faced the challenge of chasing a title last contested 25 years ago.

He has stepped forward to have a shot at the television show Mastermind which last ran in 1991 when it was hosted by the late Peter Sinclair.

"I vaguely remember seeing it back then and saw a guy answering questions about rugby and thought it was pretty good - but I never thought I'd one day be on it."

The 35-year-old teacher said he loved trivia, pub quizzes and question shows such as The Chase and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

So when he saw an advertisement on TV One last November inviting people to apply for a place on the planned Mastermind show, which sparks into life this Sunday night, he thought "I can do this ... why not?"

So he filled out the online application, which included making a short video of himself, and did his first audition via Skype.

"Then I got to the second audition and then the third audition and then I got the word that I was in."

There was nothing in the way of nerves at that stage, just "pure excitement", and he embarked on his swotting campaign for the subject he had chosen - American history during the 1960s.

"History is my thing - the 20th century," Mr Barnes said.

Subjects such as World War I and World War II were too big - too expansive, so he focused on 1960s US.

Part of the deal is an agreement with the production team that two reference books can be used for him to work from. From those books, the question-making crew create their questions.

"You have to commit a lot of time to it and I had a quota (of research) every day which I worked in around school work.

"It was a real challenge but I'm pretty organised - I know how to study."

The filming took place at Easter.

He was one of 32 people now lined up for the series, in groups of four, and when he took his seat to face host and quizmaster Peter Williams it was "seventy per cent excitement and thirty per cent nerves".

Among the small audience group were his parents, wife, sister and a couple of friends - but he could not see them when the "action" began.

"You do become focused because you're in the chair and all you see is the spotlight and Peter Williams - everything else is just darkness."

He said Mr Williams was a "real gentleman and a great host" and helped smooth the way for the contestants.

Mr Williams is not at liberty to say how he got on, of course, but expects to get plenty of reaction after his segment is screened - especially when he gets back to school.

"Oh no ... pandemonium," he said with a laugh.

His advice for anyone keen for a very public challenge in possible series to come?

"Oh yes, give it a go."