Fifty years ago there occurred a pivotal couple of days in my father’s life. On 11 September 1972, the first ever episode of Mastermind aired. Two days later, he became a father for the third time, when I was born. I like to think the latter milestone was the more significant, but it was a close-run thing.
My dad – who before Mastermind would never have watched a quiz show – adored the programme. Some of my earliest memories involve being curled up on his lap, listening in awe as he answered question after question, frequently outperforming guests on their specialist subjects. My sisters and I begged him to apply but, modest to a fault, he shunned the limelight.
