THE show has been running for almost 45 years, so it doesn’t take a mastermind to work out that some of the finalists would probably have come from Hampshire.

Since its creation in 1972, Mastermind hasn’t changed it’s basic format, featuring four to six contestants taking part in two quizzing rounds, one in a specialised subject of the contenders choice, the other in a general knowledge round.

The shows architect Bill Wright devised the high-pressure atmosphere by drawing inspiration from his own experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II.

Back in 1984, Margaret Harris, former deputy head at Woolston School scored 38 points – more than anyone else up until that point. She went on to become a Mastermind Champion.

In November 1987, Hampshire man John Hill, became a semi-finalist after winning with his specialist subject – thugee – a mystical religious movement in the early 19th century in India involving ritual murders on a massive scale which the British administration managed to curtail.

Six years later in 1993, local man Gavin Fuller became the youngest contestant to win at the age of 24.

Fuller stomped through the final, his chosen subject being The Crusades, 1095 to 1154 – although he found it a nerve racking experience.

“I tried to keep mental toughness together,” he said. “It was intimidating – especially the finals.

“It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done.”

Kevin Ashman from Winchester was a reserve in the 1995 contest, going on to not only star in the show but to smash records and lift The Mastermind Bowl.

Ashman scored a record breaking 41 points in the first round, followed by 38 in the semi final, and then romped to victory in the final with his specialist subject of the Zulu war.

In a Daily Echo interview afterwards, Ashman said “I was very nervous and I had a pounding headache. But once I got going and found the chair was quite a good fit for me – I was fine.”

As well as strong contestants, Hampshire has contributed to Mastermind in other ways over the years – it’s also played host to the filming of the show.

The Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop was the unusual setting for the show in 1988, with two of the productions being filmed amid the famous old flying machines of yesteryear.

Later that year the show came to Hampshire once again – this time being filmed at Redbridge Community School, bringing back memories for head teacher Margaret Harris – the local Mastermind Champion and former record holder.