Briony May Williams, Paul’s Place Patron on Celebrity Mastermind: from a special appearance to a conversation with the producers of the show
On Saturday 27th March, Briony May Williams (TV Presenter from Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped who first found fame on The Great British Bake Off) raised money for Paul’s Place by appearing on the classic quiz show Celebrity Mastermind. She was answering questions on her specialist subject, ’90s & ’00s Boy Bands.
To watch her episode click here
“We could not be more honoured to be mentioned on such an iconic quiz show,” says Paul’s Place Fundraising Manager Clair.
This was just the start. The producers got in touch with the charity for casting participants in their next series. Communications Officer Alex spoke to the production team for the general public version of the TV show to find out about how they accommodate disabled people.
“I was really impressed as to how much they had thought about every single step. One of the big concerns for disabled people are things like finding fully accessible accommodation, affording travel costs and arranging a long journey that requires many transfers. The fact that the production team can do this for their contestants is brilliant. It takes a lot of the stress away from those who have always wanted to apply but are nervous about accessibility issues,” shares Alex.
Hat Trick & Hindsight Productions are currently casting contestants for the next series of the regular Mastermind programme on BBC Two presented by new host Clive Myrie.
To help disabled people feel more confident about applying, here is what she learned after a meeting with the production team.
Should I apply?
Mastermind is for those who do well in general knowledge quizzes under time pressure.
It’s for those who can understand and respond to questions quickly and under time pressure.
Remember you have 90 seconds to answer questions, it’s very quick and the more you can answer the better you will do!
Support for your disability
Stage 1: An online application with a general knowledge test quiz, which is timed.
- Quiz available in various formats, e.g. braille or over the phone.
Stage 2: travelling to Belfast where it is filmed.
- Accessible accommodation is found for you
- Travel, accommodation and expenses paid by the show
- Clear travel route provided in advance, showing the timings
- Can have a plus one with you at all times for moral support
- Travel is planned in way that suits you
All the stress is taken out of travel and finding the right accommodation, as the production team do all that work for their contestants.
Stage 3: rehearsal – moving between the chair and the lineup
- You’ll practice going to and from the chair in a way that suits you
- You can stay in your wheelchair or they can assist you in getting in and out
- Your plus one can be on stage with you – just out of camera shot!
- The production team can accommodate a hoist if you wanted to experience sitting in the famous black chair!
If you’ve always dreamed of being on a classic quiz show like Mastermind, this is your chance!
Anyone can apply as long you are aged 18 or over and are a resident of the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).
You do need some General Knowledge and at least 3 specialist subject ideas – the wider the range the better!
As well as regular quizzers, people who might not usually apply for quiz shows are strongly being encouraged to get involved.
Hat Trick/Hindsight are committed to making programmes as inclusive as possible and are particularly interested in receiving applications from under-represented groups.
How to apply:
It’s really easy to apply, just email mastermind.hth@hattrick.com for a link to the online application form.
After you have submitted your application, one of the casting team may get in touch to organise a Skype audition with you. They’ll do a short general knowledge quiz and learn more about why you’ve chosen your Specialist Subjects. The audition will only take 15-20 minutes and is very relaxed and really good fun!
Throughout the casting period, the safety and wellbeing of all applicants, contributors and members of staff remains Hat Trick/Hindsight’s number one priority. Auditions are currently underway, with the heats filming in Belfast this summer, adhering to government guidance.
Applications close on Monday 24th May 2021 at midnight.