Mastermind

BBC2/iPlayer

****

[Contains spoiler]

SUCH is its cemented place in the schedules and viewers’ affections, any changing of the guard on Mastermind is bound to be newsworthy.

Tonight the show went one better, making television history with its first black presenter, Clive Myrie. Earlier this year the quiz crowned its youngest winner in Glasgow student Jonathan Gibson. Two headline-grabbing events in a matter of months: not bad going for a programme that turns 50 next year.

At first glance it was business as usual under Myrie. The same darkened studio, the letter M picked out like the Batman logo in the skies of Gotham, the spotlight on the famous black leather chair. After introducing the four contestants, the light fell on the presenter of the BBC’s news bulletins.

“Hello, and welcome to a new series of Mastermind with me Clive Myrie.” With that the game of quiz show thrones entered another era, the former Washington and Brussels correspondent succeeding John Humphrys, Clive Anderson, Peter Snow and Magnus Magnusson.

READ MORE: Glasgow student triumphs as youngest champion

The specialist subjects were the usual pick and mix: the geography of Switzerland; the family of Tsar Nicholas of Russia; Sir Roger Moore and Bruce Springsteen. The contestant who opted for The Boss turned out to be the winner, natch.

Mastermind was created by TV producer Bill Wright. A former RAF gunner, Wright drew inspiration from his experiences as a prisoner of war, with the request for “name, rank and serial number” becoming “name, occupation, and specialist subject”.

From the set to the theme tune – aptly titled Approaching Menace – the show was designed to be intimidating. Some contestants have been known to approach the chair as if it was the executioner’s block, or something equally dreadful, like the click and collect queue at John Lewis. It’s a long, cruel trek back for those who crack under the strain.

Each generation can claim its own presenter. For Myrie, 56, Magnusson was the man. Described on the show’s website as “a formidable Scot of Icelandic parentage”, the journalist and father of Sally Magnusson did much to establish the show as a serious test for contenders, and a ratings winner. His catchphrases, among then “I’ve started so I’ll finish” are still going strong.

READ MORE: Myrie on pressures of new role

Myrie seems as politely formal as Magnusson but not as forbidding as Humphrys. In an episode of Celebrity Mastermind, the Welshman asked fellow broadcaster Mishal Husain if she was doing her job “only because you are good-looking”.

It is hard to imagine Myrie being so spiky. His style could be described as “mate from school” friendly, the kind of pal you see once a year at Christmas but with whom you will always feel at ease. “I knew you knew it,” he said to one rueful contestant on informing her of the right answer.

It might have been a trick of the imagination, but the contestants seemed more relaxed. Will this catch on with viewers who rather like sitting at home watching strangers sweat? Pass.