Viewers of the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind have expressed significant outrage following the broadcast of what many have described as an 'utterly painful' episode, with some even demanding refunds for their television licence fee. The programme, which forms part of the broadcaster's 'Quizzy Mondays' schedule alongside Only Connect and University Challenge, aired on Monday evening featuring a new panel of celebrity contestants.
Contestant Performance Sparks Widespread Criticism
The episode presented by Clive Myrie featured former England footballer Stuart Pearce, Britain's Got Talent winner Axel Blake, radio presenter Gemma Cairney, and television writer Phil Dunning. However, it was the performance of comedian Axel Blake during his specialist subject round on Marvel Comics that particularly ignited viewer frustration across social media platforms.
While Stuart Pearce managed to secure nine points in his round focusing on UK punk rock, and Gemma Cairney achieved six points with her subject on artist Pamela Colman Smith, Axel Blake could only answer two questions correctly during his specialist segment. This underwhelming performance prompted immediate and severe criticism from the show's audience.
Social Media Backlash and Licence Fee Demands
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, numerous viewers voiced their displeasure with the episode's quality. One disgruntled viewer wrote: 'I deserve a refund of the license fee, s**t TV', while another commented: 'Seriously though, this is not acceptable, it is utterly painful to watch.' The sentiment was echoed by multiple users who compared the broadcast to a spoof episode rather than genuine programming.
Further criticism focused specifically on Axel Blake's preparation, with one viewer noting: 'Axel Blake has fallen into the trap of *liking* something, but not doing any revision for being asked questions about it.' Another added: 'I've just turned over and I thought it was a comedy about thick people, until I realised again that it's Celebrity Mastermind.'
Final Scores and Winner Declaration
Following the general knowledge round, Axel Blake's performance did not improve significantly, with the comedian scoring just two additional points, bringing his total to a mere four points for the entire episode. In stark contrast, former footballer Stuart Pearce delivered an impressive performance, finishing with eighteen points and being crowned the episode's winner.
Reflecting on his victory, Pearce remarked: 'It was very similar to football, you walk on the pitch, you've got to deliver, and it was just wow. It was just an incredible experience, I've got to say, fantastic.' Meanwhile, Gemma Cairney concluded with thirteen points, and Phil Dunning, who answered questions about Paul O'Grady for his specialist subject, finished with sixteen points.
Ongoing Controversies Surrounding Celebrity Mastermind
This recent episode follows previous controversies surrounding the celebrity edition of the long-running quiz show. Earlier this month, viewers expressed frustration not with the questioning but with the recognisability of contestants, with many taking to social media to question the celebrity status of participants including The Traitors star Alexander Dragonetti, comedian Janine Harouni, golfing legend Dame Laura Davies, and actor Greg McHugh.
Furthermore, the programme faced accusations in December of having been 'dumbed down' after posing what many considered to be excessively simple questions during celebrity specials. Examples included queries such as: 'Woof woof and bow wow are representations of the sound made by what domestic pet?' and 'The term veg, as in fruit and veg, is an abbreviation for what type of food stuff?'
Historical Context and Viewer Expectations
Since its inception in 1972, Mastermind has established itself as a cornerstone of British television, renowned for challenging contestants with notoriously difficult questions that test both specialist knowledge and general understanding. The celebrity edition, however, has repeatedly faced criticism for perceived lowering of standards and inclusion of lesser-known personalities.
Viewers of the New Year's Celebrity Mastermind special similarly expressed disappointment, branding the show a 'waste of the TV licence fee' and describing participating celebrities as 'completely ignorant'. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between the programme's traditional reputation for intellectual rigour and the entertainment-focused approach of its celebrity spin-off.
Celebrity Mastermind continues to air on BBC Two at 7:30pm on Mondays, with episodes available for streaming on iPlayer. However, this latest backlash suggests significant viewer dissatisfaction that may prompt the broadcaster to reconsider aspects of the programme's format and contestant selection process moving forward.
