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A Peckham man made the record books today for scoring the joint worst total on Mastermind in the show's 37-year history.
Michael Burton scored a pitiful two out of 13 on his specialist subject, which was angels, then embarrassed himself further, getting five out of 15 answers right on the general knowledge round.
Altogether, the gas technician passed on 15 questions, including seven he was supposed to be expert on during the latest edition of the classic BBC2 quiz show.
He left the black leather chair as the joint worst performer on the show, equalling the seven-point low set by Colin Kidd in 2005.
Mr Burton began struggling in the first round which began badly as he passed on the first question. After giving a correct answer to the second question, it seemed as though his nerves had settled. But next came a series of passes and incorrect answers, as he sat cross-armed and bemused.
In the second round he finished 10 points behind the third-placed contestant and 19 behind winner, secretary Barbara Thompson.
But he can take comfort in knowing lower totals have been scored by two other people who have faced quizmaster John Humphrys. Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and actress Arabella Weir scored six each, but that was in a celebrity special in 2004.
Humphrys said of Mr Burton's performance last Friday: "That's what happens with the nerves and the effect of sitting in that chair, the tension and the build-up to it. He was a very nice bloke."
Reader views (7)
if you require info on how I managed only 7 in 2005 let me know. Please note I scored the top2 individual scores in the highly prestigious quiz league of london last season. Also , rumour has it that an even lower score is achieved later in the current series.
- Colin Kidd, bushey, 20/11/2009 01:14
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He meant "Angles", just couldn't work out how to spell it...
- Burty, Bromley, UK, 19/11/2009 16:47
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Apparently, he hoped that the questions were going to be about Hell's Angels!
- Nowan, London, 19/11/2009 15:49
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and in fourth place michael whos gone for a burton..and not a richard burton ..where eagles dare...your not at the top of the pecking order
- Scony, middlesbrough, 19/11/2009 13:28
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Angels? How can you question someone about something that doesn't exist? You could just make up your own answers and then dispute their answer by asking them to prove it?
- Bob, Cheam, 19/11/2009 11:49
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Seems his guardian Angel had abandoned him!
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 19/11/2009 11:35
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Angels ? get out more.
- Squiz, Islington, 19/11/2009 10:39
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