Guy Mowbray takes on Mastermind for Sporting Memories

On Monday 20 January, our Patron Guy Mowbray will be appearing on the celebrity version of the iconic quiz show Mastermind, where he will be playing on behalf of Sporting Memories!

Mastermind, which has been running on the BBC for over 50 years, is currently broadcasting its celebrity series with Guy invited to be a contestant on this season’s edition. We caught up with Guy ahead of the show’s airing, to see how he enjoyed the experience and why he chose Sporting Memories as his charity for the show.

We began with Guy by asking him about the experience of taking his place on the famous chair, having already been on the show previously.

“It was my second time (on the programme) and it doesn’t get any easier! I can’t remember how I fared score-wise compared to the last time, but I can assure you it was just as tough as before.”

“Clive (Myrie, the host) makes it as easy as he possibly can, making all the contestants feel comfortable ahead of and during filming; but in all honesty I didn’t find the Mastermind chair too daunting. Although the music does put you slightly ill-at-ease when you’re making your way to the chair!”

Guy also had some advice for any budding contestants who want to test themselves one of the oldest quiz shows on British television.

“I would absolutely recommend anyone who can apply for it to have a go, because it is a great experience taking part and it’s certainly not like answering them at home!

“I would say to back yourself and trust the answers you have to the questions. One piece of advice I would give is that you are the victim of your own mistakes, because as soon as you get one question wrong you have to put it out of your mind and focus on the next question, otherwise you could end up in a spiral of not listening to the next question properly and getting that wrong too.”

Representing Sporting Memories

On the celebrity edition of the Mastermind, each contestant selects a charity which they would like to represent, and Guy explained why his role with us made it an easy choice.

“My role as a patron was key to my decision to choosing Sporting Memories as the one I would support with my appearance on Mastermind.

“In my day-to-day role as a commentator, the power of the mind, memories and knowledge is absolutely everything and fundamental to it all. When you have a passion for something, you remember everything about it and those things never truly go, it’s about simply unlocking those moments again and that is what Sporting Memories does.”

“I also know from my own personal experiences of my mother, seeing someone you love living with dementia and the confused state it leaves them in, but also being aware of how devastating dementia can be for families who really feel the impact as well.”

“I’ve been to many Sporting Memories meetings and seen what an impact they can have on those that come along. And it’s not just those living with dementia as well, it can be those living with other long-term health challenges or people who are lonely and living isolated lives.”

As Guy mentions, he has seen the impact of our Clubs at first-hand, and finished his time speaking with us by sharing how he believes Sporting Memories helps older people across Britain.

“At the sessions you see the brightness come back into people and they almost appear to come alive again, simply by engaging in topics they know deep down and enjoy.

“Also, it’s not just those who go along as members who get the benefits from it, it’s also the volunteers that take part in the Clubs, the family members who either get involved in the sessions or can leave a loved one there knowing they will enjoy an hour or two of their week. It’s so beneficial in a lot of ways, so it was a no brainer for me to show my support. (through Guy’s Mastermind appearance)”

A big thank you to Guy for his time and for choosing us to represent on Mastermind – you can see how Guy fared on his episode by watching here.

Sporting Memories would also like to thank Mastermind and Hat Trick productions for their support.

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