The 'black chair' stands ready in the centre of the Mastermind arena awaiting the presence of the 48 aspirants to the title 'Mastermind 1978', chosen from the many thousands of viewers who applied to take part in this year's series.
In this second heat the challenge of Mastermind is faced by four contenders from Northern Ireland. The contenders are; ROY ALCORN, teacher, Hollywood films, 1929-1959
Cranfield technical university provides an ideal setting for one of tonight's specialised subjects - History of Aviation.
Tonight an American Attorney takes up the brief on behalf of Thomas Jefferson , one-time President of the USA, which is just one of the interesting specialised subjects in tonight's Mastermird heat. The contenders are:
In this visit to Newcastle University, Liverpool, Kirkby, Sheffield and Manchester provide the ' brain power' in this fifth heat of Mastermind.
Tonight's Northern group of contestants hail from South Wirral, York, Bolton and Sheffield: ROSEMARY JAMES, teacher, Mythology of Greeks and Romans
Contestants from Edinburgh, Inverness, Dumbarton and Falkirk gather at the oldest University in Scotland - St Andrews. There to face a barrage of questions designed to test their specialised and general knowledge, and their ability to concentrate under pressure.
Nerve, concentration, recall are just some of the attributes required of the contestants taking part in this second Scottish heat from St Andrews University. The contenders are
Tonight sees the inauguration of a new chair at Bath University, the 'Black Chair' of specialised and general knowledge awaiting contestants from Oxford, Mitcheldean, Swindon and France Lynch, near Stroud, to prove their worth in this ninth heat of Mastermind.
Contestants from Cheltenham, Chipping Campden, Glastonbury and Swansea take up the challenge of Mastermind at Bath University. The contestants are
Astley Farm, near Leeds, provides Mastermind with its first-ever farmer competitor. A doctor, graduate and lecturer make up the rest of the group, who will be in contention for a place in the semi-finals. Tonight's venue is Hull University.
This is the final competition of the first-round heats, and apart from tonight's winner, the four best losers over the 12 heats will become known, moving forward to take their place in the special runners-up semi-final. Contenders: OLGA KEVELOS, licensee, Genghis Khan
The crucial stage is now reached with the first of the semi-final matches taking place at Leeds University. The contenders are
There are four places available in the final of Mastermind for the contestants who win through the semi-final round.
Liverpool University, venue of the first-ever Mastermind in 1972, plays host to four would-be finalists in this third semi-final match. The contenders are BILL BENT, lecturer, The geography of England AUBREY LAWRENCE, librarian, History of Rhodes up to AD 1522 DAVID MCKIBBIN, teacher, History of World War I
The traditional Mastermind match for the best losers from the first round takes place tonight at Liverpool University, in this fourth and last of the semi-finals. The contenders come from Merseyside, Bolton, Manchester and York - a truly Northern occasion.
The Mastermind title and trophy are now within the reach of four worthy contenders, who meet tonight in competition at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. ROBERT GLEESON, bookseller, Westminster Abbey