By JACINTA TAYLOR

Published: 21:55 GMT, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 23:42 GMT, 27 December 2025

It was once regarded as television’s toughest quiz show.

But BBC2’s Mastermind was facing accusations on Saturday night that it has been dumbed down after posing ‘painfully easy’ questions to contestants.

One of the general knowledge questions asked by presenter Clive Myrie in last week’s celebrity Christmas specials was: ‘Woof woof and bow wow are representations of the sound made by what domestic pet?’

The respondent, American comedian Desiree Burch, looked a little puzzled before answering ‘dog’.

Another no-brainer was: ‘The term veg, as in fruit and veg, is an abbreviation for what type of food stuff?’ 

Other contestants were posed questions including ‘beef is a meat from what farm animals?’ and ‘which cardinal point on a compass is represented by the letter S?’

The show, which started in 1972 with presenter Magnus Magnusson, has become compulsive viewing over the years for millions of viewers tuning in to test their knowledge against questions such as ‘what is oil of vitriol better known as?’ Sulphuric acid is the correct answer.

The show’s creator, Bill Wright, is said to have drawn inspiration for the quiz from his experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during the Second World War.

In last week’s celebrity Christmas special, BBC2’s Mastermind presenter Clive Myriein asked one contestant: ‘Woof woof and bow wow are representations of the sound made by what domestic pet?’

Clive Myrie, 61, returned to our screens to host the most recent celebrity special, which starred journalist Maryam Moshiri, 48, singer Chesney Hawkes, 54, comedian Desiree Burch, 46, and broadcaster Danny Robins, 49 (pictured)

Each player faces two rounds – their specialist subject, then general knowledge. 

But the soft questions fired at celebrity contestants including choirmaster Gareth Malone last week prompted an online backlash. Fans said they were so fed up that they changed channels within minutes of Monday evening’s show.

BBC journalist and presenter Maryam Moshiri was the first to sit in the show’s black chair, answering questions on her specialist subject, Bridget Jones films.

Fans gasped in disbelief at the opening question – ‘which actress played Bridget Jones?’

Moshiri gave the correct answer, Renee Zellweger. But one viewer complained: ‘Is that the standard of knowledge for celebrities on this show? Not worth my time – I’m switching off! Ask real hard-hitting questions next time!’

Another said: ‘These questions are so easy it’s a joke.’

A third added: ‘Watching Celebrity Mastermind on BBC is just sheer horror... It’s embarrassing to watch the programme.’