THE CHASE’S Shaun Wallace has his eye on hosting Mastermind now that John Humphrys has announced he’s stepping down from the role after 18 years. The quizzing expert begged BBC bosses to consider him as the show’s new presenter, saying it “would be a tremendous honour”. Shaun, best known as the Dark Destroyer on rival […]
THE CHASE’S Shaun Wallace has his eye on hosting Mastermind now that John Humphrys has announced he’s stepping down from the role after 18 years.
The quizzing expert begged BBC bosses to consider him as the show’s new presenter, saying it “would be a tremendous honour”.
Shaun, best known as the Dark Destroyer on rival broadcaster ITV’s daytime programme, revealed he’s keen to replace the veteran host.
“If I got to be the host of Mastermind, it would be a tremendous honour,” he told the Daily Star.
“It would go to show that television looks at diverse talent irrespective of your skin colour, gender or sexuality.”
Shaun, 60, added: “And it would give encouragement to people that you can come from nowhere and end up being something if you’ve got the talent.”
And it wouldn’t be the first time Shaun has appeared on the BBC Two general knowledge quiz.
He sat in the infamous black leather chair way back in 2004 and his knowledge of FA Cup Finals saw him go on to win.
Predicting the potential headlines, Shaun commented: “It would make a fantastic story if a former champion then became the host!”
John, 77, announced he was leaving Mastermind last month in his Daily Mail column, with the suggestion that a woman should be considered as his replacement.
He wrote: “I wish my successor well – but I’m not sure I envy them, whoever ‘they’ may be. What are the odds on the first female?”
John went on to warn any potential host: “Mastermind is one of those programmes you tinker with at your peril.
“Allow a contender to choose a light-hearted subject and the cry goes out: ‘Dumbing down!’
“Change the format even slightly and you are ‘sexing up’. Believe me, it’s not just the contestants who are in the spotlight.”
