BBC viewers switch off just minutes into Celebrity | UK News

Celebrity Mastermind viewers have been switching off within minutes on Monday evening (December 22) after claiming the show had been dumbed down following an opening query they branded painfully straightforward. The BBC quiz show kicked off with journalist Maryam Moshiri in the recent seat, whose specialist subject was the Bridget Jones movie franchise. But followers have been left surprised when her very first query requested which actress performed Bridget Jones — sparking instantaneous backlash online. One viewer fumed: “Who plays Bridget Jones?? Really tough questions…”, while another added: “Tricky one to start with, who played Bridget Jones?”

A 3rd 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! #Mastermind” Viewers said their frustration only grew as more “soft” questions adopted by long-standing host Clive Myrie, with some accusing Celebrity Mastermind producers of being far too light in contrast to the notoriously robust common model of the show.

The superstar line-up for the episode featured Maryam Moshiri, Chesney Hawkes, Desiree Burch and Danny Robins — but viewers have been already unimpressed before the first spherical was over.

After Maryam’s Bridget Jones questions sparked complaints, Chesney Hawkes’ specialist subject also got here under fire, with followers slamming his alternative of The Beatles’ White Album as “far too narrow”.

One viewer fumed: “Questions about one album is a cop out and not a robust enough subject.” Another added sarcastically: “Not dumbed down at all…”

The frustration only grew when common data questions adopted, including: “Woof woof and bow wow are representations of the sound made by what domestic pet?”

Another straightforward query was: “the term veg, as in fruit and veg, is an abbreviation for what type of food stuff?” vegetable being the reply.

Viewers have been fast to pile on, with one writing: “These questions are so easy it’s a joke!”

Comedian Desiree Burch’s specialist subject was Hollywood actress Viola Davis, while presenter Danny Robins confronted questions on Disney Star Wars spin-off sequence The Mandalorian — including to what many viewers felt was an uneven degree of problem across the board.

The backlash comes as Celebrity Mastermind airs nightly during the festive period, before returning to a weekly slot.

Upcoming episodes will characteristic Sally Ann Matthews, Yinka Bokinni, Felicity Ward and Michael Bradley on December 23, adopted by Gareth Malone, Gamba Cole, Yewande Biala and Lucy Beaumont on Christmas Eve. Boxing Day’s line-up contains Will Best, Laura Smyth, Nikita Kuzmin and Jayne Wisener.

Host Clive Myrie lately revealed that since taking over the show in 2021, he has requested celebrities a whole of 6,671 questions — though judging by the response to this episode, some followers are calling for a harder check.