Nick Hancock wins Celebrity Mastermind on BBC1 to help out Douglas Macmillan Hospice

COMEDIAN Nick Hancock kept his wits about him to take first place on TV's Celebrity Mastermind last night.

The TV presenter won the BBC 1 quiz to raise cash for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

Answering questions on his specialist topic F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the Stoke City fan got off to a flying start.

Taking the hot seat first Nick managed to answer 12 answers correct on his specialist subject within 90 seconds.

And he only had one pass.

He said: "I chose to answer questions on The Great Gatsby because I remember studying it at school and really enjoyed it.

"I have got to the age now where I can only memorise things from when I was much younger."

When asked why the Stoke-on-Trent born actor didn't chose Stoke City as his specialised subject, he said: "If I had got anything wrong I would have got absolutely slaughtered."

Nick then went on to the general knowledge round where he racked up a further 18 points.

He only passed on one question regarding the name of the Sheffield Hallam MP who had made it into parliament.

The answer is deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.

Speaking after the show he said: "It was quite a nerve wracking experience. Especially as I have two children that I always badger to do their homework.

"I am going to put my trophy in pride of place in the kitchen now so they can take me seriously."

The comic who is best known for his role presenting sports show They Think It's All Over currently presents the BBC daytime quiz show Breakaway.

He seemed surprised by the final victory telling the audience: "I have never won anything before."

The quiz presented by John Humphrys was the penultimate episode of the season.

He was competing against T'Pau singer Carol Decker, TV presenter Michael Underwood and rugby player-turned-commentator Austin Healey as they tried their luck on the quiz.

Other specialist subjects included James Bond, Everton FC and Tina Turner.

Contestants donated their appearance fee to charities of their choice and Nick's was Blurton-based charity The Douglas Macmillan after his close friend James Bartlam was cared for at the hospice last January.

Nick said: "That did play a part in why I chose to donate to the hospice. But everybody in the area knows about the great work that the Douglas Macmillan do and I wanted to help keep that going. And of course it was also in memory of James."

The father-of-two died, aged 46, of prostate cancer in February last year.

His brother Julian, aged 54, from Ashley said: "Nick has been a family friend for years and was very close to my brother.

"I think it is commendable he has appeared on the show to raise money for the hospice. Nick and James were best buddies."

Hospice spokesman Peter Keller said: "We are all very grateful to Nick for choosing the Douglas Macmillan Hospice on this occasion.

"Particularly as it is a very important year for the hospice as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary.

"I tuned in to the programme and thought he did very well. But whatever amount he had raised we would all have been very proud of his efforts."

NICK HANCOCK'S GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS

1) Which gas has the chemical formula Co2? (Carbon Dioxide)

2) In Britain which herb is traditionally used with onion to make a stuffing for roast pork or duck? (Sage)

3) What do the letters GP stand for when you are referring to a medical doctor? (General practitioner)

4) Which of Shakespeare’s heroines have the surname of Capulet before she married a Montague? (Juliet)

5) Who announced the end of his playing career when he resigned as England’s test cricket captain in August 2012 (Andrew Strauss)

6) On which Radio 4 programme hosted by Nicholas Parsons do the panellists have to talk on a given subject for 60 seconds, without hesitation, repetition or deviation? (Just a Minute)

7) The cities of Rome and Lisbon are traditionally said to be built on how many hills? (Seven)

8) Which 1979 film starred Phil Daniels as Jimmy a teenager bored with his humdrum life who finds release in the fights between mods and rockers? (Quadrophenia)

9) What is the name of the hard white substance once used for piano keys that makes up the tusks of elephants? (Ivory)

10) Which political party leader entered parliament at the 2005 general election as the MP for Sheffield Hallam? (Pass – Nick Clegg)

11) Which fabric was blue for Bobby Vinton and black for Allannah Myles in the titles of their hit singles? (Velvet)

12) In Blackadder the Third what work by Dr Johnson does Edmund have to re-write in 24 hours after Baldrick appears to have put the original on the fire? (The dictionary)

13) Who revealed a T-shirt with the question “why always me” after scoring in his team’s 6-1 victory over Manchester United in October 2011? (Mario Balotelli)

14) Which cathedral in London has one of the world’s largest church domes? (St Paul’s)

15) What is the name of the model who inspired George Harrison to write the song “something” and Eric Clapton to write Layla? (Pattie Boyd)

16) In astronomy what was reduced from nine to eight as a result of a meeting in Prague in August 2006? (The number of planets)

17) In 1854 lieutenant Charles Lucas performed a brave act aboard the HMS Hecla by throwing a live shell overboard. He became the first person to be given which award for bravery? (The Victoria Cross)

18) St Helier is the principal town on which island? (Jersey)

19) Who wrote the stories about India on which the film Jungle Book was based? (Rudyard Kipling)