Ricky Gervais sitcom was Stuart Fields' specialist subject

Stuart Field has been crowned 2023  Mastermind champion after answering questions on the Ricky Gervais sitcom Extras.

The comic sent a message of support to the Sheffield quizzer before the show.

He said: ‘I just wanted to wish you luck on Mastermind, answering questions on Extras. Have fun. And remember, it is not the winning, it is the taking part that counts. Although, if you don’t win you are technically a loser…’

Field, who won the final with 28 points, waited 20 years to apply to Mastermind. He said: ‘Mastermind is the only thing that I actually ever wanted to win, and when I was told that I had won the feeling was utterly astonishing. The bowl is now easily my most prized possession, as I know how hard I worked to win it.

‘Over the last 20 years I have put in thousands and thousands of hours of quiz "work" at home, although it has never seemed like work as it has been a labour of love for me.

‘I can’t thank my partner Elaine enough, for how much she helped me toward this amazing win and how patient she was throughout the years."

Host Clive Myrie added: ‘What a fantastic season of Mastermind it's been, ending with a bang and a great final with six amazing contenders.

‘Huge congratulations go to the new Mastermind Champion Stuart on a fantastic win. I can't wait to welcome more contenders for another season of Mastermind later this year.’

Several comedy shows were the focus of specialist subject rounds this year, including Detectorists, The Thick Of It, Ghosts and Only Fools and Horses. Field’s previous specialist subjects in the earlier stages were also drawn from pop culture,  answering questions on Jonathan Creek and the Jason Bourne films

The series is available on iPlayer.

Published: 25 Apr 2023