Rosie Jones, Jayde Adams, Jamie MacDonald, Sara Barron and Jo Coffey

Rosie Jones, Jayde Adams, Jamie MacDonald, Sara Barron and Jo Coffey are all taking part in the new series of Celebrity Mastermind.

The programme is moving to a  a new high-profile 8pm  Friday night slot on BBC One, starting on November 24.

Jones takes part in the first episode, answering questions on Victoria Wood’s sitcom Dinnerladies in her specialist subject round. 

She said: ‘I grew up watching Mastermind and it was a complete dream of mine to one day sit in that famous leather chair, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I had a hoot!’

Jones has previously hailed Wood as her comic inspiration, and said Dinnerladies  was ‘exceptionally written; every single line is a setup or a punchline’,

In a short film about Wood made by the National Portrait Gallery, Jones said: ‘She was the first woman that I saw on telly that properly made me laugh until I cried, and growing up and having such a strong passion for comedy I just grew to love her even more. And I mean, I wouldn’t be here, doing what I am doing if it wasn’t for Victoria Wood.’

Jones is up against Radio 1 DJ Gemma Bradley, Dan Gillespie Sells from the band The Feeling, and broadcaster Andy Goldstein in her episode. Their specialist subjects are the Iron Man films, songwriter Bernie Taupin and Martin Scorsese’s gangster film, Goodfellas, respectively.

Jayde Adams, right, is in the second episode, answering questions about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, while Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll is grilled on Robbie Keane; Drag Race UK queen Cheddar Gorgeous is tested on mythical creatures of the British Isles and Coach Trip's Brendan Sheerin on Barcelona’s Sagrada Família.

Of the other comedians, Jamie MacDonald will be asked questions on the Adrian Mole books of Sue Townsend, Sara Barron on the musical Guys & Dolls and Jo Coffey – who is also a star of Waterloo Road – on Dallas character J.R. Ewing

Host Clive Myrie said: ‘What I love about Celebrity Mastermind, is that our famous contenders are game for anything. Up for a grilling in the famous black chair. It's wonderful entertainment helping out their favourite charities. Game on!’

And  Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s head of entertainment added: ‘It is great having Celebrity Mastermind back in the schedules and with the brand new Friday spot. I am sure that viewers are looking forward to seeing more famous faces be put through their paces by Clive, as they raise money for their chosen charities.’

The rest of the series line-up – and their specialist subjects – are:

• Nick Pickard, Hollyoaks actor on Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Karen Bardsley, former Lioness on the films of Will Ferrell
• Harpz Kaur, radio presenter on Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh
• Terry Christian, broadcaster on Manchester United in the Tommy Docherty years
• Jane Hill, BBC News presenter on the music of Abba
• Mica Ven, Gogglebox star on the films of Eddie Murphy
• Dr Amir Khan, TV doctor, on the R&B group TLC
• Andrew Roachford, singer-songwriter on the music of Stevie Wonder
• Jason Mohammad, BBC Sport presenter on the films of Al Pacino
• Troy Deeney, professional footballer on Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy
• Jasmine Harman, A Place in the Sun presenter on Prince
• OJ Borg, BBC Radio 2 presenter, on the comedy franchise Wayne’s World
• Dana, singer, on UK hit singles from 1969 to 1976.

Published: 9 Nov 2023