You’re in the top 1% if you score full marks in my famous pub quiz which even leaves Stephen Fry stumped
WHEN Jay Flynn sat in front of his computer screen to deliver a lockdown quiz for a "few friends", he was unaware that his life would be changed forever.
Instead of a small number, he was greeted by hundreds of thousands of people after accidentally making the online invite open to everyone rather than private.
It set in motion an unimaginable path that saw Jay raise £1.3million for charity, receive an MBE from Prince William and even earn praise from Boris Johnson.
Since his first online quiz in 2020 when Britain's first lockdown was announced, more than 20 million households have tuned in and he's had a roster of celebrity cameos too.
The 40-year-old has co-hosted with Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross and Matt Smith, and had half-time performances from Gary Barlow and Rick Astley.
It's a far cry from his life back in 2009 when he spent years sleeping homeless on a park bench, near London's Embankment tube station.
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Now his remarkable life story is being turned into a film, currently due to be named 'The Quizmaster'.
He told The Sun: "Everything that's happened is very surreal. I never did this for recognition or awards."
To celebrate, Jay's shared a special quiz for Sun readers so you can test your knowledge with pals - write down your answers and check if they are right below.
1) TV round
A. What was the name of Channel 5’s attempt at British soap opera?
B. In which soap would you find the Mill Health Centre?
C. Shown for 2915 episodes, what was the name of the soap set in a close in Liverpool?
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D. What colour shorts does Bart Simpson wear?
E. Which pub name links the TV series Minder and the film Shaun of The Dead?
F. What is the name of Postman Pat's cat?
G. How many boxes were used in the original Deal Or No Deal?
H. The Great British Bake Off originally started on which UK channel in 2010?
I. Which former Coronation Street actress starred as Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley?
J. SMTV Live was presented by Cat Deeley and which entertainment duo?
2) Film round
A. Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart are characters in which film?
B. The film 10 Things I Hate About You is based on which Shakespeare play?
C. What was the name of the character John Travolta played in Pulp Fiction?
D. Which musical would you find the characters Jenny Lind, Phillip Carlyle and Anne Wheeler?
E. Which Superman actor starred in the 2018 Mission Impossible film?
F. Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and John Malkovich start in which 1997 blockbuster, set onboard an aeroplane?
G. “You can’t handle the truth!” was shouted by Jack Nicholson in which movie?
H. Gizmo was a cute and cuddly creature in which Eighties movie?
I. “In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream” is the tagline to which movie?
J. Who starred as John Kimble, an undercover policeman working in a kindergarten?
'I thought I'd be a footnote in an obituary'
BEFORE Jay's unpredictable rise to fame, he spent two years sleeping rough after suffering depression following a break-up in 2007.
He chose a park bench near Embankment, to be "far enough away" that his homelessness "wouldn't affect people" in London.
Instead of begging, Jay roamed the streets looking for spare change on the floor and when he was lucky enough to find a £1 coin, would buy three packets of custard creams.
His life was turned around when he awoke to find a card under his head from the charity .
They provided him with clean clothes, a shower, access to temporary housing, a crisis loan and mental health support.
"I owe everything to them," Jay told The Sun. “If they had not found me when they did I’m convinced we would not be having this conversation. I’d be a footnote in an obituary somewhere.
"I’ve always said I’d pay them back both emotionally and mentally, and over the last two years, I feel like I’m on the way to repaying that debt."
From there, Jay moved to Darwen, Lancashire, where he ran The Crown pub and loved entertaining visitors with his pub quiz.
When the nation's first lockdown was announced, he decided to take it online - and was gobsmacked that so many people tuned in.
Jay's virtual quizzes took off and were supported by a long list of celebrities and public figures, including the Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson said: "On behalf of the whole country, and thousands of your participants stretching right across the globe, thank you for lifting our spirits at this time."
Ultimate quizmaster Stephen Fry, who used to present QI, said: "Jay is Q – the quizmaster’s quizmaster.
"His achievements form one of the happiest and most hopeful stories to have emerged from the madness of lockdown."
The Sun accompanied Jay as he returned to the bench where he slept to see a plaque that had been installed.
It reads: "Number 3, Riverside View. This bench was home to Jay Flynn from Jay's Virtual Pub Quiz. He proves you are not alone and there is always hope."
During the visit, Jay had an emotional reunion with Pete Mason, pictured above, who was the first person from The Connection to help him.
The charity worker told him: "You deserve everything that comes your way."
But for Jay, the true heroes are those like the people at The Connection who help people in need every day.
Reflecting on his achievements, the quizmaster said: "Everything from the MBE to the plaque is incredible.
"But the most important thing to me was giving people something to look forward to. That’s what really matters.”
3) Music round
A. Who was the last UK act to win Eurovision?
B. Daft Punk teamed up with which artist on the track Get Lucky?
C. Ian Brown and John Squire were part of which band?
D. Grace Kelly, Big Girl and Happy Ending were hits for which artist?
E. UK dance act Bus Stop released Kung Fu Fighting in 1998, but who recorded the original?
F. Name the band from the album titles, The Number Of The Beast, Piece Of Mind and Powerslave?
G. Who was the first Beatle to have a solo No1?
H. Jazz legend Miles Davis was famous for playing which instrument?
I. What street links a Gerry Rafferty song and Sherlock Holmes?
J. In which 1978 music video would you find a cowboy, a construction worker, a policeman and an American Indian chief?
4) Sport round
A. "Agueroooooooo!" Everyone knows who scored the goal that gave Man City the title in 2012 but who gave him the assist?
B. What was the name of the ill-fated football highlights show that ITV put out when they won the rights from the BBC?
C. Which manager said this? "I'll tell you, honestly, I will LOVE it if we beat them. LOVE IT."
D. The traditional Claret Jug is a trophy awarded to the winner of which sporting event?
E. Name the Formula One driver from this list of teams that he's raced for: Williams, Benetton, Renault, BAR Honda, Brawn, McLaren?
F. What role did Dickie Bird used to have in cricket?
G. Who is the most successful Olympian of all time?
H. AP McCoy finally won the Grand National on which horse?
I. Which rugby league side plays their matches at the Totally Wicked Stadium?
J. Which motor race is held on an island course with a distance of 37.73 miles?
5) General Knowledge round
A. Who is Reginald Dwight better known as?
B. In which city is the UK’s largest cathedral?
C. Which was the first British bank to bring in an ATM?
D. The Great Fire of London started in what? A bakery, The Houses of Parliament or St Paul's Cathedral?
E. Mount Everest lies in which mountain range?
F. What is the name of the first book of the Old Testament?
G. In which book would you find the character Phileas Fogg?
H. 'Flossing', 'Take The L' and 'Fresh' are dance moves in which video game?
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I. Shuffle, Classic and Touch are variations of what?
J. In the Peanuts cartoon strip, what does Linus always carry?
Answers to Jay Flynn's quiz for Sun readers
HOW do you think you did? Mark yourself out of 50.
- TV ROUND: A. Family Affairs; B. Doctors; C. Brookside; D. Blue; E. The Winchester; F. Jess; G. 22; H. BBC2; I. Sarah Lancashire; J. Ant and Dec.
- FILM ROUND: A. Chicago; B. The Taming Of The Shrew; C. Vincent Vega; D. The Greatest Showman; E. Henry Cavill; F. Con Air; G. A Few Good Men; H. Gremlins; I. Aliens; J. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- MUSIC ROUND: A. Katrina And The Waves; B. Pharrell Williams; C. The Stone Roses; D. Mika; E. Carl Douglas; F. Iron Maiden; G. George Harrison; H. Trumpet; I. Baker Street; J. Y.M.C.A.
- SPORT ROUND: A. Mario Balotelli; B. The Premiership; C. Kevin Keegan; D. British Golf Open Championship; E. Jenson Button; F. Umpire; G. Michael Phelps; H. Don’t Push It; I. St Helens R.F.C; J. The Isle Of Man TT.
- GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ROUND: A. Elton John; B. Liverpool; C. Barclays; D. A Bakery; E. Himalayas; F. Genesis; G. Around The World In 80 Days; H. Fortnite; I. The iPod; J. A blanket.