Mastermind host Clive Myrie reveals Jim Davidson sent him a back-handed compliment ahead of debut on BBC quiz
WHEN Clive Myrie landed the job fronting Mastermind he didn’t expect to have a well-wisher in the form of comedian Jim Davidson.
But that’s just what the old-school stand-up star did…even though it felt like something of back-handed compliment in the end.
Clive, who’s also on our screens reading the news and doing his own travelogue show round Italy, reveals the shock correspondence in his new memoir, Everything is Everything.
He wrote: “The comedian Jim Davidson was the last person I expected to get a well done and good luck message from.
“He was a man who made a living on stage and on television in the 1970s caricaturing black men, with a comic character named Chalky White.
“Davidson would put on an exaggerated West Indian accent, and in chronicling the character’s adventures, pandered to a stereotype of black laziness and mild drug-taking.
“So I was surprised when I was told he had posted a message of congratulations on his YouTube channel in the summer of 2021, after the announcement that I would be taking over from John Humphrys as the interrogator on the quiz show Mastermind.
“’Clive, a black man, is gonna be presenting Mastermind,’ he said, ‘and do you know what, I couldn’t think of a better person to do it.
“I’m thrilled for you, and please don’t take any notice of anyone who says it’s a box ticking exercise.’”
Clive has been presenting Mastermind and its spin off Celebrity Mastermind for the past two years since BBC veteran John Humphries retired from the job.
Most viewers seem to have seamlessly welcomed him into their living rooms, and he’s been popping up all over the place, most recently on his Italian Road Trip show for BBC2.
Clive seems to be doing just fine without Jim’s unqualified support.
BAKE Off’s John Whaite, Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, former Love Island star Dr Alex George and pop sensation Rachel Stevens are among the stars getting ready for this year’s Children in Need.
The four have donned their themed outfits and Pudsey Bear ears in the warm-up to the fundraising spectacular, which takes place on November 19.
It marks the 42nd television appeal to raise money for disadvantaged young people around the UK.
The new line-up of celebrity hosts will take to the screen between sketches, performances and documentary shorts.
Other stars due to take part in the evening of fundraising include Katie Piper, Jermaine Jenas, Big Zuu and Christine McGuinness.
Children In Need will air on November 17 from 7pm.
DAVINA MCCALL will kickstart her own version of Ant & Dec’s ‘Get Out Of Me Ear!’ on dating show My Mum, Your Dad on Tuesday.
The host asks the show’s kids to get stuck in by picking two of their parents to head out on a romantic date with a twist.
Influencing the action from behind-the-scenes through a mic hooked up to an earpiece worn by the restaurant’s waitress, who persuades Martin and Tolullah to feed each other fondue.
Davina said: “On this date unbeknown to them, the waiter was an actor and the kids were getting the waiter to ask really personal questions.
“That was really funny because the parents were like, ‘What’s with the waiter? The waiter’s so rude’.”
My Mum, Your Dad airs on Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1.
NETFLIX is adapting Roald Dahl’s book The Twits into a cartoon series.
It is the first time the humorous kids’ story, about a couple who are retired circus trainers and play practical jokes on each other, has been adapted for TV.
The Twits will be available to stream in 2025.
Col: I’m clothed in naked
COLEEN NOLAN will be keeping her kit ON during her 16-date Naked tour, despite confusion over its name.
The Loose Women star will kick off her UK appearances in Blackpool in February.
And while promotional snaps saw her posing in the buff, in a pink and gold teacup, she plans to stay dressed on stage.
She said: “I’ve called it ‘Naked’ because it kind of means to me vulnerable and exposed. But I’ve had people saying ‘Are you actually going to get naked?’
“And I’m like, if that makes you buy a ticket, then you’ll have to come and find out! And if it stops you buying a ticket, no I’m not!
“I’m very excited but I’m also scared to death.”