Aarrgh. Immediately, though, Dee loses her footing. Bang, bang, bang. Three questions lay her low:

In Britain, in which month do the clocks go back by an hour? *******
In wartime Britain what day was celebrated on 8th May 1945? ** ***
In 'Treasure Island' which cook had a parrot called Captain Flint? **** **** *******

She’s down to 32.05 and Clive has barely answered a question and sports an imposing 53.15 seconds on his clock.

But then!

Clive fluffs this: How many records are guests allowed on radio's 'Desert Island Discs'? *****
Tries to switch: Which checked cotton fabric is named after the Malay word for 'striped'? ********

But it comes right back at him.

Thanks to this altercation, Dee has clawed back some time. Just 15 seconds separates them.

Clive seems rattled, unable to find his answer to this classic question:

Which Bronte sister wrote the novel 'Wuthering Heights'? *****

By the end, Dee has narrowed the gap considerably. Clives wins with just a 10.10 seconds advantage. It could’ve been worse. A lot worse.

It shows. She holds her own as stinger after stinger comes sailing out of the dark.

What is 728 ÷ 13? **
What is 6.9 - 4.2? ***
What is 15 squared? ***

Clive though is nothing short of supernatural. He answers instantly. No pause to think. Oh no – there was a slight detectable pause on this one:

What does y equal in this equation: 4y - 12 = 3y -1? **

Which New Romantic band had a number 9 UK hit with 'Rio' in 1982? ***** *****
What is the second book of the New Testament? ****

Clive is now shouting out his answers to the questions before The Questionner has finished even reading them out.

Newton and Leibnitz are both credited with discovering which branch of maths? ********
In Sinatra's song 'New York, New York', what word does he use to describe his shoes? *********

The randomness of the questions seems to unsettle them both. Clive triumphs – but only just. 10.66 on the timer. He goes into the break with 53 seconds total on his clock and no switches. Dee has a lot to do.

Which group was Russia's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest? ****
Who was the first to trek solo and unaided to the Geographic North Pole in May? *** *****
Which airline has the three-letter designator SIA? ********* ********

Switch Dee! Switch! Too late. Clive is too quick and manages to scrape the thinnest of wins. 0.27 seconds.

Which fish is hidden in this phrase: DON'T ASK A TEACHER? *****
Which British Prime Minister's name is an anagram of RECHARGE THAT TRAM? ******** ********
Separate the country from its currency: MDOIRROHCACMO? ******* ******