It’s hard for me to go to a normal pub quiz now because people expect me to know everything and I can’t risk them finding out the truth. I won’t go on Celebrity Mastermind for much the same reason. Every year, I do the brilliant Christmas pub quiz run by my friends [comedy writers] Shaun Pye and Alan Connor, as part of a team that goes by the hideous name of The Funnymen. It was a stupid joke name we took 20 years ago but I get terrified now that newcomers will think we’ve chosen it with some level of genuine self-description, especially now my husband’s joined the team. It sounds awful. And yet we can’t possibly change it because, I don’t mind telling you, that name is engraved on the cup. SEVERAL TIMES OVER. The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living -- Mao Zedong -- Snow White -- David Blaine Blue Whale [This is the sequence of specimens that have occupied the Natural History Museum’s famous Hintze Hall] About (or anything that can mean ‘Re’). [The clues indicate: There, Here, Ere…taking off the first letter of each time]

Only Connect: The Official Quiz Book - Penguin Books UK

April 1st-12th [the numbers are the positions of the first and last letters in the alphabet of each month. January: J is 10th; Y is 25th in alphabet.]

Retailers:

You have a huge fanbase from hosting Only Connect . What’s the strangest thing a fan has ever done?

Only Connect - Penguin Books UK

I don’t think so. Those are quite serious shows with authoritative, grownup hosts. I love Only Connect deeply but also find the trappings of a TV quiz inherently silly, which our contestants and viewers never mind me making clear. If I hosted one of those big beasts, I’d end up undermining them and upsetting the audience. It forms part of a quiz triple bill on Monday evenings , with Mastermind and University Challenge . Would you fancy hosting either of those some day? So limber up your frontal lobes, and get ready to pit your wits against the toughest quiz on TV. Read more Details Those who stumbled across the show have stayed and I think that’s because it has a sense of fun that isn’t a natural part of the appeal of other Monday night quiz favourites – University Challenge and Mastermind.”It depends what you mean by “famous” and what you mean by “best”. Phil Ivey is one of the most famous players in professional poker and probably the best I’ve played against, in terms of skill and flair. Of the people I’ve played who are famous for other things, Zac Goldsmith was probably the best at poker. But in terms of sitting across the table and thinking “Wow” for other reasons, that would be Steve Martin. Or perhaps Roger De Courcey [ventriloquist of Nookie Bear fame]. You haven’t asked who was the worst but I’ll tell you anyway. It was [darts player] Eric Bristow. And you can interpret that any way you like. Dennis Taylor (World Snooker champion) -- Bon Scott (Lead singer of AC/DC) -- Ken Livingston (Mayor of London) -- Lincoln and Kennedy (US presidents)

Only Connect Quizzes - rounds as seen in Only Connect Only Connect Quizzes - rounds as seen in Only Connect

With a healthy dose of trivia between games (What are the greatest ever Only Connect questions? Who is the best team of all time?) and an introduction by presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell, The Only Connect Quiz Book will take you skills to a new level. There might not be big prize money on Only Connect, just a trophy and a slightly awkward presentation ceremony, but for the teams who do triumph – and I promise this year’s final is a real nail-biter – the winning alone is enough.” Does a saucepan count as a gadget? I bought one of those recently. I was delighted. I’ve been using the same two scratchy old saucepans for about 20 years, just because they aren’t literally broken. It’s a really liberating moment when you allow yourself to upgrade.I don’t think any of those particular ones are for me. I’m a big fan of Strictly as a viewer. This year, we’re very nervously and proudly watching Robert Webb in it, but he’s a fantastic dancer. I’d be awful and not even in a fun way. People would just pity me and look away awkwardly. And there’s another I’m thinking about around words that all look the same but are pronounced differently. That’s the great thing about the show, no topic is off limits.” Are there any other TV contests you’d fancy taking part in? You know, Celebrity MasterChef , Strictly Come Dancing , I’m a Celebrity… , that SAS one…