IT was second tine lucky for a determined quizzer who was crowned Mastermind champion four years after agonisingly losing out in the final.

73-year-old Brian Chesney, who lives in Malvern, triumphed in the famous quiz show scoring a total of 32 points.

It was the number of passes which stopped Mr Chesney getting his hands on the trophy last time and he was determined for history to not repeat itself.

“I said that this year I’m not going to pass any questions. I’m going to say something even if it is silly," he said.

"It was fantastic to win. I've had lots and lots of congratulations. People have come up to me and said we saw you on the TV and how happy they were for me."

Mr Chesney's specialist subject in the grand final, which aired on Good Friday (March 30), was The Revolt of the Netherlands 1568-1609, a subject he chose for the chance to travel to the country to record a film for the show.

"I suppose it's a subject that not many people know much about which I thought I could use to my advantage," he said.

“One of the great things about being retired is that you have the time to put the work in.

"If you can get a real rhythm going it becomes a lot easier.

“With the general knowledge, you either know it or you don’t but with the specialist subject you do have to put the work in."

Whilst sitting in the famous chair has often unsettled many contestants, Mr Chesney did not feel the pressure.

"I don't really get anxious, in fact, I felt quite comfortable. I thought to myself this is my space."

"When you've sat down it goes completely dark so you can't see anything. You just see John Humphrys' face. You just have to get on with it."

Mr Chesney previously answered questions on the life of Harold Wilson and the Giordano Bruno novels of SJ Parris.

Mr Chesney is now waiting to see if he has been chosen for the new series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?