Chantal Thompson

A trainee solicitor from Bristol who appeared on Mastermind in 1990. Her father Richard Thompson had appeared on the programme in 1977. She gave early indications of being a potential winner, sweeping through her heat with 'The Life and Works of James Elroy Flecker' and her semi-final with 'The Life and Career of Montrose 1612-50'. However, disaster struck - Chantal arrived very late for the final, which was held in Glasgow, as her flight was delayed. With her nerves clearly affected by this, she only managed 12 on 'The Life and Works of Marcus Tullius Cicero' to be trailing at the halfway stage. However, she made an almost incredible recovery, coming back with a record-equalling 22 on general knowledge to set a target of 34 for David Edwards to beat, which he did, but to achieve runner-up position after being so far behind was still a remarkable feat.

By way of compensation, Chantal went on to win the Masterbrain tournament, contested between the winners and runner-up of Mastermind and Brain of Britain. Chantal's twin brother, Major Peter Thompson, went on to appear in Mastermind in 1994.