OXFORDSHIRE’S brainboxes have been auditioning for a chance to show off their knowledge on TV’s most famous black chair.

Mastermind researchers grilled scores of people on a wide range of general knowledge subjects to see who has what it takes to challenge for the title.

The successful few will be put under the spotlight by presenter John Humphrys, who replaced Magnus Magnusson in 2003.

Candidates each answered 20 questions at the Old Bank Hotel, in High Street, on Wednesday and Thursday.

BBC researcher Sue Wardrop was on hand to test prospective contestants.

She said: “We don’t expect people to get every question right.

“They cover a broad range of subjects and it is very unlikely that people will know the answers to everything.

“That said, we do hope that people don’t get every question wrong.”

Potential contestants answered a quickfire general knowledge quiz before having an informal chat about specialist subjects.

One man taking part in the auditions knew more than most what to expect, because he made the finals five years ago.

Writer Rob Hemming, 54, from Evesham, lost by just a point in 2005 when he took questions on his specialist subject, Clint Eastwood.

He said: “The auditions are a great deal less nerve-racking than sitting in the black leather chair. That was terrifying.

“It was quite funny because the person before me was answering questions on some obscure French poet and I had Clint Eastwood.

“I think they went quite well and now I just have to wait and see.”

Oxford has produced some notable Mastermind contestants, including 2008 champion, Nancy Dickmann.

The 33-year-old, from Edgeway Road, Marston, became a mother only four weeks before the first round of the competition was filmed.

Last year Colin Wilson made the semi finals by answering questions on his favourite fighters.

The 37-year-old, from Green Road, Kidlington, chose boxing world heavyweight champions from 1882 to 1929 as his specialist subject.

BBC researcher Richard Morgale added: “We encourage quiz fans to have a go.

“Lots of people worry that Mastermind will be too difficult, but you might be surprised by the level of your knowledge.”