Despite his trademark irony, which could have been used to startling Weakest Link effect, he adopts a friendly, sympathetic tone with the contenders - again a departure from the original quizmaster and a nod to Millionaire's Chris Tarrant.

BBC: Mastermind on speed

The effect is startling, unsettling and entirely convincing.

WSJ: 'Skyfall' Upgrades Bond to Triple-A | Film Review by Joe Morgenstern

This was perhaps to offset the effect of the startling bandages that covered some of it.

NEWYORKER: Shauntrelle