Picture this – you make it all the way to sitting in the iconic Mastermind chair and leave the game having scored just 10 points. Sadly that was the reality for Emmerdale’s Danny Miller this week, and he wasn’t best pleased with his performance!
The much-loved actor, 34, has played Aaron Dingle in the ITV soap intermittently since 2008 and has been at the centre of multiple huge storylines over the years.
From his turbulent relationship with Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) – which sparked a #Robron fan frenzy on social media – to an exploration of his past with an abusive father, he’s wowed audiences with his honest and raw performances.
But he should’ve scrubbed up on his general knowledge, and indeed his specialised subject, before he faced the tough questions from quizmaster Clive Myrie in Monday’s edition of the BBC show.
It’s been on air since 1972, and during that time we’ve seen a number of blunders from contestants who dared to pit their wits against three other players.
Who remembers when one player thought activist Greta Thunberg’s name was Sharon?
Danny faced some tough competition from presenter Josie d’Arby, forecaster Elizabeth Rizzini and BBC Asian Network’s Qasa Alom, ultimately coming in last place.
And he wasn’t a happy bunny.
Each of the celebrities appears to raise cash for a much-needed cause, and Danny chose Once Upon a Smile, which helps people with bereavement support. He has long been associated with the charity and organises an annual ball to support them.
With 90 seconds on the clock, he had to answer questions based on his specialised subject of writer and playwright, Julia Donaldson, who is best known for penning children’s smash hit The Gruffalo.
After picking up a fairly respectable seven points, he then had two minutes to add to the total in the general knowledge round – but managed to get just three correct.
When Clive crowned Elizabeth the winner, he slumped back into his chair and looked visibly pained by his efforts – and it didn’t go unnoticed by fans on social media.
‘Danny Miiller – such a good sport. Not. #dannymiller #celebritymastermind’ joked one viewer, with another adding: ‘The guy from Emmerdale. Sulking. Pathetic.’
‘How p**sed off was that Danny Miller bloke!!!’ laughed one.
‘Danny’s not bovvvvered #CelebrityMastermind’ said another, seemingly quoting Catherine Tate’s sketch show character Lauren, who was famed for her ‘Am I bothered?’ catchphrase.
He’s set to have an eventful few weeks ahead in Emmerdale village, as Aaron becomes one of the suspects in the death of paedophile Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day).
Anthony will be shot dead in upcoming scenes, following the reveal that he abused his daughter Ruby (Beth Cordingly) when she was a teenager.
Relating it to his own childhood, he’s out for revenge.
‘He knows the difference of scared looks from his experience and that’s exactly what he sees in Ruby – is himself’ Danny told us.
‘He is instantly aggressive and destined for revenge, for Ruby, of course, but he sees his chance to level with [his dad] Gordon who took “the cowards way out” as Aaron calls it – killing himself in prison.
‘I think it’s pure disgust and dread as to how he’ll deal with this and bringing back so many evil and dark memories for Aaron that he’d suppressed for so many years.’
Is Aaron the killer?
