Bexhill organist and choirmaster on Mastermind

The musician's extensive knowledge of the composer Herbert Howells stood him in good stead as his specialist subject when confronted by questionmaster John Humphrys.

Peter scored 13 in his opening round, screened on BBC2 on Monday night. It put him just one point behind the ultimate winner of Monday's contest, Anna Torpey.

At the end of a close-fought contest, Peter was joint second with 19 point's to Anna's 21.

The popular director of the1,200 year-old parish church's musical life since September 2005, he was assured of a bumper local audience of parishoners for Monday's screening.

He told the Observer later: "It is something I had always wanted to do. I have always had a fairly decent memory for facts and a good general knowledge."

Mastermind's "black chair" always looks a lonely and vulnerable spot so what is it like to take the seat?

"You kind of shut off your mind to the outside world and focus on what are doing. So can't see the audience. They are blacked out. So that helps.

"I was surprised. You are a long way from John Humphrys. It doesn't look like that when you are watching television. But up there seems like miles..."

Asked if he had done much research on Herbert Howells, Peter said: "I had read a few biographies of his and I have known his music since it was nine or 10. It's been an interest of mine for 15 years or so.

"I was pleased with my first-round score."

Mastermind was Peter's first major quiz. "When I was at university I tried to get on my University Challenge team but I didn't have any joy."