I have just seen the sport edition of Mastermind with Des Lynam occupying the Magnus Magnusson/John Humphrys seat and I still can’t believe it. I have never seen a TV presenter looking less relaxed. I stumbled across a review of this the other day which said the same thing at great length and I thought it must have been an exaggeration but if anything it was understating the sheer uncomfortableness of Des.
I reckon I could knock up a Des Lynam robot in my shed that would act more naturally. He spoke in a dull monotone leading to several calls for him to repeat questions. When he was on camera himself he looked like a startled rabbit, staring straight ahead. He appeared to be permanently on the verge of a panic attack. That taxi driver who went for an interview at the BBC and accidentally ended up on the news being asked about Apple’s new products looked a million times more comfortable on camera.
The whole programme was like a car crash: terrible to see but impossible not to stare at.
Totally agree! I can’t believe this has made it to broadcast. Des is completely ridiculous.
I have never rated him. Could not see what why he became “A nations favourite” bit like Trevor McDonald….very mediocre.
I could never adjust to the transition from Frank Bough to Des Lynam myself, but that’s not the point. Whether you like him or not, he has always looked at ease in front of the camera and not like a re-animated zombie.