THE winner of Superbrain 2017 is retired civil servant Ian Dodds from Gateshead, in his fifth outright success since 2009.

“It’s an addiction,” he said. “Every year I say I will not do it again, but every year it comes out and there I am.

“This year was definitely more challenging, partly because I know how devious the quizmaster is so I don’t think there were any categories that I felt comfortable with.”

Superbrain is the North-East toughest trivia quiz, and has been running for more than 30 years.

It appeared with The Northern Echo on Christmas Eve, and it was compiled by multiple past winner David Chisholm, of Newton Aycliffe, who has accepted as many alternative answers as possible.

Ian scored 283 points and carried off the £250 first prize. He was three points ahead of his nearest rival, Alan Perry, of Durham City. Ian was also King of the Pictures, plus winner of the Pop round – he was the only person who knew it the answer to Pop 14, that it was The Stranglers who were denied a number one hit because of a mix-up with The Police.

“The numbers for their record sales were miscounted and as a result, The Police, led by Sting, topped the charts,” explained Ian. “I found the answer in an interview with The Stranglers.”

Mr Perry also won the General Knowledge round, but there were new names among the other £25 category winners. TV and Film was won by Steve Smith, of Middlesbrough. Edward Casey, of Billingham, won Sport; Sandi Wood, of Darlington, won Literature; and Graham Perry, of Framwellgate Moor, won North-East.

Congratulations to all our winners – cheques will be despatched soon. Many thanks to everyone who entered and to the quizmaster.