CELTIC fan John Savage proved no-one is more fanatical about facts and figures than a football supporter as he cruised into the Mastermind semi-final with the history of the Parkhead side as his specialist subject.

Mr Savage, from Polmont, Stirlingshire, is the first con-testant in the BBC quiz show's history to choose Celtic for the specialist round.

As the last of four contestants to sit in the famous black chair, Mr Savage racked up 11 points and no passes as he answered questions on his beloved club. He only stumbled on three questions, mistakenly saying Celtic finished fourth, not fifth in the 1977 season and confusing the Grant and Ferguson stands. He also mixed up Henrik Larsson and Shunsuke Nakamura in a question on player of the year plaudits.

After finishing a close second in the specialist round, Mr Savage, 52, raced to victory in the general knowledge stage to finish with 25 points, no passes, and answering just five questions incorrectly.

Mr Savage was up against fellow Scots Ann Yourston, a pet sitter from Penicuik, who chose the life and work of Gerald Durrell as her specialist subject, as well as retired financial consultant Tony Wheeler, whose specialisist subject was the life and work of Ian Dury and mature student Rob Hymer, who specialist subject was the Red Army 1941-45.

The tool salesman earlier revealed he wore Celtic cufflinks during the recording.