Jude Bellingham’s beloved Mastermind grandad was my French teacher | UK | News

England star Jude Belligham’s beloved grandfather has been revealed as a former competitor on the iconic BBC quiz show Mastermind. Schoolmaster and French teacher William Bellingham took the specialist subject of the “History of Nigeria 1900 to 1966” when he faced the questions from host Magnus Magnusson during an appearance in 1987.

He scored an impressive 15 correct answers out of 17 and didn’t pass on a single question.

William, who died in 2020, has been spoken of with great fondness by his England legend grandson Jude who said he was “an Englishman through and through” and that “he was so patriotic”.

The schoolteacher, who is the father of Jude’s dad Mark, served in the British Army before working for Guinness in Nigeria. He later taught at Southend High School for Boys, in Essex, until he retired in 1995.

Former pupil James Mead, 53, a chartered surveyor, from Wandsworth, London, was a pupil of Jude’s grandfather who was his French teacher at the time he went on Mastermind.

Mr Mead said: “He didn’t tell us he was going to do it. We only found out from watching the show.

“Mr Bellingham was a brilliant French teacher. Very strict, incredibly smart and very well liked and admired.

“He had incredibly far reaching knowledge on so many subjects and had extremely exacting standards and high expectations from his pupils. He was an absolute bedrock of my school.

“But I should say, despite being very strict, he also had a twinkle in his eye. He was a very kind and supportive man.”

Jude and The Three Lions sadly lost 2-1 against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Midfielder Bellingham took to Instagram and shared a four-page poem written by team driver Michael Chandler, who he said was based with the squad in Kansas.

Alongside the poem, titled The Lions Way, the footballer wrote: “Was really struggling to find the right words for yesterday and the last few weeks but this pretty much hits the nail on the head from our driver in Kansas.

“Thank you for the unbelievable support from back home and to those who spent their hard earned money to travel to America and get behind us.

“Don’t let the unity and love we’ve seen in our country end with this campaign. When we’re together we can achieve big things… And we will! Love yous!”