GRAYSHOTT Folk Club founder Des O’Byrne reached an audience of seven million when he took part in Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce’s Pop Master quiz.

He has now joined the elite band of contestants who might not have got all the questions right but have got the coveted ‘One Year Out’ T-shirt as a consolation prize.

“It is amazing how many people have told me they heard me on the radio and people have been e-mailing me from as far away as Perth in Scotland, the West Country and London town to say they were listening,” he said.

“Every day, more people reveal themselves as Pop Master fans. I didn’t exactly cover myself in glory but at least after many failed attempts, I finally got to go live on Pop Master and I can wear my ‘One Year Out’ T-shirt with a certain amount of pride-even though I was four years out and it is a little tight.

“I only learned I was definitely going to be on the show as the second contestant, about 10 minutes before I went on air live, so you can imagine how the adrenaline kicked in then.

“I’m not sure how many listeners Ken Bruce’s programme has, but it is a nerve -wracking situation to be in when you know you can muck up so badly. To be fair, there was only one question I should have done better on because I knew the answer should have been UB 40, when for some reason I said Level 42.

“I could have kicked myself afterwards.

“I got more publicity for Grayshott Folk Club from that brief appearance on Radio 2, than six whole years spent endlessly submitting countless articles to every website, newspaper and radio station I can think of.

“Grayshott Folk Club is my passion, but it has been a real rollercoaster of an adventure and you can never predict how well any one gig will go,” said Des.

“We do everything we can to maintain a high standard of musical experiences for people to enjoy in an intimate and welcoming setting.

“We’ve had really good audiences out to see folk acts Altan, The Henry Girls, Connla and Keston Cobblers’ Club and rock acts including The Strawbs, Caravan and Wishbone Ash.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing Fairport Convention’s Ric Sanders with his trio on Friday, November 25, and have a really festive gig lined up for Friday, December 16, with The Churchfitters.”

Both of those events are at Grayshott Village Hall.

Already confirmed for 2017 are return visits from Breabach and The Outside Track and top folk band Faustus will be at Grayshott Village Hall on Saturday April 1 – no fooling promises Des

He added: We are also looking forward to an appearance by Ezio/Booga, and Mike D’Abo will be coming along with his show ‘Manfred Mann, The Manfreds and other songs and stories’.”