The Headmaster, Mr Howe, could not wait to interview one of his own childhood heroes in an event that was open to all pupils, parents, staff, Old Vikings, local residents and other friends of the College. 

Alumni and Events Officer, Mrs Natalie Spearing, writes:  

‘An evening with Johnny Ball was always going to be a fun and illuminating night, but little did we know how much this esteemed mathematician and science legend would captivate the Shiplake audience. 

He started with a broad sense of introduction, which in every sense took us on a rollercoaster journey from his earliest school days where, as we found out, he only passed 2 O Levels (including a 100% pass in Maths!), to his stint as a Redcoat at Butlins Holiday Camp. 

Perhaps what was most surprising to those who knew Johnny in his later TV years on shows such as Think of a number – for which Johnny won a Bafta - was his near 15 years as a standup comedian. He shared pictures and promotional material with his name stacked alongside some of the greatest artists of that time – some of which included the Hollies and the Rolling Stones. 

While the comedy then took backstage, the jigsaw of his early life began to take shape as his deep passion and curiosity for science and maths collided with his sparky and somewhat magnetic personality. 

As the evening progressed, it was clear that he had captivated the audience. His ability to simplify and demystify complex maths equations led to gasps and claps from the crowd and even the youngest in the room were spellbound by his energy and enthusiasm. 

Peppered through the evening were practical demonstrations, memorably including the addition of his trusty assistant Mr Howe, adorned with a golden crown, holding a gold bar aloft, to share in a demonstration about the laws of displacement! 

As the evening drew to a close, a glance around the room showed the faces of the audience with every single person smiling. Whether you were a fan who had the fondest of childhood memories, or too young to know, he left everyone with an overwhelming feeling that if you put your mind to something, then you can achieve amazing things!’ 

For those who missed the event, or perhaps want to relive it all over again, you can now watch the show below in full.