AN ESTATE agent took up the challenge to prove he was no Bungalow Bill when he went head to head with TV brain Carol Vorderman.

Millions tuned into ITV last night to see Carol grill Bill Honeywell and 11 other contestants, trying to find Britain's Brainiest Estate Agent.

And Bill, who obviously has brains upstairs, sailed through the first two rounds of general knowledge but met his match in the final.

He eventually finished runner-up -- because everyone kept pinching his questions.

The final round includes questions on the contestant's specialist subject and Bill said his -- the solar system -- was "too general".

If you pick a fellow contestant's subject and answer it correctly you get more points.

He said: "I had five questions in the final and I answered them all correctly but I couldn't get my points up.

"The solar system is quite easy if you are good at general knowledge and the other finalists kept picking that and getting them right.

"The other subjects were 'live performances of the Beatles' and 'the history of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club'.

"Unfortunately I'm not too good on either of those but I'm satisfied with my performance."

As a seasoned estate agent Bill, owner of Honeywell Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents, in Castle Gate, Clitheroe, is more than used to fielding questions and being centre-stage.

And even though the pressure was magnified and the questions were coming from host Carol Vorderman in front of a studio audience, he still kept his cool. The 49-year-old father-of-two, said: "It wasn't nerve-racking at all; it was actually good fun.

"We were treated really well and Carol Vorderman was very nice. She was very professional of course but also very friendly."

Pub quiz-fan Bill, who is known to be something of a "brainbox" said he was goaded into entering the show by his lettings manager Angela Windsor.

After an audition over the telephone and a screen-test in Manchester, Bill's application was accepted, beating off more than 1,000 hopefuls.

Last month he, along with wife Val, was whisked off to London for the two-hour filming.

And for his efforts Bill, of West Bradford will be awarded a special trophy.

Carol also paid tribute to the quality of the contestants.

The Countdown star said: "These are just normal members of the public and its incredible how much some of them know.

"I think people will be surprised and impressed.

"It takes time and effort to be this good." FIVE QUESTIONS ON BILL'S SPECIALIST SUBJECT:

1On which planet is the Great Red Spot?

2What is the name of the current mission on target for a close encounter with Saturn?

3Which gas makes up most of the atmosphere of Venus?

4Who discovered the planet Uranus?

5Name the two moons of Mars.

ANSWERS 1 Jupiter. 2 The Cassini-Huygens mission (Cassini). 3 Carbon dioxide. 4 Sir William Herschel. 5 Phobos and Deimos.