Mats Akkerman’s *De slimste mens* win coincides with Paulien Cornelisse’s final broadcast

Dutch journalist Mats Akkerman says the final episode of *De slimste mens* felt “very mixed”: it was both the moment his win became public and the last broadcast featuring presenter and writer Paulien Cornelisse, who died in September.

Cornelisse’s final episode aired on Friday, six weeks after her death. “It is strange when someone dies and then is on TV every day for six weeks,” Akkerman told ANP. “After tonight, it really feels like it’s over.”

Akkerman, a political reporter, said he had warm memories of filming with Cornelisse, describing her as dry, friendly and sharp. He said she had enjoyed taking part in the KRO-NCRV programme despite her illness.

The series was recorded in June, and Akkerman watched the broadcast with about 30 family members and friends at his regular pub in Amsterdam. He said he was glad that, after months of keeping the result secret, it could finally be announced.

Akkerman also said he played his first three episodes with a hangover after attending a stag party before filming. He won each of those episodes. He said he thought nerves might otherwise have kept him awake, and that his performance was worse on his next recording day, when he had no hangover.

He hopes winning will help his career, as he says it did for last year’s winner, colleague Frank. Akkerman said it would be welcome if the title led to more presenting work and invitations to appear on programmes.