‘Jacked’: Mastermind host stuns fans with jaw-dropping gym photos

Mastermind Australia’s quizmaster has left fans in shock after he shared a series of “thirst traps” which showed off his hidden muscles.

Move over Chris Hemsworth – there’s a new bundle of muscles in town, and it’s someone you may not expect to be so “jacked”.

Marc Fennell, the host of Mastermind Australia, has sent his almost 60,000 Instagram and TikTok followers into a spin after sharing a number of jaw-dropping photos that showed off his muscles.

The 39-year-old, who is also an award-winning ABC journalist and podcaster, was marking his return to the gym after being on the road filming – and has left many in shock at the “jacked” snaps.

Mastermind host and award-winning journalist Marc Fennell has stunned fans with a series of jaw-dropping gym photos. Picture: Instagram/MarcFennell

“Was not expecting thirst traps from Mark Fennell today. You look great,” one responded.

“Wow, is that the same Mark Fennell I’m watching hosting mastermind??” chipped another.

As one declared: “Your boy got jacked!!”

“The real question is, did you steal the ‘gains’ from the British?” another teased, referencing his successful podcast and TV show, Stuff The British Stole.

“Time to give Thor Hemsworth an arm wrestle I think young Marc!” said someone else.

The various photos show Fennell in an array of different activities at the gym, including adding weights to a barbell and using an exercise machine.

He can also be seen bench pressing in one.

“Fighting off middle age,” he captioned the images on TikTok.

‘Was not expecting thirst traps from Marc Fennell,’ one declared. Picture: Instagram/MarcFennell

‘Your boy got jacked,’ said another. Picture: Instagram/MarcFennell

He shared the ‘thirst traps’ to document his return to the gym after being on the road filming. Picture: Instagram/MarcFennell

Fennell took over as “quizmaster” on Mastermind Australia after Jennifer Byrne stepped down as host in 2021.

He had previously appeared on the show as a fill-in host in 2019 and starred as a celebrity contender, stating at the time he was announced as the new host that his experience meant he knows “first-hand how intimidating it can be”.

“While I may be the one holding the questions, I truly marvel at the gumption of the contenders. It’s going to be intense,” he told SBS.

“The best part of being the quizmaster is seeing the wild diversity of obsessions and topics that the contenders bring with them.”

Fennell won a prestigious Walkley Award in 2020 for his journalism work on Stuffed, a TV documentary that delved into the biggest museum theft in Australia’s history.

Originally published as ‘Jacked’: Mastermind host stuns fans with jaw-dropping gym photos