Carenza Danko made an impression on University Challenge viewers this week with her no-nonsense attitude and ruthless manner with her teammates.
The student, who appeared on the BBC programme on Monday evening, has been branded ‘the real life Hermione Granger’ after pulling off something unexpected in a now-viral moment.
During the segment, team captain Danko from Cardiff University admitted that she hadn’t actually heard a question, which concerned a 16th-century monarch, before buzzing in to answer it.
Despite missing part of the high-stakes starter question, she courageously took a stab and nailed it with the right answer, correctly guessing Mary, Queen of Scots.
The moment sparked a lot of conversation on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), for how bold and lucky it was, and some viewers took to the social media platform to praise her for her confident attitude.
But others branded her ‘obnoxious and insufferable’ for her assertive approach to leadership as she dominated her team.
University Challenge contestant Carenza Danko has been branded ‘the real life Hermione Granger’ as she stole the show after pulling off something unexpected – and, yes, the moment went viral
During the segment, team captain Danko from Cardiff University admitted that she hadn’t actually heard part of a question, which concerned a 16th-century monarch
One wrote: ‘Danko is full of confidence.’; ‘You know Danko wasn’t chosen as captain, she said she was the captain!’;
‘I think Danko was such a fun team captain, for some reason I love her lol.’; ‘Danko – real life Hermione granger.’
Meanwhile, others accused her of talking to her teammates like a ‘primary school teacher.’
One wrote: ‘Danko of Cardiff seems absolutely insufferable.’; ‘Danko’s giving off school prefect vibes.’;
‘Danko talking like a primary school teacher.’; ‘Danko will be holding an inquiry about the team’s performance… good luck lads.’
The results of the quiz were a close call as Bristol finished top of the leaderboard with 118 points, whereas the Cardiff team scored 115 points.
As the episode was wrapping up, host Amol Rajan, 42, said: ‘Cardiff, it’s such bad luck, you never quite got going.
‘But we so enjoyed watching you try to work out answers. You came up with some very inventive ones, even though they were wrong.
‘You were up against a very, very strong performance by a brilliant team. Well done, Bristol.
Despite missing part of the high-stakes starter question, she courageously took a stab and nailed it with the right answer, correctly guessing Mary, Queen of Scots
The moment sparked a lot of conversation on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), for how bold and lucky it was, and viewers took to the social media platform to praise her for her confident attitude
Meanwhile, others were not so impressed and took to social media to blast her as ‘insufferable’ for talking to her teammates like a ‘primary school teacher.’
‘That was comprehensive and hugely impressive, and we shall certainly see you again.’
Not only is Danko a quiz whiz, but she also studies Biochemistry and regularly performs in plays.
Last year, she performed as The Clown in one of the most popular Shakespearean comedies, Act One’s Twelfth Night: An Elaborately Tangled Web of Displaced Desire.
Meanwhile, in December last year, Cardiff University’s Healthcare Drama Society took to the stage to perform a thrilling production of Blood Brothers at the Llanover Arts Centre.
The production raised money for the student-led charity and society, Make a Smile.
In the play adaptation of Willy Russell’s musical Blood Brothers, Danko starred as Mrs Lyons, a hilarious upper-class housewife.
University Challenge airs on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.
