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University Challenge fans have blasted the BBC for ‘dumbing down’ the show after airing the Christmas special this week.
On Tuesday evening, the show saw Amol Rajan back as a presenter, with several famous faces on the panel.
Teams included alumni from UCL and Leeds who were desperate for a second chance to be crowned University Challenge champions – including BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri and impressionist Alistair McGowan.
But fans were left disappointed and claimed the show was ‘dumbed down’, with some even taking to X to share their thoughts.
One penned: ‘The magic of Christmas University Challenge is that the viewer can answer more easier questions than usual… #UniversityChallenge.’
Another shared: ‘Love alumni #UniversityChallenge. It’s easer than the normal one and I come into my own! I’m the winner on all low brow stuff in our house.’
University Challenge fans have blasted the BBC for ‘dumbing down’ the show after airing the Christmas special this week
On Tuesday evening, the show saw Amol Rajan back as a presenter, with several famous faces on the panel
A third commented: ‘Crikey think I got about 20 right tonight which is not unusual #UniversityChallenge.’
Others called out Amol for repeatedly scolding the teams and barking ‘no conferring!’ as he told them off again and again.
One viewer wrote: ‘#universitychallenge stop shouting at them, Amol,’ while someone else said: ‘#universitychallenge ooh he’s grumpy tonight isn’t he old host boy!’
In recent weeks, viewers hit out at a ‘miserable’ team they claimed ‘needed a lesson in sportsmanship’ following a brutal snub to their on-screen rivals.
During a December 1 episode of the BBC quiz featured a team from the University of Manchester against the London School of Economics (LSE).
By the end of the contest, host Amol revealed Manchester had won with 160 points to LSE’s 135.
But fans were left disappointed and claimed the show was ‘dumbed down’, with some even taking to X to share their thoughts
The instalment’s final moments saw Manchester’s captain Madgwick lead his team over to graciously shake hands with the runners-up.
However, taking to X, fans watching at home branded the losing LSE side as ‘miserable’.
Last month, University Challenge viewers were left asking ‘can someone check he’s still alive?!’ after a contestant ‘passed out’ during the show.
Southampton and Imperial faced off for a quarter-final spot – but the audience was soon distracted by Keung, a member of the Imperial team.
As Amol asked an astrophysics question, the contestant placed his head down on the team’s table.
One viewer wrote on X: ‘Has something happened to Keung someone check he’s still alive there.’
Another added: ‘Keung was just recharging a few minutes back.’
A third shared: ‘Someone give Keung a prod #universitychallenge.’
University Challenge airs Mondays on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.
