Since landing on the BBC in 1994, University Challenge viewers have seen several memorable contestants walk through its doors.
The game show sees the best young minds in the UK compete in a knockout tournament, answering questions on a wide range of cultural and academic topics.
The programme initially aired on ITV from 1962 to 1987, with Bamber Gascoigne as host.
The BBC then revived the show with Jeremy Paxman at the helm, and he starred on the show from 1994 to 2023.
In 2023, Amol Rajan then took over the role from Jeremy and has been the host ever since, welcoming a range of quirky players from universities across the UK.
Here Daily Mail takes a look back at some of the most memorable BBC boffins who stole the show.
Since landing on the BBC in 1994, University Challenge viewers have seen several remarkable contestants walk through its doors. Here Daily Mail takes a look back at some of the most memorable BBC boffins who stole the show (host Amol Rajan pictured)
Ted Loveday (2015)
10 years ago, Ted Loveday, a law student who was in his third year at Gonville and Caius College, took less than three seconds to name the ancient Greek term for an expression which is only found once in literature
10 years ago, Ted Loveday, a law student who was in his third year at Gonville and Caius College, was hailed as the ‘best ever contestant’ on University Challenge after he helped his Cambridge team to victory in the grand final.
They triumphed 205-105 over Oxford’s Magdalen College, who hoped to become the BBC’s most successful team of all time.
In one impressive moment, Ted took less than three seconds to name the ancient Greek term for an expression which is only found once in literature.
Before host Jeremy could finish his question, Ted beamed as he eagerly pressed his buzzer, confirming the answer to be: ‘Hapax legomenon’.
Viewers were astounded by his general knowledge prowess – but the law student admitted that he had help from some unlikely sources.
Ted revealed after his team’s triumph that they had revised for the programme by watching YouTube videos and researching possible questions on Wikipedia.
The team’s victory was largely thanks to Ted, who provided the correct response to 10 ‘starter for 10’ questions posed by presenter Jeremy Paxman.
His range of expert topics ranged from foreign languages to economics and politics, via science and classical music.
Oscar Powell (2015)
University Challenge contestant Oscar Powell went viral on Twitter in 2015 for his never-ending array of hilarious facial expressions during the show
University Challenge contestant Oscar Powell went viral on Twitter in 2015 for his never-ending array of hilarious facial expressions during the show.
Oscar, who was a geological sciences student at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge, kept viewers entertained for hours once the show had ended and ‘won not only #universitychallenge but the nation,’ according to one Twitter user.
During the show, Oscar could barely sit still in his seat and proceeded to send his eyebrows into overdrive, scratching his head, chewing his fingers, and gasping excitedly.
His hilarious habits ended up becoming a bit too much for his teammates as they attempted to stifle their laughs throughout the show – and failed terribly.
Eric Monkman (2017)
In 2017, Eric Monkman, who was a student at Cambridge University, became a national treasure on University Challenge for his intense facial expressions and high levels of enthusiasm
In 2017, Eric Monkman, who was a student at Cambridge University, became a national treasure on University Challenge for his intense facial expressions and high levels of enthusiasm.
His memorable appearance on the show even sparked its own hashtag #Monkmania on Twitter, and viewers went wild for his quick-fire answers.
In one hilarious moment on the show, host Jeremy asked both teams: ‘The atomic number of Sulphur is 16, what is the sum of the atomic numbers of the four elements whose symbols spell the word snob?’
Both teams appeared flabbergasted and stayed silent for a long period before Goldman from Balliol College, Oxford, pressed his buzzer.
Looking hesitant, he said: ’37?’ and Jeremy proceeded to ask Eric’s team, Wolfson College, Cambridge, if anyone would like to press their buzzer to answer the question.
In a matter of seconds, Eric began frantically waving his arms towards his teammates, telling them ‘no’ while pulling a stern facial expression.
Hugh Binnie (2015)
Contestant Hugh Binnie from The Oxford University Magdalen College shocked viewers with his incredibly quick answers and impressive mathematical knowledge on the game show in 2015
Contestant Hugh Binnie from The Oxford University Magdalen College shocked viewers with his incredibly quick answers and impressive mathematical knowledge on the game show in 2015.
In one particularly memorable moment, Jeremy asked the students: ‘What day of the week will it be 100 days after Monday?’
Without hesitating, Binnie pressed his buzzer before confidently replying with: ‘Wednesday’.
Appearing lost for words, Jeremy squealed: ‘How did you know that?’ and the youngster smugly replied: ‘Modular arithmetic’.
Thomas Hart (2025)
Warwick maths student Thomas Hart was dubbed ‘the elbow’ by viewers at home for his aggressive stance while listening to host Amol Rajan ask questions
Warwick maths student Thomas Hart was dubbed ‘the elbow’ by viewers at home for his aggressive stance while listening to host Amol Rajan ask questions.
The second semi-final, which aired in April, saw Darwin College, Cambridge, take on Warwick University to compete for a place in the 2025 grand final.
Once the Warwick team took to the panel, the spotlight immediately shone on Thomas because of his aggressive ‘bent elbow’ stance, with his hand planted firmly on the buzzer at the beginning of every question.
Jeremy Paxman and Eric Monkman (2017)
Another memorable moment on the show was when host Jeremy Paxman (pictured) branded Eric Monkman’s answer ‘useless’ in the final
Another memorable moment on the show was when host Jeremy Paxman branded Eric Monkman’s answer ‘useless’ in the final.
The 73-year-old host began asking the teams: ‘Traditionally regarded as a holy relic, the Iron Crown of Lombardy is housed…’
Eric, of Wolfson College, buzzed and interrupted, saying: ‘It’s housed in Italy somewhere’ before tailing off and apologising.
He added: ‘I mean it’s the one they used to crown the king of Italy.’
Clearly unimpressed, Jeremy retorted: ‘I’m afraid that is a completely useless answer.’
Eric Monkman returning (2017)
University Challenge viewers were left elated in February 2017 after contestant Eric Monkman made a return to the game show, following his success five weeks previously
University Challenge viewers were left elated in February 2017 after contestant Eric Monkman made a return to the game show, following his success five weeks previously.
Eric first won fans over when he appeared on the programme the year prior, thanks to his intense facial expressions as he answered questions.
Once again, people took to social media at the time to express their delight at seeing Eric back on their TV screens.
One person posted: ‘The man. The legend. #Monkman.’; ‘I’m developing a crush on Monkman. Such fire!’; ‘#Monkman What’s not to love about the Canadian team?’
Wolfson College, Cambridge, went up against Baliol College, Oxford, in an epic battle of student masterminds.
Luckily for Monkman fans, Eric’s team stormed to victory with 30 points and made it through to the next round.
Matt Bright (2000)
Another memorable contestant on the game show was UMIST Biology PhD student Matt Bright, who stole the spotlight after he left the audience and host Jeremy in fits of laughter with one answer
Another memorable contestant on the game show was UMIST Biology PhD student Matt Bright.
During the episode, Matt’s team, UMIST, went up against Balliol College, and halfway through the show, Balliol were leading with 305 points.
However, Matt stole the spotlight after he left the audience and host Jeremy in fits of laughter with his answer to one particular question.
Jeremy asked both teams: ‘Another starter question. The nicknames cheesemongers, cherry pickers, Bob’s own, the emperor’s chambermaids, and the immortals are or have been used for which groups of men?’
Matt pressed his buzzer and bluntly answered with: ‘Homosexuals?’
Trying his best to stifle his laugh, Jeremy said: ‘No, they’re regiments in the British Army,’ as the audience also erupted into laughter.
