Latest news with #UniversityChallenge
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC University Challenge viewers witness 'best comeback ever' in show's history
The new series of University Challenge kicked off with a dramatic showdown between students from Sheffield and Warwick - and viewers were left stunned by the result The latest series of University Challenge launched with a thrilling face-off between Sheffield and Warwick students, leaving viewers gobsmacked by what's being hailed as the most remarkable comeback in the programme's history. Monday's episode (July 14) saw Sheffield take an early lead, racking up a formidable 170 points to Warwick's 120. However, in a breathtaking final few minutes, Warwick rallied to clinch victory with a decisive 210 points, completely flipping the match. BBC presenter Amol Rajan was visibly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, labelling it a "brilliant comeback". He said: "That is an absolutely perfect example of how momentum is everything, because you (Sheffield) began in the first 10 minutes by soaring and taking it away and then just disappeared at the last five minutes. I'm so sorry, bad luck, but you lost to a fantastic team." He went on to praise Warwick as "inspirational", saying: "You guys are going to be an eternal inspiration for teams that are quite far behind with five minutes to go. "But in the end you won by a comfortable margin. It was a brilliant comeback, we shall definitely see you again. Well done." Amol also hinted that this might not be the last we see of Sheffield, adding: "170 might well be enough to come back again, so we might well see you again." Viewers were quick to take to social media to share their reaction to the gripping match, celebrating it as an exhilarating kick-off to the new season, reports the Express. One commented: "What a great start to the new series, and what an excellent recovery from Warwick! Well done them, and best of luck to them and Sheffield who will surely be back too, in your next matches!" Another chimed in, stating: "Excellent start to the new series. This bodes well for the coming weeks..." Amol's return as quizmaster also garnered praise among fans. A delighted viewer remarked: "Monday nights are made for this! Two really likeable teams and what a comeback from Warwick. Quizmaster looking very sharp as ever. Welcome back @amolrajan." "Wow what a comeback from Warwick," another fan said. "They stayed in the game when all seemed beyond them. No wonder that show was picked for episode one." "That was by far the best comeback I've ever seen on this show," another avid fan said. The 42-year-old quizmaster reprised his role on the show after viewers recently watched him embark on an emotional journey to the Ganges in search of healing following his father's death. The British-Indian presenter has openly discussed his struggles with bereavement, revealing how grief "can really screw you up". His pilgrimage to India's largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, served as a significant step in confronting his loss. On The One Show, he shared how the profound experience had "made a big difference" in coping with his sadness.
Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Times
What is fexofenadine? The hay fever pill that could save your summer
The latest box that Amol Rajan has ticked on his busy to-do list is finding a cure for hay fever. Well, sort of. The University Challenge quizmaster, Today programme host and summertime sneezer has been singing the praises online of a pill called fexofenadine — and has been inundated with messages of gratitude from fellow sufferers on Instagram and TikTok. About a quarter of the population suffers from hay fever, although the charity Allergy UK says levels are rising, with as many as 49 per cent of people now reporting symptoms. Rajan's followers, however, say 'fex' has relieved them of theirs. So what is it and how does it compare with other allergy drugs? The most commonly taken hay fever medications are both antihistamines: cetirizine (often sold under the brand names Benadryl or Piriteze) and loratadine (Clarityn). They work by stopping you feeling the effects of histamine — the chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction. This chemical causes the runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. • Why nature isn't to blame for your hay fever hell These pills make you less drowsy than older generations of antihistamine such as chlorphenamine (Piriton), they last longer and are less likely to disrupt the important REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep. Cetirizine and chlorphenamine are generally faster-acting than loratadine, both taking effect within an hour compared with up to three hours, but loratadine can last for up to 24 hours. Cetirizine can also last all day but is slightly more likely to cause drowsiness than loratadine. Chlorphenamine lasts up to six hours. Fexofenadine is also an antihistamine, but has only been available over the counter since December 2020. It is generally the least sedating of the antihistamines and lasts for 24 hours. It can cost more than cetirizine or loratadine, but buying a branded version such as Allevia (£12.49 for 30 tablets at Boots) is unnecessary. 'Generic versions are cheaper and equally effective,' says Dr Chris Rutkowski, a consultant allergist at OneWelbeck in London. 'When looking at a label you should focus on the active ingredient rather than a brand.' The active ingredient is fexofenadine hydrochloride, which, despite the glowing reports sent to Rajan, is no more potent than the other histamine blockers. 'All antihistamines work a little differently in different people and it's worth trying a few to see which suits you, but they are really pretty similar,' says Professor Adam Fox, chairman of the National Allergy Strategy Group. • Will genetically modified rice end hay fever misery for millions? Fexofenadine is suitable for most people aged six and above. If the single 120g adult dose isn't working for you, talk to your pharmacist or GP about a larger dose. There are very few people who cannot take antihistamines but if you have glaucoma, prostate issues, a heart condition or are on certain medications it's best to check with your GP first. 'Side-effects for fexofenadine are typically mild,' Fox says, but they can include those of the other antihistamines: dry mouth, nausea, headaches. Adding a steroid nasal spray may help some sufferers. For serious cases Rutkowski says to consider sublingual immunotherapy (Slit), where a small amount of pollen is placed under the tongue. • How to exercise when you suffer from hay fever Alternatively Fox recommends asking your GP about prescription-only tablets such as Grazax and Itulazax, which treat grass and tree pollen allergies respectively.
Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The 10 best TV quiz shows — ranked by our critic
Trivia fans can rejoice this week as Mastermind and University Challenge return to our screens, making Quiz Monday appointment to view television once again each week. But how do these titans of quizzing sit among the very best quiz shows from TV history? Well, there's only one way to find out. I've ranked the top trivia quiz shows from ten to one. The list is based on 'pure quizzing' formats that rely primarily on answering questions rather than involving other activities like spelling and counting (Countdown), playing darts (Bullseye) or comedy panel shows with quizzing (QI). That's not to say those excluded aren't great shows, they are just not eligible for this list. What do you think is the greatest trivia quiz format? Let us know in the comments below … This general knowledge show ran between 1987 and 1996 and was hosted by the great Henry Kelly, who died this year. Going for Gold, with its theme tune by Hans Zimmer, was the dessert to your lunchtime helping of Neighbours. A kind of quiz equivalent of Eurovision Song Contest, the show in all its eccentric glory brought together the great and the good of quizzing from across the Continent to battle it out in quickfire trivia quizzes for the chance to progress to the final and perhaps win a holiday. It had lots of questions and plenty of laughs. It sent a message to all other quiz-makers: 'Now you're playing catch-up.' It's fair to say that not everyone is immediately on board with Only Connect, the most complicated quiz on TV. However, once you get past the complexities and oddities of the format in the good hands of its super-host, Victoria Coren Mitchell, you'll quickly be drawn into a world of hardcore quizzing and puzzling conundrums. Relaxed and engaging but requiring more lateral thinking than most quiz formats, Only Connect is a show that's rightfully won a large and loyal fanbase. There isn't another quiz in which the presenter feels so important to the format. Not just because he's part of the title, but because Richard Osman's calm, friendly and irreverent spirit runs through this format like a name through a stick of rock. On the face of it, the games aren't 'serious', and because it involves celebrity contestants the stakes should be low. However, it's impossible not to get drawn into this friendly, funny and addictively playable game from the moment it arrives in your living room. It's like the kind of Christmas family game nights that you think people might have somewhere, but have never been to yourself. University Challenge, based on the American format College Bowl, has been a mainstay of the British TV schedules since 1962. The format and set is the stuff of screen legend, immortalised by The Young Ones and the subject of the fabulous Brit-flick Starter For 10. If there is a problem with the show it would be that the questions are too hard. However, that's the point of the programme: to challenge the best and brightest of academia, so for the general viewer just getting a few questions right makes you feel smart. Which 'B' is one of the best-loved quiz formats on British television? Hosted by Bob Holness for a wonderful decade between 1983 and 1993, Blockbusters not only had a ripping theme tune, it had the quirk of single players competing against teams of two to make it across a giant honeycomb-board full of letters. Famed for its youthful contestants with mascots and the gold run with prizes like a Walkman or camping equipment, this show will for ever belong in the hearts of the true quiz fan. • Fingers on buzzers — it's the ultimate quizmasters' quiz! One of the purest of quiz formats, this is all about quickfire trivia. Hosted with aplomb by the firm but fair William G Stewart (1988-2003), then Sandi Toksvig (2014-19), this most brilliant of quiz shows had few bells and whistles (just buzzers and illuminated life bars). It formed an essential part of a golden quiz hour on Channel 4 in the afternoon alongside Countdown. The black chair under a single spotlight, the daunting music and the catchphrase 'I've started so I'll finish' make Mastermind an icon of British television. But more than the aesthetics and atmosphere, this is a show that showcases two of the best of British: weird niche knowledge and nerdiness alongside hardcore pub quiz trivia. While the viewer can marvel at the depth of a contestant's insight into something they don't understand in the first round, in the second round everyone's in the room for some good old-fashioned general knowledge. Perfect. • Is Clive Myrie right to call the Mastermind final 'TV's toughest quiz'? A tip-top Bradley Walsh on presenting duties, a brash professional quizzer with a silly nickname and four amateur pub quizzers trying to beat the teacher — what could go wrong? Nothing, that's what. The show combines a lot of fast-paced quizzing (especially in the breathless final chase) with plenty of banter and silliness in a format that has enough changes of pace to earn a full hour of your television attention. It's no wonder it remains one of the biggest bankers for ITV. I must declare an interest here. I went on The Weakest Link when I was in my twenties. And whereas meeting your heroes can often leave you feeling less enthusiastic, I must admit that my experience of seeing inside the factory (Pinewood Studios back then) only made me love it more. A true quiz phenomenon overseen first by a stern but knowing Anne Robinson, and latterly by the comedian Romesh Ranganathan, the show manages to combine quizzing with a devious format that doesn't always mean the person with all the answers wins. (I didn't.) • Anne Robinson proves we're right wing — and judges are the weakest link Co-created by Peaky Blinders's Steven Knight (alongside David Briggs and Mike Whitehill), Millionaire changed British quizzing when it was launched in 1998. The show offered an unimaginably large prize for answering just 15 multiple choice questions — and you even got lifelines. The beauty of the game is how simple it seems and just how tricky it is to not only know the answers but to have the confidence to risk losing vast sums as you move up the ladder. Chris Tarrant set the template for the encouraging host willing the contestant on along with the viewer, a role that Jeremy Clarkson has continued in the reboot. It's the ultimate quiz show on every level. Long live Millionaire. Love TV? Discover the best shows on Netflix, the best Prime Video TV shows, the best Disney+ shows , the best Apple TV+ shows, the best shows on BBC iPlayer , the best shows on Sky and Now, the best shows on ITVX, the best shows on Channel 4 streaming, the best shows on Paramount+ and our favourite hidden gem TV shows. Don't forget to check our comprehensive TV guide for the latest listings
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
15 TV quiz questions contestants have been stumped on – are you cleverer than the quizzers and know the answers?
TV quizzes are some of the nation's favourite shows, with Brits tuning in to see if they could be good enough to take home the huge cash prizes. However, with only six people ever taking home the top sum in the 27 year history of Advertisement 6 Only six people have ever won the top prize on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Credit: ITV From questions that left 1. What did Andy Murray start tying to his tennis shoes in 2015? (The Chase) A. Front door key B. Wedding ring Advertisement Read more quiz stories C. Piece of haggis This question stumped Chaser Paul Sinha, who failed to answer it correctly back in 2015. 6 Could you beat the Chasers? 2. 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? (University Challenge) Advertisement Boffins from both Oxford and Cambridge, answered this question incorrectly after it was posed by host Jeremy Paxman before he Most read in News TV 3. A one with a hundred zeroes trailing is known by which term? (Who Wants to Be A Millionaire) A: Googol B: Megatron Advertisement C: Gigabit D: Nanamole 4. Last month was not May or July. Next month is not January, March, or November. Neither last month nor next month is April, August, or December. What month must it be? (The 1% Club) Advertisement This has been branded one of the hardest 1% Club questions ever, with only 1% of the population thought to be able to get it right. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions. Some benefits include: Cognitive stimulation : Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility. Problem-solving skills : Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function. Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes. Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus. Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief. 6 Are you in the 1%? Credit: ITV 5. What word appears in the titles of over 200 novels by romantic novelist Barbara Cartland? (The Chase) A. Love Advertisement B. Pink C. Desire The Chaser got this question wrong when they were faced with it, could you have beaten them? 6. The packaging for a perfume launched in the 1930s by the designer Elsa Schiaparelli is the origin of the two word name of which colour, described in a contemporary publication as a 'crude, cruel shade of rose (University Challenge) Advertisement Brainboxes from Imperial and Oxford both gave incorrect answers to this question, in series 46 of the show. 7 . Which king was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine? (Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?) A. Henry 1 B. Henry II Advertisement C. Richard 1 D. Henry V Contestant Judith Keppel missed out on the £1 million jackpot back in 2000, after answering this question incorrectly. 8. What word are you left with if you DEBUG this line of code? VANTIFLEACTOBEETLERTICKY (The 1% Club) Advertisement 9. Traditionally, sailors would get a tattoo of what bird after travelling over 5,000 nautical miles? (The Chase) A. Swan B. Seagull Advertisement C. Swallow The Chaser was confounded by this question. But do you know the answer? 10. In Gulliver's Travels, which island is separated from Lilliput by an 800-wide channel? The two empires are involved in an on-going war over which end of a boiled egg should be broken (University Challenge) A student from Imperial interrupted this question to blurt out the wrong answer, whilst the team from Cambridge were left completely stumped. Advertisement 6 University Challenge boffins were unable to get this question right Credit: BBC 11. What are the commonly known four-letter words that can be found inside the five words listed; Pumpkin, Bicycle, Penchant, Pageant, Nowhere? (The 1% Club) 99% of people are thought to be unable to answer this tricky conundrum. 12. Which of these people was born the same year as Queen Elizabeth II? (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?) Advertisement A. Audrey Hepburn B. Judy Garland C. Julie Andrews D. Marilyn Monroe Advertisement Davyth Fear missed out on £1 million by choosing not to answer this question, despite phoning a friend for help. 6 Only one person has won Who Wants To Be A Millionaire since Jeremy Clarkson took over 13. What would you be most likely to do with a Bedford Rascal? (The Chase) A. Drive it Advertisement B. Eat it C. Wear it The Chaser got this wrong, but do you know the answer? 14 . Which of these UK prime ministers never served as foreign secretary? (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?) Advertisement A. Winston Churchill B. Alec Douglas-Home C. Anthony Eden D. Harold Macmillan Advertisement John Robinson chose to walk away with £500,000 in 2019, after being unsure of the answer to this question. 15. What four-word phrase can you get if you keep everything below, but remove 'two letters' in order? TIWOAMLAWETINTENRESR (The 1% Club) This 1% Club question stumped contestants, but can you figure it out? Answers B, wedding ring 36 A, Googol April A, Love Shocking Pink B, Henry II Victory C, Swallow Blefuscu Pump, Page, Here D, Marilyn Monroe A, Drive it A, Winston Churchill I am a winner 6 How many questions did you get right? Credit: ITV Advertisement
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Two quizmasters, on the facts
Two quizmasters in conversation. Derek O'Brien: This is the first time we're doing something like this. Thank you, Siddhartha. Siddhartha Basu: It's the first time ever the both of us have been together, and I'm delighted. DOB: You and I met just three years ago. And it was such a beautiful occasion. We had dinner at home. You started Quiz Time in 1985, I was 24, you were 31. You were doing television shows, and I was more into stage shows before I did TV. Yes, but we only first met in 2022. And it's been so lovely. SB: I'm thankful to hear that from you, because your family has been right at the forefront of open quizzing. Let us chat about the whole business of the purpose of general knowledge, quizzing and life lessons, too. DOB: It's very interesting that you've used the word 'business'. For you and me, it was business. But the interesting story is how it moved from a hobby into a business. SB: Prannoy Roy used to joke with me, 'You'll always be a Bong yaar', because he thought I wasn't businessman enough. We hadn't thought of it that way, but, fortunately, the business followed. DOB: Yes, from 1967 to the 1980s, nobody ever charged a rupee for a quiz. You and I did. SB: You know Quiz Time or a national inter-college quiz wasn't my idea; I was roped into it by happenstance as a host. I was asked to come for 10 minutes and just give an introduction. I was in and out. And then, one month later, they said, 'Why don't you be the quiz master for Rs 1,000 an episode?' I left my job instantly. My son was yet to be born and I took the plunge. DOB: While working for eight years in an advertising agency, Ogilvy, I started doing quizzes on weekends for a fee, Rs 2,000 a quiz — for Maggi and Bata. This was in the late 1980s. SB: Since you mentioned the Maggi Quiz, the largest ever live ground quiz I have done was the national finals of the Maggi Quiz at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi for 15,000 kids. I want you to rewind to when the first open quiz was conducted by your father, Neil. DOB: In 1966, my dad, who was in his 30s, was sent by his employers to the UK. My parents were there for three months and that is where they were exposed to University Challenge, a quiz started in 1962. The local parish in Kolkata used to have a contest for one-act plays. So, Neil and his cousin Errol came up with the idea to change that to an inter-parish quiz. And so was born India's first open quiz, the Eddie Hyde Memorial. The Bournvita Quiz Contest on TV came in 1993. Then you and Amitabh Bachchan, with Kaun Banega Crorepati, took quizzing to another level. SB: Kolkata has been the capital of quizzing. The city had many quizzards and a number of them came later on Mastermind, which is another show that I was doing. But then I think there are all those people who know the strangest things about the strangest things. I've always been averse to the term trivia, because I don't think it needs to be about peripheral information. DOB: Today, it's not just the recall of knowledge which excites young people. 'Can I speak better English? Can I feel confident?' That is where young people are moving to. SB: What has become terribly important now is to have contextual knowledge and information. See how much misinformation and propaganda is out there. And WhatsApp University. How do you train, particularly young people, but also ourselves, to have our antennas up… on another note, because even your brothers (Andy, Barry) have been quizzing, tell us about growing up. DOB: My father would always tell us to read. Then write it down. That will help you recall. He had his diaries, so he would read, and he would write. SB: Note it down? DOB: Yes. Write it down as a quiz question in a diary. From 1967, he's had all these questions. So you never have to prepare for a quiz when you're setting a quiz. For all the research you do, whether for a quiz or in Parliament, there is a simple rule: You need three authentic sources. SB: Minimum. Reliable. Authentic sources. DOB: Yes, verified sources. And that is where the authenticity comes in. So do not forward information you receive on your mobile phone. Check first. SB: It is incumbent on everybody to be sure of the facts before they spread it or just forward it. DOB: You receive a piece of information, you put it on your family WhatsApp group without checking, and you are the editor who is putting it out. So you have to be careful. SB: Fact-checking for anything that is shared publicly has now become very important, and everybody needs to be able to do it at their level. DOB: I have enjoyed this conversation. I really want the two of us to do a couple of quizzes together — for a good cause. And whatever we raise from those quiz shows, we will give to a charity of our choice. SB: I accept, let's figure it out. The writer is MP and leader, All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party
