Latest news with #VictoriaCorenMitchell
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Only Connect viewers fume at 'awful' format change and say they'll switch off
Only Connect fans were left outraged on Monday after an 'audio-based special' was aired on the BBC quiz show, with viewers saying they 'switched channels'. BBC Two's Only Connect has sparked some displeased reactions from fans following an "audio-based special" that was broadcast on Monday. The intelligence-testing quiz show, lauded for its tough lexical conundrums and the formidable Missing Vowels round under Victoria Coren Mitchell's adept hosting, encountered online dissent. Discontent arose amidst the Connections segment when, deviating from standard practice, audio and musical clips were utilised as hints – a method occasionally adopted by the programme but still met with considerable disapproval by some viewers. Though not unprecedented in its history, every instance of such an audio twist tends to polarise the fandom, with a faction insistent that these musical interludes undermine the show's cerebral atmosphere. Even the most devoted aficionados have expressed clear disdain for the concept, maintaining that Only Connect should remain true to its intellectual spirit and eschew the audio inquiries entirely, reports the Mirror. One irritated fan posted on social media: "This awful music format should never happen again. Switching channels," while another confessed: "I love Only Connect, but as soon as the music round starts I'm out." Another audience member echoed this sentiment, saying: "It's a quiz for thinkers, not karaoke night." Meanwhile, host Victoria Coren Mitchell is gearing up for a new endeavour, stepping aside from her usual role as quiz master on Only Connect to delight fans with a fresh project. At the age of 52, Coren Mitchell, who has become synonymous with BBC Two's cerebral quiz show Only Connect since 2008, will soon be seen in the guest host chair on Have I Got News For You. Her much-awaited stint on the panel show is slated to air on Friday, May 23. She'll be joined by the sharp-witted comedian Chris McCausland and the esteemed broadcaster Janet Street-Porter. The veteran panellist Street-Porter, well-acquainted with the setup, will be marking her 18th appearance on the show. Viewers can certainly expect an electrifying episode as this trio combine wit, informed opinions, and frank commentary to light up the sought-after Friday night slot. Known for her razor-sharp mind and distinctive poker-faced humour, Victoria has hosted over 500 episodes throughout 20 series of Only Connect, challenging contestants with her tough trivia questions. Behind the scenes, however, life is all about family for Victoria, who cherishes time with her two daughters and her husband, the distinguished actor from Peep Show, David Mitchell. In an open-hearted discussion with the Evening Standard back in 2012, Victoria Coren Mitchell shared her personal views on becoming a mother, stating: "I hadn't experienced the yearning that some women feel to start a family. "I never had that point that a lot of my friends went through in their early to mid-twenties when they decided that they absolutely wanted children. But I am slightly obsessed with children [so] I absolutely still might."
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC viewers left outraged by 'awful' format change as they issue same demand
Only Connect fans were left unimpressed on Monday night after the episode featured a huge change BBC Two's Only Connect has left a number of its fans unimpressed after an "audio-based special" was aired on Monday (May 12). The brain-teasing show, hailed for its challenging word puzzles and daunting Missing Vowels round under the steady command of Victoria Coren Mitchell, found itself at the centre of online backlash. The uproar occurred during the Connections round, where teams are usually tasked with figuring out what links up to four seemingly unrelated items. In a departure from the norm, the clues were presented as audio and musical snippets – a format that has been used sporadically on the show but continues to be widely disliked by a portion of the audience. Such a twist is not new to the series, but it notoriously divides viewers, with some adamant that these soundbite challenges disrupt the show's intellectual feel. Die-hard fans have been particularly vocal about their aversion, arguing that Only Connect should stick to its roots and leave the audio questions out of the picture. One disgruntled viewer wrote on social media: "This awful music format should never happen again. Switching channels," while another lamented, "I love Only Connect, but as soon as the music round starts I'm out." A third viewer similarly expressed dismay, saying, "It's a quiz for thinkers, not karaoke night," reports the Express. Elsewhere, Victoria Coren Mitchell is preparing to embark on a fresh venture away from her familiar position steering the formidable Only Connect ship, promising something new for her followers. The 52-year-old quiz show host, known for her role in BBC Two's Only Connect since 2008, is set to take a turn as guest host on Have I Got News For You. Her highly anticipated episode is scheduled for broadcast on Friday, May 23, where she'll share the stage with comedian Chris McCausland and broadcasting legend Janet Street-Porter. The Loose Women star is no stranger to Have I Got News For You as she will be making her 18th appearance on the show. Expect sparks to fly as this dynamic trio deliver a mix of humour, seasoned insight, and straight-talking critique in the coveted Friday night programme. Victoria has earned a name for herself, not just for her intellect but for her trademark deadpan comedy, having presented over 500 episodes across 20 series of Only Connect's challenging quiz format. Away from the bright lights of television, Victoria is a devoted mother to her two daughters with her husband, acclaimed Peep Show actor David Mitchell. Speaking openly with the Evening Standard in a 2012 interview, Victoria previously revealed her thoughts on motherhood: "I hadn't experienced the yearning that some women feel to start a family. "I never had that point that a lot of my friends went through in their early to mid-twenties when they decided that they absolutely wanted children. But I am slightly obsessed with children [so] I absolutely still might."
Edinburgh Live
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Only Connect viewers say 'I'm out' as BBC show makes huge change
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Fans of BBC Two's notoriously tough quiz show Only Connect fumed "I'm out" after an "audio-based special" was broadcast on Monday (May 12). The brainy contest, helmed by Victoria Coren Mitchell, normally wins praise for its clever wordplay, enigmatic connections, and the relentless Missing Vowels round. This time, dismay spread when the programme dabbled with a musical format, cueing an online outcry. The frustration erupted during the Connections round, which ordinarily challenging teams to deduce what unites up to four disparate hints. In a departure from the norm, the clues were presented as audio and musical snippets – a format that has been used sporadically on the show but continues to be widely disliked by a portion of the audience. (Image: (Image: BBC)) Occasional music-oriented challenges have appeared in earlier series, always provoking a spirited response. Audio-based questions are permitted within the connections or sequences rounds, yet some ardent fans argue they simply don't fit. "This awful music format should never happen again. Switching channels," one disgruntled fan said on social media, while another lamented: "I love Only Connect, but as soon as the music round starts I'm out," reports the Express. A third person echoed the sentiment, saying : "It's a quiz for thinkers, not karaoke night." In other news, Victoria is poised to take on new ventures beyond her familiar role as Only Connect's quizmaster. (Image: (Image: BBC)) The 52-year-old presenter, famous for her role in the BBC Two quiz show Only Connect since 2008, is gearing up to make a splash as a guest host on Have I Got News For You. Fans can catch her episode airing on Friday, May 23, where she is set to share the stage with comedian Chris McCausland and media veteran Janet Street-Porter. With a track record of 17 appearances, Janet, widely recognised from ITV's Loose Women, is no stranger to the satirical edge of Have I Got News For You. Bringing together humour, seasoned insight, and straightforward opinions, the trio are poised to deliver an entertaining line-up for the renowned Friday evening programme. (Image: (Image: BBC)) Victoria has become synonymous for her razor-sharp wit and a poker-faced sense of comedy, having skilfully hosted over 500 episodes of Only Connect across 20 series. When not dazzling audiences on TV, she enjoys family life with her husband, Peep Show's David Mitchell, and their two daughters. Speaking with the Evening Standard back in 2012, Victoria previously revealed intimate thoughts about motherhood: "I hadn't experienced the yearning that some women feel to start a family. "I never had that point that a lot of my friends went through in their early to mid-twenties when they decided that they absolutely wanted children. But I am slightly obsessed with children [so] I absolutely still might." Only Connect is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell's next TV job revealed as she teams up with Loose Women and Strictly Come Dancing stars
Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell's next TV job has been revealed - and she's teaming up with Loose Women and Strictly Come Dancing stars. The BBC star, 52, hosts the complicated quiz show and is now set to feature on something new. It has been confirmed that Victoria will be a guest host of Have I Got News For You. She will appear on the popular show on Friday, May 23. Alongside Victoria will be guest panellists comedian Chris McCausland and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter. Janet is a regular on ITV 's panel show Loose Women and has been on Have I Got News For You 17 times before. While Chris appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year with pro partner Dianne Buswell. The pair were crowned 2024's champions after the comedian made history as the show's first ever blind contestant. Chris pipped fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill and Sarah Hadland to the post in the 'best ever' final in December, with his cheeky wit and inspiring story helping to save the show following a year of scandals. The final, which was the highest-scoring ever, saw all the couples each perform three dances for the judges before hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced Chris as the winner of the much sought after Glitterball trophy. The funnyman broke down in tears as he was embraced by his fellow celebs before throwing Dianne triumphantly over his shoulder while the audience went wild. Asked how the moment felt by Tess and Claudia, Chris said: 'It's astonishing, I don't know what to say. I honestly thought I was going to go out in the first week or two and I know nobody went out in the first week but I still thought I could. 'We've just lasted and lasted and [Dianne] has got so much out of me and she deserves [the trophy] so much' as he went on to gush over her 'positivity' and 'belief'. While Victoria has hosted Only Connect since 2008 and is known for her sharp wit. The BBC show first broadcast in 2008 and consists of a tournament-type format in which teams compete by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues. It has so far seen over 500 episodes spanning across 20 series. Naturally, there have been countless questions on the show that have left both fans and contestants alike baffled. And the show was recently named one of the most difficult quiz programmes on television, in a survey part of Spin Genie AR's Treasure Quest launch.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Only Connect fans amused as contestants stumped by EastEnders round
Only Connect viewers were amused as the contestants struggled during an EastEnders round. The BBC game show — in which the contestants have to decipher connections between a series of clues — is known for its challenging questions. So fans are often left wondering how the quizzers manage to do so well. But the show which aired on Monday, 17 February included a round based on books written by stars of the BBC soap and the contestants found it tricky. The episode of the show included difficult questions on a range of topics like science and history as usual. But it was the missing vowels section that caused problems. The round was called 'Autobiographies of EastEnders cast members' and included four books penned by stars of the BBC soap. The first panel contained the letters "B FRTHY RDT" but the contenders just sat in puzzled silence staring at the screen. "I'll start you off," said host Victoria Coren Mitchell, stepping in and telling them that the book was Before the Year Dot by late actor June Brown, who starred as Dot Cotton. Only Connect viewers distracted by contestant's unusual skill Only Connect viewers 'screaming' at the TV over question Only Connect called 'unwatchable' over 'ridiculous' questions They didn't manage to get Rags to Richie by Alfie Moon actor Shane Richie either, although one contestant worked out that "FR MR GSTR CKY" was From Rags to Ricky by Sid Owen, who played the character Ricky Butcher. They also failed when it came to Just a Mo, which was written by Laila Morse, who played Walford's Little Mo. Fans admitted they were tickled to see the "super clever" contestants having a hard time with questions about the BBC soap. "EastEnders on Only Connect - that's sorted them out..." one viewer joked on X. "Not many EastEnders fans here," said another. "Anyone else slightly amused that the super clever semi-finalists didn't get the EastEnders missing vowels questions," said someone else. One fan quipped: "That missing vowels round was a travesty." Another suggested it was fitting given that the soap is celebrating its 40th anniversary this week. "Nice to have a horrible EastEnders set of missing vowels this week (coincidence or well planned)," they commented. Others brought up books they thought should have been included, such as Albert Square favourite Pam St Clement's (Pat Butcher) memoir. "EastEnders autobiography round and NO End of an Earring? Disappointed!" They posted. Only Connect next airs at 8pm on BBC Two on Monday, 24 February.
