BBC University Challenge fans 'mind's blown' as they spot players unusual connection

BBC Two viewers were left in stitches after noticing an unusual link between one of the contestants and their team name as the latest episode hit the airwaves.

By Bethany Whittingham, Senior Showbiz Reporter

University Challenge

University Challenge aired on Monday night (Image: BBC)

University Challenge fans were left in hysterics after they spotted an unusual coincidence between the players on the evening quiz show.

During Monday’s visit to the BBC studios, host Amol Rajan returned to present the teatime show, which sees eight students from two different UK universities compete against each other in a game of trivia.

This week four students represented Exeter College from Oxford University who battled it out against four students who represented their rival college Christ Church, also from Oxford University.

And it’s fair to say one player in particular stood out after viewers noticed his strange connection to his team.

University Challenge

University Challenge (Image: BBC)

Supporting his team captain Oscar Despard was physics student Brendan Bethlehem from North London. The eager student was quick to buzz in with answers and swiftly raked in points for the team.

But viewers couldn’t help but point out his religious link to his college online. Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – one user penned: “Never in the history of this show has two names ever matched up so well Christ and Bethlehem #universitychallenge."

Another noted: "#UniversityChallenge someone called Bethlehem is playing for Christ's" as a third echoed: "There's a contestant called Bethlehem competing for Christ on University Challenge. Mind blown #universitychallenge #bbc."

The brainiacs were hot with the questions this week, smashing their contestants out of the water with their impressive general knowledge.

At the end of the show, Christ Church College beat their contestants with an impressive 205 points compared to Exeter's 110.

Amol congratulated the team on their hard work, confessing: “Christ, well done. Anything over 200 is absolutely terrific so that was really, really impressive. We shall see you again and look forward to it."

Fans will have to stay tuned to see the university return with a bang for the quarter finals.

University Challenge airs on Mondays from 8.30pm on BBC Two or catch up on BBC iPlayer.

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