Yes it's true - I have received a grilling from Jeremy Paxman, and you might have seen it on BBC2 at 8:00pm, Monday 6th December 1999. Just like Bill Gates - only I earn less than he does....
As the picture makes obvious, I was the captain for this year's Leeds University team on that spiritual home of the terminally trivial, University Challenge. The first round programme was recorded on 18th June 1999, while crusties smashed up the City and the day before going to Amsterdam on my stag weekend. We played Christ Church, Oxford, about whom I will say nothing for fear of censure! The team was, from left to right:
As to what happened, well whilst the first 10 minutes are not great, things did get better! But we lost 255-155. Christ Church went on to the semi-finals, and we were only 15 points of being a "highest scoring loser" (bugger!) so I suppose it wasn't a bad performance. My own personal best moment is answering a question after exactly one word, Rob next to me also does quite a good one both of which visibly impress Paxo.
Did I enjoy it? Yes, although it was certainly nerve-racking, and no way did it last 30 minutes! 10 at most, that's what it felt like. Anyway, watch it and see....
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