University Challenge fans have blasted the BBC for ‘dumbing down’ the show after airing the Christmas special this week.

On Tuesday evening, the show saw Amol Rajan back as a presenter, with several famous faces on the panel.

Teams included alumni from UCL and Leeds who were desperate for a second chance to be crowned University Challenge champions – including BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri and impressionist Alistair McGowan.

But fans were left disappointed and claimed the show was ‘dumbed down’, with some even taking to X to share their thoughts.

One penned: ‘The magic of Christmas University Challenge is that the viewer can answer more easier questions than usual… #UniversityChallenge.’

Another shared: ‘Love alumni #UniversityChallenge. It’s easer than the normal one and I come into my own! I’m the winner on all low brow stuff in our house.’

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University Challenge fans have blasted the BBC for ‘dumbing down’ the show after airing the Christmas special this week

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On Tuesday evening, the show saw Amol Rajan back as a presenter, with several famous faces on the panel

A third commented: ‘Crikey think I got about 20 right tonight which is not unusual #UniversityChallenge.’

Others called out Amol for repeatedly scolding the teams and barking ‘no conferring!’ as he told them off again and again.

One viewer wrote: ‘#universitychallenge stop shouting at them, Amol,’ while someone else said: ‘#universitychallenge ooh he’s grumpy tonight isn’t he old host boy!’

In recent weeks, viewers hit out at a ‘miserable’ team they claimed ‘needed a lesson in sportsmanship’ following a brutal snub to their on-screen rivals.

During a December 1 episode of the BBC quiz featured a team from the University of Manchester against the London School of Economics (LSE).

By the end of the contest, host Amol revealed Manchester had won with 160 points to LSE’s 135.

But fans were left disappointed and claimed the show was ‘dumbed down’, with some even taking to X to share their thoughts

The instalment’s final moments saw Manchester’s captain Madgwick lead his team over to graciously shake hands with the runners-up.

However, taking to X, fans watching at home branded the losing LSE side as ‘miserable’.

Last month, University Challenge viewers were left asking ‘can someone check he’s still alive?!’ after a contestant ‘passed out’ during the show.

Southampton and Iperial faced off for a quarter-final spot – but the audience was soon distracted by Keung, a member of the Imperial team.

As Amol asked an astrophysics question, the contestant placed his head down on the team’s table.

One viewer wrote on X: ‘Has something happened to Keung someone check he’s still alive there.’

Another added: ‘Keung was just recharging a few minutes back.’

A third shared: ‘Someone give Keung a prod #universitychallenge.’

University Challenge airs Mondays on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.

‘I was deeply uncomfortable throughout…’: Melanie Blatt gives a scathing verdict on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special — as the All Saints star admits the festive show pushed her further out of her comfort zone than anything she’s ever done… – suong

Melanie Blatt opened up about her time in the upcoming Strictly Christmas special while on Tuesday’s instalment of Lorraine – admitting that she was ‘deeply uncomfortable’ throughout the process, although she had no regrets in taking part.

The singer, 50, appeared on the latest episode of the ITV show to chat to step-in host Christine Lampard, 46, to chat about taking part in the festive episode.

Fans will have to wait and see Mel,

Scarlett Moffatt, 35, Jodie Ounsley, 24, Nicholas Bailey, 54, Babatunde Aléshé, 39, and Brian McFadden, 45, battle it out to hold the Glitterball Trophy.

Christine said: ‘You’re used to being on stage, seeing you do it, but this,

Strictly, is the most nervous you have ever been?’

Mel – who was paired with professional Kai Widdrington, 30, for the special – confessed: ‘I mean it was like nothing I have ever done before…

‘Out of the comfort zone was the smallest thing you could call it.

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Melanie Blatt opened up about her time in the upcoming Strictly Christmas special while on Tuesday’s instalment of Lorraine

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The singer, 50, appeared on the latest episode of the ITV show to chat to step-in host Christine Lampard, 46, to chat about taking part in the festive episode

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Mel – who was paired with professional Kai Widdrington, 30, for the special – confessed: ‘I mean it was like nothing I have ever done before…’

‘I was deeply uncomfortable throughout it, but it was an amazing experience. You know, I am up for challenges.

‘That is my number one thing that I say to myself every morning – “You need to challenge yourself”.

‘I really did that.’

Speaking about her partner Kai, she said: ‘He was amazing. Everybody on that show, the pro dancers, I was just in awe of all of something.

‘You know they are spectacular but it’s not until you try to dance like them, how inadequate I am, and how extra amazing they are.

‘The bounce, how do you jump like that?!’

The pair will be dancing the American Smooth to Santa Baby by The Pussycat Dolls.

Meanwhile Gogglebox’s Scarlett and Vito Coppola, 33, are performing the Cha Cha Cha to Cher’s DJ Play A Christmas Song.

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Mel said: ‘I was deeply uncomfortable throughout it, but it was an amazing experience. You know, I am up for challenges’

Gladiators star Jodie and Neil Jones, 43, are dancing Street/Commercial to Kylie Cantrall’s Red Christmas.

EastEnders legend Nicholas and Luba Mushtuk, 36, will be dancing the Viennese Waltz to Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time, and Brian and Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, are dancing the Jive to Kelly Clarkson’s Run Rudolph Run.

Babatunde and his dance partner Nancy Xu, 34, will be performing the Charleston to Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters’ tune Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Previously talking to the Beeb about what pushed her out of her comfort zone, Mel said: ‘The whole thing [did]!

‘The main thing that I’ve had to overcome is the outfit side of things. I’m not a dress wearer, but I’ll be wearing a long flowy dress for this.

‘I’m very particular about the shapes and the things that I wear. So that’s been quite challenging, but it’s good to be challenged.

‘And it’s made me realise to just go for it and not care so much.’

Mel shot to fame as part of girl group All Saints in 1993 alongside Shaznay Lewis, Simone Rainford, Natalie Appleton and Nicole Appleton.

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Melanie Blatt, Natalie Appleton, Shaznay Lewis, Nicole Appleton pictured as All Saints at the Mobo Awards in 199

Some of their tunes include Never Ever, Pure Shores, Black Coffee and Bootie Call.

When asked if her background helped, she said: ‘We did do choreography in All Saints, but it was a very different sort of choreography.

‘We just plodded around for years! Whereas now I’ve got to have my shoulders back, and a proper frame, which is the complete opposite.

‘But I did already know how to count to 8, which has been helpful!’

Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.