December 21, 2016, by Liz Cass

Nottingham alumni ready for Boxing Day University Challenge

University of Nottingham faces are set to come under pressure from Jeremy Paxman in a festive edition of University Challenge.

Programme makers announced a festive series of the popular quiz show with well-known alumni representing universities instead of current students.

The Nottingham team will take on The University of Bristol on Boxing Day at 6.20pm on BBC 2.

Our hopes rest on:

• Chris Hawkins, presenter on BBC Radio 6 music (American studies graduate)
• David Florence, canoeist, triple Olympic silver medallist (Mathematical physics graduate)
• Nick Miller, BBC weather presenter
• and Frances Spalding, art historian (Art History graduate)

David Florence, who studied mathematical physics at Nottingham and graduated in 2005, returned last week to be given an honorary degree at The University of Nottingham’s Winter Graduation.

Earlier this year Nottingham academics faced MPs for a special episode of the programme, hosted by Rt Hon John Bercow MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, held in Westminster as part of Nottingham in Parliament Day celebrations.

This month over 50 prominent alumni from 14 universities and university colleges will compete against each other as they vie for the honour of being crowned series champions.

Each team will compete in one of seven first round matches, after which the four teams with the highest winning scores will face each other in two semi-finals, with the winners then meeting in the final on 29 December at 7.30pm.

Peter Gwyn, Executive Producer, ITV Studios, said: “Once again, distinguished alumni from a range of different industries and disciplines will be coming together to test their general knowledge this Christmas, as they battle it out to try and lead their alma mater to the title and claim this year’s bragging rights.”

 

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