Is local postgrad up to the University Challenge?

Friday 09 September 2016

If you listen closely to next week’s introductions on BBC quiz show University Challenge, you’ll hear Jersey getting a namecheck as local man Nat Guillou appears on the programme.

Mr Guillou will be representing Durham University after having just completed his Masters in Arab World Studies at St Chad’s College, as he and his teammates go head to head with the University of Edinburgh.

The popular quiz show, which has been running for 54 years, puts British universities against each other in a battle of knowledge with questions on everything from popular music to quantum mechanics.

The former Victoria College student said the selection process to appear on the programme was rather arduous. Mr Guillou had to pass “quite a lengthy series of written tests” as well as “a competition” between Durham’s various colleges before he was chosen for the final team.

Speaking about being selected for the Durham team, Mr Guillou said: “As a long-time fan of the programme I thought I probably knew enough answers when shouting at the TV to have a go at applying, but never imagined I would actually get into the studio. 

“It was very intimidating facing down Paxman under the studio lights, but it was a real thrill and all the production staff were very helpful and supportive of us nervy students. I think I may be the first person from Jersey to appear, which is something that I am obviously immensely proud of.”

As the results of the match cannot of course be revealed, to find out how Mr Guillou fares you’ll have to tune into BBC Two at 20:00pm on Monday 12^th September.