Alumni from Durham University are hoping to take the crown in this year’s University Challenge Christmas specials.
Durham’s team is made up of Carla Denyer, MP and co-leader of the Green Party; art historian Liz James; journalist and broadcaster Tracey McLeod; and author and journalist Sophia Smith Galer. Astrophysicist Derek Ward-Thompson is the team’s reserve.
The team kicked off the festive specials by seeing off Warwick University in their first round match on Monday, December 23; and beat Worcester College of Oxford in the semi-final by a score of 120 – 85. Durham take on Queens’ College Cambridge in the final.
A spokesperson for Durham University said: “We are thrilled our alumni team has reached the BBC University Challenge festive final after their impressive performance. They have the full support of our University community which will be tuning in tonight to cheer them on.”
Ahead of the series launch, presenter Amol Rajan said last month: “There is always something magical about the Christmas series of University Challenge, and this year is no exception. The contestants are a rather lovely bunch of journalists, academics, politicians and other assorted professionals, all trying desperately to remind themselves of what they’ve forgotten from their own student days.”
Durham University’s alumni team with University Challenge presenter Amol Rajan
(Image: (c) Lifted Entertainment/Ric Lowe)
The University Challenge Christmas 2024 final will air on BBC Two at 8.30pm tonight (Friday, January 3).
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