University Challenge fans frenzy over contestant’s surname

University Challenge fans were left in hysterics over a contestant with an extraordinary tongue-twister name.

Spanish chemistry student Juan Ignacio Rubio Gorrochategui lined up for Imperial College against Strathclyde University on BBC Two last night.

Many of the 2.5million viewers who watched last night were sent into a frenzy by Mr Gorrochategui’s name, which is believed to be Catalan and made up of his parents’ names.

And even star announcer Roger Tilling admitted he was ‘doomed’, tweeting a picture of the Imperial student’s seat with the message: ‘Oh my giddy aunt’.

Many applauded Mr Tilling’s attempts to say his name – but others believe that the long surname gave Juan Ignacio Rubio Gorrochategui more time to think of his answer.

Spanish chemistry student Juan Ignatio Rubio Gorrochategui lined up for Imperial College against Strathclyde University on BBC Two last night – and people loved his name

Star announcer Roger Tilling admitted he was 'doomed', tweeting a picture of the Imperial student's seat with message: 'Oh my giddy aunt'

Star announcer Roger Tilling admitted he was ‘doomed’, tweeting a picture of the Imperial student’s seat with message: ‘Oh my giddy aunt’

During the show viewers were ecstatic when Mr Tilling was forced to say ‘Imperial, Rubio Gorrochategui’ after buzzing in for a starter question.

@patriziab83 wrote: ‘I’d be hopeless as the University Challenge announcer as it would take me 5 minutes just to say this boy’s name!

Joel Gleicher‏ said: ‘Really wanted Rubio Gorrochategui to buzz for a tie-breaking question at end & bong to go before his name is finished’.

Katy Plumbly tweeted: ‘Voiceover man sounded a bit drunk at the end, must have sunk a few celebrating getting the spaniard’s name right #universitychallenge’.

Andy Lindsay‏ said: ‘The advantage of having a long surname gives you a few extra split seconds to think whilst your name is announced. #UniversityChallenge’.

Phil Nash‏ tweeted: ‘Rubio Gorrochategui is possibly the most exotic, and arguably the longest, ever name ever on #UniversityChallenge’

Richard Cardall wrote: ‏ ‘Rubio Gorrochategui getting bored waiting for his own name to be read out’.

Jane_L‏ said: ’10/10 to the announcer getting his tongue round that name :)’. 

University Challenge fans were left in hysterics after a contestant with an extraordinary tongue-twister name sent them into meltdown

University Challenge fans were left in hysterics after a contestant with an extraordinary tongue-twister name sent them into meltdown

University Challenge found a new star over the summer after Oliver Bowes, a music student from Market Harborough, represented Bristol University’s team, who helped Bristol trounce Trinity College, Cambridge. 

Wearing a dark green wool waistcoat, a red-and-white striped shirt and a beard with a curling moustache, Bowes’ look soon got fans of the show talking on social media.

Many suggested that the student looked a dead-ringer for a member of British rock folk band Mumford & Sons, while others were fixated with the way his ‘tache twirled.

@loudribs wrote: ‘Hey Bristol – Mumford and Sons called. They want Bowes back. #UniversityChallenge’  

@MadeinKendal quipped: ‘#Bristol Bowes taking a break from his day job with Mumford and Sons.’

While @russellhor joked: ‘Who let the banjo player from Mumford and Sons on #UniversityChallenge?’ 

Bearded or otherwise, Bowes helped his team storm to a convincing victory, beating the Cambridge opposition 230 – 95.

Twitter has become a natural sidekick to the show, with #Universitychallenge regularly trending on the social media site when it’s aired, as viewers comment on the questions they can’t (that’s most of them, then) get right and their favourite contestants.

University Challenge fans couldn't resist commenting on the appearance of Oliver Bowes, a music student from Bristol University, who appeared earlier this series

University Challenge fans couldn’t resist commenting on the appearance of Oliver Bowes, a music student from Bristol University, who appeared earlier this series

Oliver Bowes' beard and clothing led to comparisons to popular band Mumford and Sons

Oliver Bowes’ beard and clothing led to comparisons to popular band Mumford and Sons

Hero of last season was quirky Canadian brainbox Eric Monkman, who narrowly missed out on victory after a formidable run with Wolfson College. Cambridge.

Charlie Clegg, a theology student from Glasgow, became a star after suffering a fright from his teammate’s buzzer.

Mr Clegg – part of a team from St John’s College, Oxford – was taken by surprise when teammate Alex Harries buzzed to answer, jumping in his chair and looking bewildered.

And earlier this year in April, student Ted Loveday became an online sensation after powering Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge to glory in the final of the last series.

He answered ten starter questions – and the law student later admitted his team had revised for the programme by watching YouTube videos and researching possible questions on Wikipedia.

The show first aired in 1963, with Bamber Gascoigne asking the questions until 1987 when it was cut due to low audiences. However the show was resurrected in 1994 with Paxman as host.

 

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