BBC fans call out University Challenge contestant after noticing odd habit on Xmas show

Tom Parker-Bowles on University Challenge against Bristol (Image: BBC)

University Challenge fans were left frustrated over this year's Christmas special, as one contestant was called out over his rather unusual habit.

During the festive edition, alumni contestants went head to head in a bid to answer as many questions correctly. On Christmas Eve, Worcester College, Oxford battled it out against Bristol University.

One of the contestants on the panel for Oxford was food critic Tom Parker-Bowles, who is the son of Queen Camilla and her first husband, Andrew.

The 50 year old started well on the quiz show and managed to guess some questions correctly, however fans did notice a rather annoying habit of his.

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One person said on X: "Parker Bowles needs a Paxmanesk telling off for repeatedly conferring on starters #universitychallenge."

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Amol Rajan was hosting the festive edition of the BBC quiz show (Image: BBC)

A second person also chimed in: "#UniversityChallenge Tom Parker Bowles keeps talking to his team mates on starters. Poor show."

A third also echoed: "#UniversityChallenge Parker Bowles. No conferring!"

In the end, Worcester College, Oxford managed to beat Bristol with 155 points to 105, with Tom getting 47 points for his university panel.

Earlier in the week, fans were left completely stunned after one team completely dominated the other in a powerful display.

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Bristol went head to head against Worcester College, Oxford (Image: BBC)

Exeter University went head to head against Bristol in a bid to win a place in the quarter-finals. As the quiz started, it became rather one-sided as Bristol answered all the starter questions correctly and picked up momentum.

Meanwhile, Exeter didn't manage to answer any questions until towards the end of the show, with Amol saying that the team were 'unlucky' and that they were 'beaten by an outstanding team.'

Bristol gave a commanding performance with 290 points, with Exeter only manage a poor effort of 35. Fans of the show couldn't help but react online, saying that Bristol were 'outrageous.'