University quiz team disqualified

Corpus Christi had beaten Manchester University by 275 points to 190

The BBC has disqualified University Challenge's winning team for breaking the rules by using a contestant who was no longer a student.

The title has been transferred to the University of Manchester, the team beaten by Corpus Christi College, Oxford on the TV quiz last week.

Team member Sam Kay was working as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers while the final was filmed.

Mr Kay has apologised and said "it was never my intention to mislead anyone."

Regrettable

A joint statement from the BBC and Granada said: "The University Challenge rules on student eligibility are that students taking part must be registered at their university or college for the duration of the recording of the series.

"Whilst obviously not intending to, Corpus Christi broke this important rule where other universities and colleges taking part adhered to it.

"We therefore find ourselves in the regrettable position of having no choice but to disqualify Corpus Christi from the final. This means they forfeit their hard-fought title which now goes to the Manchester University team."

Mr Kay told viewers of the show he was studying chemistry.

But PricewaterhouseCoopers told the BBC that Mr Kay was employed as a graduate accountant last September and is training to be a chartered accountant.

The final was filmed in November and Mr Kay was an important factor in the showdown, answering two "starters for 10" at a crucial point when his team was trailing.

According to newspaper reports, Mr Kay failed to get funding for a PhD and left the Oxford college after graduating last year.

Speaking after the decision he said: "I hugely regret not confirming my change of status to the University Challenge programme makers before the final rounds."

"I had honestly believed I was eligible as I had indicated my course dates when I applied."

Good faith

The second placed Manchester team had said they had "no desire" for a rematch.

Team captain, Matthew Yeo, commented: "While we accept the decision of the University Challenge judges, we are saddened to have been awarded the trophy under such circumstances.

"As far as Simon, Henry, Reuben and I are concerned the final was a great experience and we believe Corpus Christi College were outstanding opponents."

A spokesperson from Corpus Christi college said: "Our students entered University Challenge in good faith. The team had a wonderful run and we are, of course, disappointed to be losing the title."

The final had already made headlines due to the performance of Corpus Christi's team captain Gail Trimble. The 26-year-old was nicknamed the "Human Google" after scoring two-thirds of her team's 1,200 points on the way to the final.

It was the second time the Oxford college had won the competition, having also taken the title in 2005.

Founded in the early 16th Century, it is one of Oxford's smaller colleges, with fewer than 400 students.