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University quiz team disqualified | University quiz team disqualified |
(10 minutes later) | |
The BBC has disqualified University Challenge's winning team for breaking the rules by using a contestant who was no longer a student. | 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. | 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. | 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." | 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. |