The BBC has disqualified the latest University Challenge winning team for breaking the rules by using a contestant who was no longer a student.
The BBC has disqualified the latest University Challenge 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.
By the time the final was filmed, team member Sam Kay was working as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
By the time the final was filmed, team member Sam Kay was working as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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."
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.
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.
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 Corpus Christi spokesperson
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 Corpus Christi spokesperson
"Whilst obviously not intending to, Corpus Christi broke this important rule when other universities and colleges taking part adhered to it.
"Whilst obviously not intending to, Corpus Christi broke this important rule when 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."
"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."
In the introductory part of the show, Mr Kay told viewers he was studying chemistry.
In the introductory part of the show, Mr Kay told viewers 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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
"I had honestly believed I was eligible as I had indicated my course dates when I applied."
Sam Kay said he honestly believed he was eligible to competeThe second placed Manchester team had said they had "no desire" for a rematch.
Sam Kay said he honestly believed he was eligible to competeThe 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.
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."
"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."
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.
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.
Ms Trimble was unavailable for comment, referring all calls to the university.
Ms Trimble was unavailable for comment, referring all calls to the university.
It was the second time the Oxford college had won the competition, having also taken the title in 2005.
The captain of last year's winning University Challenge team said it was a "tragic" way for Manchester to win the contest.
Founded in the early 16th Century, it is one of Oxford's smaller colleges, with fewer than 400 students.
Christchurch, Oxford, team leader Max Kaufman told the BBC: "I don't think anybody would really want to win under these circumstances.
"And I think given that there's no cash prize at stake and it is purely for the honour of the thing I feel it is rather a tragic way to win in the end."
Do you think the BBC's decision was too harsh? Have you ever competed in University Challenge? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below:
Do you think the BBC's decision was too harsh? Have you ever competed in University Challenge? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below:
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