University Challenge star reveals BBC host's true colours and one thing will surprise you

University Challenge star Emily Osborne, who was the University of Aberdeen's team captain during her stint on the programme, has opened up about what it was like to work alongside host Amol Rajan. Amol, a former BBC News editor, took over the show in 2023, succeeding Jeremy Paxman as host. Emily appeared on the programme the same year at the age of 19, when Amol took the helm.

Opening up about her experience as a team captain on the notoriously difficult competition, she told Express.co.uk on behalf of OLBG: "My frontal lobe hadn't really developed. I hadn't really grasped the magnitude of what I was doing. I was only 19 and I never anticipated the virality of the moment that I had. I didn't come from an established university quiz society, and most universities have that. My story is probably a bit more remarkable than most."

When asked what she thought of Amol, she claimed everyone on set was "lovely".

The Economics and Philosophy student added: "Amol Rajan is a really, really nice person, and he came to personally greet all of us and told us that he was nervous as well because it was his first time filming as the new host."

Amol, 42, has continued to host University Challenge in the years following Emily's experience.

Addressing the academic show's future and whether it will remain a BBC staple for years to come, Emily said: "I would hope so. It would be a massive shame if it ended. I think it does have a very loyal fan base.

"I do believe it will continue, and the students still want to get on. 120 universities try to get on every day, and the demand from students to get on is still the same.

"They've included some very current questions as well, which is keeping it more current for a younger audience. I got a question about jungle music, which I don't think they would have had 15 years ago. It's finding that balance."

University Challenge episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.