The chemistry between these 'University Challenge' contestants had Twitter going wild

Is their bond simply the deep intensity of a shared quizzing experience, or something more?
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LONDON -- There's nothing quite like an episode of University Challenge to drum up some intense Twitter conversation.

We all remember the man who wore a leather vest and that guy who was afraid of buzzers from the last series of the BBC Two quiz show, and the first episode of the new series -- which aired on Monday night -- didn't disappoint when it came to the contestants.

In the spotlight this time were two University of Bristol students -- Alice Clarke, who was studying Medicine, and Michael Tomsett, who was taking a PhD in Organic Chemistry.


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Throughout the show, their shared interactions covered pretty much the entire spectrum of human emotions.

There were questioning looks...

Via Giphy

...moments of disappointment...

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...mild bickering...

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...and affection.

Via Giphy

The whole thing sent Twitter into a frenzy of speculation.

Ultimately, though, whether their bond was simply the deep intensity of shared quizzing or something more, it paid off -- the Bristol team beat the University of Sheffield 210 points to 130, securing them a place in the second round.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Watch this space.

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Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

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