University Challenge fans issue warning to player after spotting odd habit

BBC viewers issued a stern warning to one of the show's contestants on the latest episode of University Challenge which aired tonight (September 2).

As Amol Rajan returned to present the popular quiz show, which sees eight students from two different UK universities compete against each other in a game of trivia, one player, in particular, stood out for his very bizarre habit.

Thomas Hart, a maths student from South Wales studying at the University of Warwick, appeared very excited to be on the gameshow and held his elbow up high with his hand always suspended on the buzzer while the show progressed. He then proceeded to slam the buzzer with a lot of passion, sometimes pressing it several times to sure he had pressed it properly.

Fans couldn’t help but notice the habit and offered some words of advice on X: “Very enthusiastic buzzer action from Hart on #universitychallenge tonight,” said one fan.

“Calm down Hart! You'll break either the buzzer or your thumb!” warned another.

A third said: “Do you think Hart has to have physio on that elbow after the match? Or even worse, worked out and trained for it?,” while a fourth penned: “Starter for 10: how much force does Hart’s buzzer button require to activate it?”

But it didn’t stop there, fellow player Oscar Siddle from Islington who is also studying maths began copying his pal, smashing his hand on the buzzer and distracting viewers.

“Are the buttons of Hart and Siddle exceedingly stiff? They both seem to need to push them exceptionally forcefully,” said one fan.

“Is it unkind to say that I really don't like Mr Hart and Mr Siddle?! Far too intense!” penned a second.

“Have Siddle and Hart been in buzzer training?” asked another, while a fourth griped: “Both hart and siddle need to chill omg the button’s not going anywhere.”(sic)

Their efforts paid off, however, scoring an impressive 275 points and shooting them to an easy victory against the University of East Anglia.

Host Amol was impressed with the team's performance, saying it was a “mega, mega score” and that the team “made it look easy”.

Speaking of the launch of the new series, host Amol previously told the BBC: “It’s been a summer of great competition on our screens, with high drama, tense finishes and shining talent.

"And the thrilling new series of University Challenge continues in that vein. The standards are high, the students are magnificent, and the starters for 10 are as addictive as ever. Please join us!”