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Gail TrimbleFansite for University Challenge’s ‘cleverest-ever’ contestant |
Following an investigation into the eligibility of a competitor in this year’s University Challenge, the BBC and Granada today issued a joint statement, which reads as follows:
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.
In response, a statement from Corpus Christi College, Oxford reads:
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 team member concerned, Sam Kay, 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 can only apologise to the other competitors and especially to my team as it was never my intention to mislead anyone.”
The University of Manchester team captain, Matthew Yeo, said: “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.”
Too late guys, Gail is gone.
According to the Telegraph, she is to wed Tom West, 27, a trainee solicitor and rector’s son.
Mr West’s father, the Reverand Tim West, said: “We are absolutely delighted for them. I won’t be marrying them and I am delighted at that too. It means I can be father to the groom and husband to my wife and father to my three other sons.
“Gail and Tom are very private personalities and they wanted to keep this as their own private story.”
Sam Kay (above) has been accused of not being a ‘current student’ as allegedly required by the rules of University Challenge.
Sam did Graduate after the first 2 rounds, so an examination of the rules is underway.
I hope that Corpus Christi don’t have to return the trophy.
Coverage
Gail Trimble …..
“ I liked the idea of being able to study philosophy, history, art and even philology (though at the time I wasn’t too sure what that was) all within one degree.”
….. came to Oxford from the Lady Eleanor Holles School (an independent day school in London), where she sat A levels in Latin, Greek, Maths and English Literature:
” I chose to study Classics at university mostly because of the variety. Already at school in Latin and Greek I could combine language work with studying different kinds of literature, and I liked the idea of being able to study philosophy, history, art and even philology (though at the time I wasn’t too sure what that was) all within one degree. I applied to Oxford simply because it’s the best place in the country to do Classics; I liked the fact that the course was four years long and covered such a vast amount (even in comparison with Cambridge), and the wide variety of options, and I looked forward to being taught by various important people in Classics!”
Gail is now in the third year of her four-year degree, and it continues to match the high expectations she had when she applied. The variety is as great as she thought, but it isn’t just academic:
“This is an incredibly fulfilling and stretching degree, involving different ways of thinking for the different subjects within it. I’ve been particularly inspired by the Mods courses on the Aeneid and Thucydides and the West, and all of Mods Logic and Greats Logic and Language. But the best academic experiences tend to be completely unexpected: lectures on Plato’s Symposium on Monday afternoons in the summer, given in a remote room somewhere in the orchards in Worcester, where we would hear brilliant thoughts on Plato as the sun streamed in and ducks walked past the window quacking; or the Greek metre classes which turned into discussions of musical technique and attempts at verse composition over a gin and tonic. I’ve also got a lot out of being a part of the college choir and involved in college drama productions (including producing one on the Edinburgh Fringe). There’s the chance to sing in choirs of a very high standard, and generally to meet lots of intelligent, talented people and make some extremely valuable friendships.”
from classics.ox.ac.uk
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