University Challenge contestant with a ‘thousand yard stare’ destroys rival team

A University Challenge contestant with a ‘thousand-yard stare’ is being tipped to be the star of the latest series of the show after he impressed viewers with his ‘fierce’ intellect. 

Seoan Webb, who’s studying Ancient and Modern History at Oxford’s Corpus Christi college, wowed those watching Monday’s episode of the BBC2 academic quiz as he gained most of his team’s points after they conquered Bristol University 175 to 135.  

Taking to Twitter, fans of the show hailed Webb as the ‘stand-out’ contestant of the series already despite it only being the second round of the student quiz. 

After some commented on his awkward body language and intense stare, one of his former teachers, from Elthorne High School in Ealing, asked viewers to ‘be kind’ and saying her former student was a ‘phenomenon’.

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Don’t mess! Oxford student Seoan Webb blew the competition out of the water in the latest episode of University Challenge, which saw his team defeat Bristol 175 to 135

The student sparked a storm on social media as he glared at host Jeremy Paxman – but answered many questions posed correctly 

One of Webb’s former teachers, from Elthorne High School in Ealing, asked viewers to ‘be kind’ saying her former student was a ‘phenomenon’.

London teacher @NikkiCDaniel wrote: ‘Seoan Webb is a phenomenon. The brightest person both Mark and I have ever taught and the loveliest kid. He is the real deal. Please twitter, be nice. Good luck #CorpusChristi’

Many were left in awe at Webb’s dominance of the episode. 

@therussellmoore wrote: ‘Absolutely never tweeted about #UniversityChallenge before but Webb is the new Monkman but with advanced character flaws/backstory. Corpus Christi is powered by Webb’s thousand-yard stare.’ 

@CianDaAddick190 responded, saying: ‘He’s the kind of guy to defeat his haters with no mercy. His intelligence and speed is incredible. Very impressive.’

@Lolisa46 penned: ‘Just when we thought this years #UniversityChallenge was going to be character free along comes Webb and blows it out of the water. A twitter legend already!’  

@LauraWright1000 noted: ‘Webb might as well be playing on his own’ 

Tricky questions correctly answered by Webb included: ‘Gloucester Cathedral contains the tomb of which Plantagenet king after his body was moved there in the 14th century from Berkeley Castle, the place of his death?’ 

Pouncing on the buzzer, historian Webb answered ‘Edward II’, earning more points towards his team’s victory.   

Jeremy Paxman’s predecessor, Bamber Gascoigne, presented the programme for 25 years until 1987. He was known for his smart attire, fluffy blonde hair and spectacles

Uncanny: Belgian student, Van Soest, who represented the Clare College Cambridge team on the latest episode of University Challenge bore a striking resemblance to former host Bamber Gascoigne

During last week’s episode, long time viewers of University Challenge did a double take when tuning in, after one of the contestants appeared to bear an uncanny resemblance to the show’s former host Bamber Gascoigne.

After Belgian contestant Van Soest introduced himself on Cambridge University’s Clare College team, Twitter quickly sparked up with comments suggesting he was a dead ringer for Paxman’s predecessor.

Bamber Gascoigne, who’s now 85, hosted the BBC quiz show for 25 years, and became famous for his famous blonde curls, spectacles and sensible attire – something that Van Soest also seemed to favour.

@SpeirL wrote: ‘Bamber Gascoigne has aged well!’

@iankm888 joked: ‘Great to see Bamber Gascoigne back on #UniversityChallenge’

@thebrianjenkins wrote: ‘I see a clone of Bamber Gascoigne is on #UniversityChallenge tonight.’