University Challenge contestant with a ‘thousand yard stare’ destroys rival team
University Challenge contestant with a ‘thousand-yard stare’ destroys rival team with ‘merciless’ intellect – as his former teacher says he’s ‘the brightest person I’ve ever taught’
- 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 History student, from Ealing, London, sparked hundreds of comments over his ‘merciless’ approach to the quiz – and a string of correct answers
- His former teacher took to social media to call Webb a ‘phenomenon’ and to ask Twitter users to ‘be kind’ about her one-time student
- Webb, who attended Elthorne High School, a state school comprehensive in West London, gained 10 A* at GCSE in 2017
Published: 06:09 EDT, 25 August 2020 | Updated: 07:14 EDT, 25 August 2020
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 ‘merciless’ 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’ superbrain of the series – despite it only being the second round of the student quiz.
After some commented on his awkward body language and deeply intense stare, one of his former teachers, from Elthorne High School in Ealing, West London, asked viewers to ‘be kind’, saying her former student was a ‘phenomenon’.
Webb gained 10 A* at GCSE at the state school comprehensive in 2017.
Scroll down for video
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 history student sparked a storm on social media as he glared at host Jeremy Paxman – and proceeded to get many questions right
‘The brightest student I ever taught’ One of Webb’s former teachers, from Elthorne High School in Ealing, asked viewers to ‘be kind’ saying her former student was a ‘phenomenon’
COULD YOU GET THEM RIGHT? THE QUESTIONS WEBB ANSWERED CORRECTLY…(find the answers below)
What domestic animal links the meaning in old Norse of the Faroe Islands, a well-known aria in J S Bach’s Hunt Cantata, the novel on which the film Bladerunner was based and a pioneer of cloning science that lived from 1996 to 2003?
The Yarra River meets the sea at Port Phillip Bay near which major city?
Name the Italian artist who painted Bacchus and Ariadne, which was commissioned by the Duke of Ferrara and completed in 1523?
Name the Italian artist who painted a panel of the Battle of San Romano dating back to 1440, which was noted for its linear perspective?
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?
Despite his steely demeanour on the show, she added that he was ‘the loveliest kid’.
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’
The school’s library also tweeted, saying they were ‘proud’ of their former student.
Many were left in awe at Webb’s dominance of the episode, with his team-mates frequently heard saying ‘nominate Webb’.
@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.’
Webb pictured at his state school comprehensive in West London in 2017, after gaining 10 A* grades at GSCE
THE ANSWERS…
Sheep
Melbourne
Titian
Uccello
Edward II
@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.
The Oxford Corpus Christi team also comprised team members Libby Cherry (studying English), Michael Zaayman (studying Biochemistry) and Tyron Surmon (studying History and Politics).
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.’
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
