The Union has announced the brain boxes that will represent Leeds in the next series of University Challenge.

Frank Jackman, Sam Arfield, Ben Maybee and Caroline Avery beat off competition from nearly 100 other students who took part in trials earlier this month. The team was revealed following a final of 24 hopefuls in the Terrace last Thursday.

Avery, a Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies student, told LS: “The audition process was nerve wracking. I wasn’t confident I’d got in.”

Union Affairs Officer, Bradley Escorcio said: “It’s great to see that we’re submitting a team this year. They’ve done amazingly well to get to this stage.”

The academic quiz show grills some of the UK’s brightest students on their general knowledge.

Arfield, a fourth year medic, said he was “so excited” about meeting host Jeremy Paxman. The team will be interviewed by show producers, ITV, before travelling to BBC Salford studios for filming in March and April next year. The series is due to air next summer.

The University last appeared on the programme in 2011, beating Goldsmith’s, London in the first round but losing out to Clare College, Cambridge for a place in the quarter finals.

Charlotte Mason

Photo: Sam Broadley