Leicester graduates compete in Christmas University Challenge

Every year University Challenge runs a short series over Christmas featuring graduates of selected universities - and this year Leicester has a team. Representing their alma mater will be:

  • Pete Lawrence (Physics with Astrophysics) - astronomer and co-presenter of The Sky at Night
  • Adele Parks (English, 1990) - bestselling novelist who was a guest at this year's Literary Leicester
  • Danielle Brown MBE (Law, 2010) - archer who won gold at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games
  • Sir Geoff Palmer (Botany, 1964) - brewing expert and human rights activist

The series starts on 24 December and runs through to early January. Leicester face off against UCL in their first round match on Thursday 28 December, broadcast at 8.00pm on BBC 2. The seven winning teams and highest scoring loser will then go into the quarter finals.

The University of Leicester won the first ever series of University Challenge back in 1963.

Related stories

Leicester alumnus Nick won’t rule out third Paralympic Games dream

£6,000 award empowers Leicester’s Black and Mixed Heritage students to embRACE study

Glynis returns to serve the University of Leicester 40 years after graduation

University of Leicester Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls ready to compete on the world stage

Cutting edge Nottingham company welcomes University of Leicester chemistry alumnus to its R&D team

Leicester alumni celebrated for their positive community impact

Prison noise examined in new book from Leicester alumnus