‘When did Ken Barlow become host?’ University Challenge viewers mock Jeremy Paxman’s lockdown hair as he sweeps his silver locks into a side-parting and sports new round glasses
- Host sported much longer hair-do too suggesting show filmed during lockdown
- Viewers flocked to Twitter to comment on his flowing locks, with mixed reviews
- Some likened his new look and glasses to Coronation Street legend Ken Barlow’s
University Challenge fans were left wondering if they’d flicked over to Coronation Street last night after host Jeremy Paxman sported a longer hair-do which many likened to the soap character Ken Barlow.
The latest series of the BBC Two student quiz show appears to have been shot at the height of the pandemic, during which hairdressers were forced to close.
In last night’s episode Leeds-born Paxman, 70, who usually sports a closely cropped style with short back and sides, had swept his longer lockdown locks into a side-parting.
He completed his new look with a trendy pair of thick-rimmed glasses with round lenses – and viewers flocked to Twitter to comment on his appearance.
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University Challenge fans were left wondering if they’d flicked over to Coronation Street last night after host Jeremy Paxman sported a longer hair-do which many likened to the soap character Ken Barlow (right: actor William Roach)
Paxman, who usually sports a closely cropped style with short back and sides (pictured), had swept his longer lockdown locks into a side-parting
Opinions were mixed, with a number likening it to fellow silver-haired celebrities including William Roach (who plays Corrie’s Ken), the late artist Andy Warhol and Irish comedian Dave Allen.
One viewer tweeted: ‘Jeremy Paxman sounds like a real grumpy b***** these days. And why is he wearing Ken Barlow’s hair?’
Another commented: ‘In generations to come, historians would do well to measure the stages of 2020 lockdown decay by the state of Paxman’s hair.’
And one asked: ‘What is going on with Jeremy Paxman’s hair? I am finding it and the fun glasses rather triggering.’
Opinions were mixed, with a number likening it to fellow silver-haired celebrities including William Roach (who plays Corrie’s Ken), the late artist Andy Warhol and Irish comedian Dave Allen
‘Not sure what’s happened to Jeremy Paxman’s hair during this lockdown but he’s grown curtains and I’m not vibing this (no offence),’ quipped another.
One fan was more complimentary, tweeting: ‘Mr G likes the Paxman hair and I think he looks a bit like Richard Gere.’
Last night’s episode saw Linacre College Oxford take on Edinburgh University. Linacre started strong, but Edinburgh pipped them to the post, taking the victory by 30 points.
Last night’s episode saw Linacre College Oxford take on Edinburgh University – with the latter taking victory
To observe current social distancing rules, this series perspex panels between contestants have been introduced
The set of University Challenge has remained largely unchanged since its first episode aired in the early Sixties, but to observe current social distancing rules, this series perspex panels between contestants have been introduced.
Contestants are also allowed to wear pieces so they are able to confer, and the show has relaxed the rule that states students can’t play if they’ve taken their degree during the course of the competition.
Though viewers watching at home last week said the ‘boxing off’ of contestants made the show feel more ‘shouty’ with conferring much louder than in previous episodes.