How do they pick them ?

There's nothing more BBC than the Christmas run of University Challenge, featuring selected graduates of various educational establishments..

UCL featured Adam Rutherford, presenter of Inside Science, Radio 4; Tom Dyckhoff, of various BBC TV shows including the Great Interior Design Challenge; and former Tomorrow's World report Vivienne Parry.

Birmingham brought us BBC weather forecaster John Hammond, and BBC news presenter Joanna Gosling.  Oriel, Oxford, were captained by former Top Gear producer Jon Bentley, supported by Dr Who scriptwriter Peter Harness. Trinity, Cambridge, included Zoe Heron, series producer of Horizon. UEA featured 1975 graduate Tim Bentinck, now 'David' in The Archers.

Christ's, Cambridge included Nina Gold, casting director, whose recent work has included Wolf Hall and London Spy, alongside BBC News correspondent James Reynolds and perennial Radio 4 panellist Nathalie Haynes. Essex were captained by Rado 5 Live Up All Night presenter Dotun Adebayo, and included Antiques Roadshow expert Rupert Maas. Exeter brought us Nick Baker, presenter of Springwatch and Autumnwatch, and Barnaby Edwards, who plays a Dalek in Dr Who. Magdelen, Oxford was captained by BBC documentary maker, Louis Theroux. Nicky Campbell features for Aberdeen tomorrow. Durham have BBC news reporter Tim Willcox in their team, and LSE boast Justin Webb of Today and James O'Brien, occasional Newsnight host.