Furious University Challenge fans laid into its host Amol Rajan after spotting a habit that they claimed gave one team an ‘unfair’ advantage.

The TV presenter, 41, succeeded Jeremy Paxman as the BBC show’s front man in 2023 ahead of its 53rd series.

The latest instalment of the iconic quiz pitted Queens’ University Belfast against Imperial College for a sH๏τ at the semi-finals.

Charlotte Stokes, Mattia Elkouby, Captain Matthew Spry and Jaime Salamanca Camacho made up the Imperial side taking on Sarah Carlisle, Jason McKillen, Captain Daniel Rankin and Sam Thompson of the Northern Irish college.

It proved a tense encounter, going right down to the wire, but viewers claimed that Amol increased the speed of his questions towards the end of the decisive round.

Queens enjoyed leads of varying sizes throughout the first half of the contest, but Imperial narrowed the gap in dramatic fashion before the gong sounded with the scores level on 170.

Furious University Challenge fans laid into its host Amol Rajan after spotting a habit that they claimed gave one team an ‘unfair’ advantage

The latest instalment of the iconic quiz pitted Queens’ University Belfast against Imperial College for a sH๏τ at the semi-finals and it went down to the wire 

The Belfast quartet eventually secured victory in a tie-breaker question, but die-hard fans of the show believed that they would have had it wrapped up much earlier had it not been for Amol’s hasty questioning. 

One infuriated fan posted on X: ‘Don’t like it how Amol Rajan mᴀssively speeds up the question asking towards the end of University Challenge. Not fair on the team in front. Should be the same speed all the way through. #UniversityChallenge #bbc’

Another added: ‘Exciting match, though I’ve only ever heard horse racing commentators go as fast as Amol towards the end!’ 

A third said: ‘#UniversityChallenge Cor, Amol can talk at a tremendous pace! If he ever wants a change of career, I’m sure he’d get snapped up by Buckeye Morgan’s Horse Auctions.’

Another posted: ‘Amol determined to get the tie before the gong.’ 

One amused viewer added, ‘The final minute of #UniversityChallenge’, accompanied by a GIF of a man moving his mouth very quickly.

A sixth posted: ‘Amol doing everything he possible can to make sure Belfast go out here. No need for such rushing.’ 

One user said: ‘Amol went full horse racing commentator then #UniversityChallenge’

Belfast eventually won in a tie-breaker question but die-hard fans of the show believed that they would have had it wrapped up much earlier had it not been for Amol’s hasty questioning

Not everyone agreed, however, with some praising the BBC Today host for adding a sense of drama with his rapid-fire questioning

And another added: ‘Slow down Amol #Universitychallenge.’

Not everyone agreed, however, with some praising the BBC Today host for adding a sense of drama with his rapid-fire questioning.

One X user posted: ‘#UniversityChallenge Wow what a cracking game of #UniversityChallenge. No spoilers from me about the victors but tie breaker alert. 

‘Host speeding up at the end to give the game a splendid sense of urgency.’

And another exhilarated fan said: ‘@amolrajan what a brilliant University Challenge tonight, two great teams and Amol you did a great job – never got a word wrong and at such speed. Well done to all. #BBC #UniversityChallenge’

Viewers of the show had a gripe of a different nature last week, criticising the quiz for handing its contestants questions that were far too easy for the series’ challenging reputation.

That instalment of the BBC show saw Christ’s College from Cambridge university take on Warwick in the double elimination quarterfinal stage – and whoever won would get a place in the semifinals.

Amol said: ‘Who was the only person to sign or seal all of the following? The Declaration of Independence that precipitated the American Revolution, the 1778 Treaty of Alliance between the 13 colonies and France, the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the war and recognised the sovereignty of the colonies and the United States Consтιтution, of which he was the oldest signatory.’

Queens enjoyed leads of varying sized throughout the first half of the contest but Imperial narrowed the gap in dramatic fashion before the gong sounded with the scores level on 170

But Belfast captain Daniel Rankin provided the knock-out blow on the tie-break question after it seemed his side had blown their lead

And it was Warwick who managed to get there first.

Siddle answered the correct answer – Benjamin Franklin – and they were given 10 points.

Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to point out the same thing.

One wrote: ‘First question of the show and I got it correct. I’m switching off now. #UniversityChallenge.’

Another tweeted: ‘Actually too easy #UniversityChallenge.’

A third added: ‘Hell yeah got questions right! Years of working at blockbuster paid off.’

At the end of the episode Christ’s Cambridge were the winners.

Christ’s Cambridge had a total of 205, while Warwick had 155 points.

Viewers of the show had a gripe of a different nature last week, criticising the quiz for handing its contestants questions that were far too easy for the series’ challenging reputation 

Those watching at home were a little frustrated after host Amol Rajan asked the first question and many fans were able to answer it with ease

That instalment of the BBC show saw Christ’s Cambridge university take on Warwick in the double elimination quarterfinal stage – and the winners bagged a place in the semifinals

Read More University Challenge fans ‘switch off’ over ‘too easy’ question – but can you get it right?

Amol said: ‘I thought Warwick, you were about to pull off the most amazing comeback there. You were 450 points behind at one point. 

‘You came back incredibly well against a strong team. It’s not the end.

‘We shall see you again.’

He then turned to the winners and said: ‘Christ’s, I’ve got to say, even though you fell asleep for about ten minutes at the end, 205 is an absolutely magnificent score at this stage in the compeтιтion.

‘Especially up against such a strong team in Warwick.

‘And it means you’re our first semifinalists.

‘Congratulations, and do keep awake in the last ten minutes next time because we nearly lost you there.’

University Challenge airs Mondays at 8:30pm on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.