Bradford team steps back in time for University Challenge Reunited

The University of Bradford team that won the University Challenge final in 1980 were once again in the hot seat when they went head-to-head with the team they originally beat, Lancaster.

The team: John Watt, Mike Bradford, John Simkin, and Maxwell Cooter, with reserve in the original series, Martin Lee.

A special edition of University Challenge Reunited was one of a series celebrating the 40th anniversary of the quiz show.

The Bradford team were re-assembled after the University managed to contact three out of four of the original contestants.

When the University was unable to contact the fourth, John Watt, his place was taken by the original reserve Martin Lee, who attended all of the rounds of the quiz in case of illness. He jetted in from his home in Singapore to attend the show's recording in Manchester.

Although Bradford lost narrowly in the replay, the experience on the show, which was hosted by Jeremy Paxman, himself an Honorary Graduate of the University, brought back happy memories for the group.

Team member, John Simkin, said: "You consign it to history, so it was nice to be contacted and told to come back in for another go. This was our last hurrah."

John Watt, still a fan of University Challenge, was watching the show at his home in Huddersfield and was amazed to see his old team mates on television. A reunion is now being planned.

And with him, his team mates believe they could have won again. "Without a doubt," said team member Maxwell Cooter. "We were only one question away from winning as it was - I'd find it hard to believe that the 'human encyclopaedia' wouldn't have known some the questions that bugged us."

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