University Challenge viewers were obsessed with a contestant’s multicoloured jumper

It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last, that a student’s choice of attire has stolen the show on University Challenge.

This week it was Howe from Fitzwilliam college, sporting an eye-catching multi-coloured jumper, that led to budding fashion critics taking to Twitter to poke fun, comparing it to Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat, jumpers from retro children’s show Rainbow and the clown from IT. I see Saved By The Bell, but that may be a generational thing.

I'm not sure which I'm most intrigued by.. Howe's colourful jumper or Leicester's jar of coffee beans.. #UniversityChallenge. pic.twitter.com/wW11y3dnCO

— Jamie Hough (@jmehough) September 18, 2017

My reaction when I saw the jumper on #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/Xypf48JUVu

— Paul Whiteaway (@PaulWhiteaway) September 18, 2017

@UniversityChal see howe's dad lent him his lucky jumper #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/mbEg5v2TDt

— M (@markcb73) September 18, 2017

#UniversityChallenge @Dry_The_Radish steal his look pic.twitter.com/GsS5MDgnE0

— LouisaKeightVEVO (@louitsar) September 18, 2017

Howe knows what he's about and I dig it #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/pFohkpPVzj

— c a r a (@ssempreliberaa) September 18, 2017

Has Howe borrowed that Jumper from Geoffrey Hayes from Rainbow? #UniversityChallenge

Or Rod, Jane and Roger?

The days before Freddy pic.twitter.com/cx1foTgfto

— Stuart Court (@st73u) September 18, 2017

Before the show Paxman asked Howe what he wanted to do after leaving University.

#UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/WMdsCQ8hM7

— Karl Cunliffe (@KDCunliffe) September 18, 2017

Spot the difference… #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/u5w0ht7Xoy

— RachelsVintageRetro (@RachVintage) September 18, 2017

Is that howe or pennywise #universitychallenge

— niamh (@space_odxity) September 18, 2017

Those who joined in on the ribbing may feel bad when they hear that the jumper was allegedly made for his late father in the 1980s, and was worn in tribute.

that jumper was made in the 1980s for Theo Howe's dad (RIP). Worn for luck and for love #UniversityChallenge

— (((Alison Finch))) (@tig14) September 18, 2017

Theo Howe (aka the Technicolour Dreamboat) & jumper have helped to brighten (considerably) 2017 ?? #UniversityChallenge https://t.co/7JOLnciwP1

— Camilla Elworthy (@CamillaElworthy) September 19, 2017

Howe had the last laugh, however, as his team saw off Leicester University to make it into the next round.

Thanks to everyone who watched tonight, congratulations to Fitzwilliam and best of luck for the rest of the series! #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/T8ay9gHmMB

— stan (@snoop__stan) September 18, 2017

You keep doing your thing, Howe.

University Challenge airs Mondays at 8pm on BBC2