Has University Challenge found its new Eric Monkman?
Johnny Gibson – the excitable team captain from Oxford – has already been labelled this year's quiz star
Published:
Eric Monkman may have flown the University Challenge nest, but there’s a new wide-eyed endlessly-excitable contestant on the show. His name: Jonathan Gibson. His team: Magdalen College, Oxford. His taste in jumpers: turtle.
When you take 4 pro plus and drink several Red Bull's waiting to go on TV.#UniversityChallenge
— University Challenge (@UniversityChal) August 14, 2017
And it only took his brief introduction as team captain during his first round bout with St Edmund’s College, Cambridge for viewers to declare him the star of the series…
GIBSON IS THE NEW MONKMAN IM CALLING IT #UniversityChallenge
— Katie (@katiesim90) August 14, 2017
I LOVE GIBSON I CLAIM HIM #UniversityChallenge
— sofia is seeing h (@signofhetime) August 14, 2017
Mum: You loved him because he had a turtleneck on; didn't you?
Honestly I couldn't fault her logic.#UniversityChallenge #Gibson pic.twitter.com/9m95WlclLd— Jess P (@Ribenarain) August 14, 2017
"Bloody hell, his head's going to explode" – Mum on Gibson #UniversityChallenge
— Rachie (@RachieSambora) August 14, 2017
Are you watching #UniversityChallenge? Crikey, that Gibson's a live wire isn't he? Positively FIZZING with brains.
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) August 14, 2017
So err, #gibson on #UniversityChallenge may just turn out to be this season's runaway favourite! Brilliant performance #magdalen #Oxford
— GStracherz (@g_stracherz) August 14, 2017
Looks like Magdalen Gibson has smashed a 6 pack of red bull before the show #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/AnA5fPo3s9
— Callum Davies (@Callumundo) August 14, 2017
Captain
Leader
Legend
Winner#UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/H8ImD2ebwa— Joel Gleicher (@JoelG_88) August 14, 2017
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) August 14, 2017
Even if some of his new fanbase couldn’t shake an uncanny resemblance…
I'm sure I've seen Gibson somewhere before #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/RR7TkQG1Ko
— Alex Watson (@imAlexWatson) August 14, 2017
And just his case you needed more reason to love Gibson, on his Facebook he lists his perfect experience as “reading a PG Wodehouse novel, listening to Frank Sinatra, watching a 1950s Alfred Hitchcock film, or eating sticky toffee pudding with custard. That says it all.”
Oh Gibson, we can’t wait to see you back in shakey-eyed action. And, thanks to his team’s 80-point victory, he’ll be returning in the show’s second round in a few week’s time.
University Challenge is on 8pm Mondays, BBC2
