IT IS a programme designed to challenge the brightest student minds in the country.
Now, a team of well-known university graduates from the University of Hull will have their chance to take the famous University Challenge seats for the show's Christmas special.
The team includes Rosie Millard, Hull's City of Culture chairman.
She will be joined by Dame Jenni Murray, actor Malcolm Sinclair and former Housemartins guitarist Stan Cullimore.
Hull's team will compete against Newcastle University in the first round of the festive series tonight, with a semi-final place up for grabs.
Ms Millard said: "I was absolutely delighted to be asked to take part in this Christmas special.
"Although a little nerve-racking, it was great to represent the University of Hull and I'm looking forward to watching the show.
"Obviously, I can't give anything away, but I'd like to think we did Hull proud."
In the Christmas challenge, teams of prominent graduates from 14 universities and university colleges compete for the glory of their institutions and the honour of being declared champions.
Each team will compete in one of seven first-round matches.
The teams with the highest winning scores will play in two semi-finals, with the winners meeting in the final.
Anthony McReavy, director of development and alumni relations at the University of Hull, said: "It is a delight to see the chairman of City of Culture 2017, Rosie Millard, leading the Hull alumni University Challenge team.
"The university is enormously proud of all alumni in the many fields of endeavour in which they have carved careers and created influence in the UK and across the world.
"What's more, our alumni community is fiercely proud of its university and our city.
"I am certain the team will enjoy the chance to show that a Hull degree is more than enough to withstand direct questioning from Jeremy Paxman.
"We wish our alumni team the very best in the competition and may the best alumni win."
Peter Gwyn, executive producer at ITV Studios, said: "Christmas University Challenge is always a fantastic illustration of the strong intellectual and emotional bonds that people have with the places where they studied.
"This adds an absorbing dimension to what is set to be a fiercely fought series."
The Hull team will feature on BBC Two tonight at 7.30pm.
The Hull teamTHE Hull alumni taking part are:
Rosie Millard, chairman of City of Culture 2017, who read English and drama.
Dame Jenni Murray, broadcaster and journalist, who read French and drama.
Malcolm Sinclair, actor, who read drama and theology.
Stan Cullimore, former Housemartins guitarist, who read mathematics.
