A FORMER Colchester schoolboy had his general knowledge tested by Jeremy Paxman when he appeared on University Challenge.

Jimmy Chen, 20, from Greenstead, was the team captain for London School of Economics.

Despite his team’s best efforts they were beaten by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine by just ten points, with a final score of 150 to 140.

The former Colchester Royal Grammar School pupil said: “I have watched the programme almost religiously since I was about five-years-old. University Challenge is probably the most prestigious of such quizzes in the UK. Being on the programme was a great honour.

“My fiancée was very proud, even if she was disgusted by our collective lack of music knowledge.”

The team may still be able to make it through to the next round if they have the highest loser score. Mr Chen, who will start his third year of a Government and History degree in October, said: “Jeremy Paxman was very kind and polite while making small talk with the team and at no point were we made to feel like Michael Howard.

“Of course, it’s not fun to lose but the experience will stay with me for a long time. Now that I am a TV celebrity will someone please give me a job?”

The show was filmed at the start of the year and aired last Monday.