University Challenge: viewers hail York contestant Joly de Lotbiniere as having the ‘best surname ever’

The competing student’s surname was a bit of a mouthful for the announcer
'Best surname ever': Barto Joly de Lotbiniere is on the York team for University Challenge
BBC
Ben Travis1 March 2016

In the heat of a particularly intense round of University Challenge, sometimes it’s not the eager students who have the toughest task.

That title lies with the poor announcer, who often has to deliver long-winded tongue-twisting surnames in a rapid fashion – and one person this week provided a particular challenge.

On York’s team was London-based history student Barto Joly de Lotbiniere – whose name sparked much excitement on social media.

One user claimed that it was the ‘best surname ever’, while another wondered what the contestant gives his name as when he goes to Starbucks.

The amusement was compounded by the fact that Joly de Lotbiniere was sat next to his teammate Sam Smith – who, despite having a much more low-key name, revealed that his family have their own crest.

One person even re-imagined the York team as an experimental electronic band – with Joly de Lotbiniere obviously taking the on the role of frontman.

For anyone wondering what Sam Smith’s coat of arms looks like, he posted it online for all to see.

Joly de Lotbiniere isn’t the only unusual surname to have graced University Challenge – this year’s Nuffield College Oxford team included ‘Ormestad Frendem’, Queen Mary’s included a ‘Lovelady’, and St Peter’s Oxford included a ‘Sky Walker’.

It won’t be the last time we see that glorious surname on our screens either – with York walking away with 180 points, they’ll be returning to our screens in three weeks for the semi-finals.

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