If you have watched the current series of University Challenge, you’ll be very familiar with Eric Monkman.
The Canadian, who captains the Wolfson College team, stole the show on his first appearance.
In fact, he has been so ubiquitous that not even the brilliant Bobby Seagull can steal his thunder. It’s very close, though.
There have been certain examples of event television over the years that can’t be missed: the X Factor final. The launch of a new series of Big Brother. And, of course, an episode of University Challenge with Monkman taking centre stage.
HE'S BACK!!! 🤓😎#UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/OlQSfhtEtQ
— Kath 💙🙀🇪🇺✊🏾 (@KathyBurke) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tweet_Dec/status/821085201900204033
Monkman is back!
— will hardy (@wiliamhardy) January 16, 2017
Monkman's on #UniversityChallenge tonight, lads. Brace yourselves.
— David Preece (@davidpreece12) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/_socoamaretto/status/821085480712359936
Monkman back on #UniversityChallenge – shit's about to get real.
— Mike Flint from the UK (@michaelfromuk) January 16, 2017
But wait, are some people fed up with him already?
Monkman is so 2016 #UniversityChallenge
— Stephen Tudor (@SteTudor123) January 16, 2017
Oh no, false alarm.
Wow! #monkman is trending!!!! #UniversityChallenge
— Lucrezia Millarini (@lucrezianews) January 16, 2017
And he’s not just a novelty act. Barely a minute passed without Monkman delivering an answer, and it was normally a correct one.
https://twitter.com/pamesjerry/status/821089042049679361
Not always, though.
https://twitter.com/KushlasBySanaer/status/821088090659942400
At one point, it looked like another superhero on the opposing team might get the better of him.
OMG it's Monkman vs Goldman, it's like Superman vs Batman without the CGI #UniversityChallenge
— Keith Mills (@KeithMillsD7) January 16, 2017
But there was only going to be one winner.
https://twitter.com/billysubway/status/821092059922755584
Of course, once the next episode rolls around, we’ll have to make do without our new hero. But some people have ideas of how to get around it.
Monkman needs his own reality tv show
— Ian Foster (@foz_tweets) January 16, 2017
Someone get that Monkman his own show! #UniversityChallenge
— R E M Y 🦋 (@remybug38) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/Hughesy_B/status/821087620801449985
Catch up with this week’s episode of Football Friday Live: