BBC Only Connect viewers fume at 'awful' format change and say they'll switch off

Only Connect fans were left outraged on Monday after an 'audio-based special' was aired on the BBC quiz show, with viewers saying they 'switched channels'.
BBC Two's Only Connect has sparked some displeased reactions from fans following an "audio-based special" that was broadcast on Monday. The intelligence-testing quiz show, lauded for its tough lexical conundrums and the formidable Missing Vowels round under Victoria Coren Mitchell's adept hosting, encountered online dissent.
Discontent arose amidst the Connections segment when, deviating from standard practice, audio and musical clips were utilised as hints – a method occasionally adopted by the programme but still met with considerable disapproval by some viewers. Though not unprecedented in its history, every instance of such an audio twist tends to polarise the fandom, with a faction insistent that these musical interludes undermine the show's cerebral atmosphere.
‌
Even the most devoted aficionados have expressed clear disdain for the concept, maintaining that Only Connect should remain true to its intellectual spirit and eschew the audio inquiries entirely, reports the Mirror.
‌
One irritated fan posted on social media: "This awful music format should never happen again. Switching channels," while another confessed: "I love Only Connect, but as soon as the music round starts I'm out."
Another audience member echoed this sentiment, saying: "It's a quiz for thinkers, not karaoke night."
Meanwhile, host Victoria Coren Mitchell is gearing up for a new endeavour, stepping aside from her usual role as quiz master on Only Connect to delight fans with a fresh project.
‌
At the age of 52, Coren Mitchell, who has become synonymous with BBC Two's cerebral quiz show Only Connect since 2008, will soon be seen in the guest host chair on Have I Got News For You.
Her much-awaited stint on the panel show is slated to air on Friday, May 23. She'll be joined by the sharp-witted comedian Chris McCausland and the esteemed broadcaster Janet Street-Porter.
The veteran panellist Street-Porter, well-acquainted with the setup, will be marking her 18th appearance on the show.
‌
Viewers can certainly expect an electrifying episode as this trio combine wit, informed opinions, and frank commentary to light up the sought-after Friday night slot.
‌
Known for her razor-sharp mind and distinctive poker-faced humour, Victoria has hosted over 500 episodes throughout 20 series of Only Connect, challenging contestants with her tough trivia questions.
Behind the scenes, however, life is all about family for Victoria, who cherishes time with her two daughters and her husband, the distinguished actor from Peep Show, David Mitchell.
In an open-hearted discussion with the Evening Standard back in 2012, Victoria Coren Mitchell shared her personal views on becoming a mother, stating: "I hadn't experienced the yearning that some women feel to start a family.
"I never had that point that a lot of my friends went through in their early to mid-twenties when they decided that they absolutely wanted children. But I am slightly obsessed with children [so] I absolutely still might."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Premier League legend is 'latest star to join Strictly Come Dancing 2025'

Football fans could see a familiar face on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this year - as former Leeds player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has reportedly been signed to compete on the BBC show With the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing just weeks away from launching, more stars are being linked to the show - with a premiere league icon the latest to be tipped to star. Former Leeds United star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is said to be swapping soccer for sequins as a contestant on the long-running BBC show. The 53-year-old Dutch sportsman stands to be the latest in a long line of football legends to take to the Strictly dancefloor. He would follow the likes of Robbie Savage, Alex Scott and Tony Adams to bid for Glitterball Trophy victory. ‌ The former striker was hired as a coach for the England national team in 2023, but stepped away from responsibilities in August last year following manager Gareth Southgate's exit last August. With time on his hands, it is suggested Jimmy could be among the celebrities taking part in Strictly this year. ‌ A source told The Sun: 'Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character. Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show. "Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game.' The Mirror has contacted representatives of Jimmy and the BBC for comment. Olympian Sir Mo Farah, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - better known as Nitro - and former Big Brother contestant Yinrun Huang are among stars tipped to appear in the upcoming new season. Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are all set to return for the 2025 season - which will be the 23rd in the long history of the show. But after the past two years, bosses are said to be worried about fresh scandal hitting the show. Stirctly has been dragged into disrepute in recent years amid accusations that professional dancers have been physically abusive to their celebrity dance partners. While the celebs have also been accused of offensive behaviour. ‌ Earlier this year, it was reported BBC bosses are practically paralyzed by a "terrible, terrible fear" that more scandal will hit the show - and there have been attempts to clean up the image of the series - and this could also impact star signings. It has been suggested the BBC are taking steps to go risk free and leaving no stone unturned to make sure the line-up is as safe as possible for the 2025 season. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be under consideration - as is Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla. Georgia Toffolo - the I'm a Celebrity Jungle Queen - is reportedly being lined up, as is Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts. Newly married former Love Island star Dani Dyer is being considered, it has been reported, with former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan another name high up on bosses' list. ‌ "There is a terrible, terrible fear among those high up that these awful things are going to keep happening and the show will be brought into disrepute again and again," one well-place BBC insider has told MailOnline. "With that in mind, they are taking no chances. "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. What's been even more embarrassing for the BBC is that Wynne and Jamie have been from their own stable of stars. Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." The report came after 2024 contestant Jamie Borthwick, who is known for playing Jay Brown in the BBC soap EastEnders, was forced to issue a groveling apology after footage was reportedly uncovered showing him making derogatory comments about the people of Blackpool.

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Oasis tour Cardiff stage times and support acts confirmed

We are now just days away from the Oasis Live 25 tour kicking off in Cardiff with final details emerging The support acts playing at as part of the Oasis Live 25 tour are sure to delight most fans - as they have regularly played with Oasis in the past. The first act playing will be Cast, the Liverpool band formed in 1992 by John Power and best known for their 1995 albums All Change. Speaking about playing on the tour, John told the Mirror he will be their as an Oasis fan as well as playing before them. ‌ The band split up in 2001 but reformed in 2010 and last year they toured as support for Liam Gallagher as he played a Definitely Maybe Oasis tour which fans loved. And now the Manchester frontman has personally got them back for the Oasis shows. John said: "I got a call from a number, and I have got Liam and Noel's numbers and all that, but it was a different number, and I don't normally answer them. ‌ Get Oasis updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the hotly anticipated Oasis reunion tour grows closer, the Mirror has launched its very own Oasis WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the Gallagher brothers and all the information you'll need in the run up to the gigs. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "And I picked it up, and it was Debbie, Liam's manager and his wife, and Liam in the background as well. And then Liam, he'd just spoken to Noel and they just discussed it, and they just said, 'You know, look, we just spoke to our kid. Do you want to open up on the tour?' "I was like, 'You know, I think I do actually!' And it was a really cool conversation, and then we were blown away like, I mean, it was like the best news we could have hoped for." He adds: "It's the biggest tour this year and it authenticates the legacy of Cast. This is a band in previous years if there was a Britpop list, top 20, we wouldn't even be in it. "But now you can't do it. Because it's like the biggest band of that time are saying 'check this out'." ‌ As well as the call from Liam, Cast firmly have the Oasis seal-of-approval with Noel Gallagher previously describing frontman John as being 'as cosmic as the day is long.' Fans can expect John to belt out 'Alright' and 'Finetime' to fire up audiences from the off, while slow burners such as 'Sandstorm' and 'Walkaway' are perfect for early singalongs in the stadiums. After touring with Oasis, Cast will then be on the road themselves with dates going through the year. ‌ The second and main support act will be Richard Ashcroft, the former Verve frontman. He has been playing alongside Oasis since the Nineties when they began. When they started out Oasis would support The Verve at shows because they were the bigger band. Speaking about the upcoming tour, Richard said: "I see it as I've got a very important part to play in this. "You know, back in the day Oasis supported The Verve and then it flipped around and we supported Oasis at Earls Court, then I as a solo artist have played with Oasis." ‌ He went on to tell the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X: "I said to Noel, 'You know, I think I'm the only person who could go in this slot. Especially for a huge outdoor show, because everyone wants you lot. And unless you're coming with something, unless you've got something to offer, I don't know what's gonna happen'." Get Liam Gallagher updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the hotly anticipated Oasis reunion tour grows closer, the Mirror has launched its very own Oasis WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on Liam Gallagher in the lead up to the band's gigs. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A two-time Ivor Novello Award winner (Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Contribution To British Music), Ashcroft has become an accomplished and influential songwriters. ‌ His first chapter with The Verve reached a remarkable peak with 'Urban Hymns', and his support slot is sure to be a hit-laden set with the likes of 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', 'The Drugs Don't Work', 'Lucky Man' and 'Sonnet'. These tracks made Urban Hymns one of the biggest selling albums in UK history with 11 x Platinum certifications. As well as the Oasis Live 25 tour, Ashcroft will play select headline shows and festivals this Summer. According to the official Prinicipality Stadium website, doors open for the opening gig on July 4 at 5pm. Both support acts will be expected to play 30-45 minutes on stage, before the main event of Oasis back on stage for the first time since 2009. Based on previous shows at the Principality Stadium, the main headline act normally ends around 10.20pm. Cast would therefore be on stage around 6.30, followed by Richard Ashcroft, with Oasis taking to the stage around 8pm. Last Summer the Foo Fighters played the Principality Stadium and came on at 7.35pm but played an epic 25 song set. Oasis who are returning after some time away, may play a slightly shorter set, especially based on their history of punchier shorter set lists.

Glasgow Times

3 hours ago

• Glasgow Times

Oscar Branning to return to EastEnders after eight years

Oscar Branning, the son of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), will be played by Pierre Moullier. The now 17-year-old Oscar was previously portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Moullier's debut comes as on-screen father Max, played by Jake Wood, is also rumoured to return later in 2025. Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.' Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'. EastEnders new executive producer Ben Wadey, said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up. 'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. 'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.' Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother. The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show. Recommended reading: Jake Wood - EastEnders return Jake Wood will make his return as Max Branning later this year. (Image: BBC) Jake Wood, who plays the role of Max Branning, will reportedly be arriving back on the BBC soap later this year too, as he has 'loads of unfinished business'. The 52-year-old was last seen in Walford in 2021, when he departed the programme after 15 years. Since The Sun announced the news about Jake's return to EastEnders back in May, many fans have took to social media to share their excitement, with some saying his upcoming Watford arrival is 'going to be epic'.