A Christmas episode of University Challenge will not be aired after the BBC was accused of ‘ableism’.
The BBC has apologised, as has University Challenge’s Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios.
The Christmas University Challenge episode will not air after two contestants who had flagged disabilities to producers before the show said it was not made accessible to them, and called the experience ‘distressing’.
According to BBC News, one contestant on the episode – filmed in November – is blind, while the other is neurodivergent.
It’s understood audio description was not provided despite assurances it would be, while a request for subtitles for the neurodivergent contestant was denied.
The blind contestant said that audio description had been promised but just one minute before the show ‘we were told there was no audio description and … your captain will have to explain everything.’
The images included pie charts and maps.
Another contestant who struggles with audio processing had requested subtitles to keep up with the questions at speed and not be disadvantaged, but ‘was told this wasn’t possible.’
They agreed to participate regardless but called it ‘overwhelming and overstimulating’ and impacted them for days afterwards.
The contestants affected went on to complain to the BBC and request that the episode not be broadcast, with one saying they would ‘prefer not to have the manifestation of my disability broadcast.’
It has now been announced the Christmas episode in question will not air, however other planned episodes of Christmas University Challenge will not be affected.
Approached for comment, a BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘We can confirm that an episode in the upcoming series of Alumni University Challenge will not be broadcast because two of the contestants felt their access requirements were not sufficiently met by the production.
‘We are working closely with producers to improve cross industry access … our programmes to ensure a consistent approach is implemented.
‘We would like to apologise to the individuals and teams concerned, and they have been written to personally by the producers.’
Lifted Entertainment said: ‘During the pre-filming briefing for this episode, two contestants requested that certain adjustments be made in order for them to be able to fully participate. However, following the recording, we were made aware that the adjustments made fell short of their requirements. We have spoken to the individuals involved and offered our sincere apologies.
‘Having listened very carefully to their descriptions of their experiences, we agreed with the BBC that the fairest course of action was not to screen this particular edition.’
It comes after the BBC blasted the ‘abuse’ received after it was accused of airing an antisemitic trope.
Oxford’s team used a green Octopus, replacing their original mascot from an earlier round against Southampton, however the new mascot sparked fury online, with viewers accusing University Challenge of platforming an offensive antisemitic trope.
Some viewers seethed at the BBC for allowing the mascot on TV, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
However the BBC wrote in response that they ‘utterly condemn the abuse that has been posted and shared.
‘For the avoidance of doubt, this episode was filmed in March. The mascot is one of many chosen by the team during the course of the series and is one of their favourite animals.’
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