by Harry Walsh
h.walsh@donegalnews.com
THERE will be a definite Donegal feel to the BBC quiz show ‘Only Connect’ this evening when Paddy Duffy, from Lifford, teams up with Tipperary woman Ciara Kennedy and Suffolk’s Aaron Boardley as part of the Eurovisionaries team who take on the Fire-Eaters.
The quiz show in which connections must be made between apparently unconnected things, where patience and lateral thinking are as vital as knowledge, is compulsory viewing for quiz buffs like Paddy.
“Yeah. It’s one of the big ones alright. As someone who has worked on two seasons of University Challenge I’ve seen many, many teams fall flat on their faces in the television studio and I didn’t think that I would ever allow myself to be in that position.
“Only Connect is the type of quiz show that people either adore or have never heard of. I fall into the former category and in Ciara and Aaron I found two like-minded souls,” he explained.
The show – which airs on BBC 2 at 8.30pm – was recorded back in May.
“Obviously I can’t tell you have we got on at this stage but suffice to say it all went by in a blur. I really enjoyed the experience. It’s a bit like the Krypton Factor without having to land the plane! It’s the oldest cliché in the book but when you watch a quiz programme on television you always shout out the answers. On this show it got to the stage when I couldn’t even guarantee you that I would get my middle name right!
“When the pressure is on your surety about certain things goes out the window. It was a chastening experience,” he laughed.
The series is presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell.
“Only Connect is the toughest of the tough – believe me,” he said.
When Paddy’s not taking part in quizzes he’s kept busy working as Assistant Producer alongside former University Challenge and Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman.
“We’re off to Washington shortly to see what this whole Trump versus Clinton thing is all about. Thankfully, I’m kept busy,” he said.
Donegal quizzer, Paddy Duffy, second from right, with his team mates.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)