‘We need jungle, I’m afraid’: how University Challenge went viral on the rave scene

Amol Rajan says there is ‘an ancient debate about where drum’n’bass ends and jungle begins. Photograph: Ric Lowe/Lifted Entertainment/ITV Studios/PA

DJs and musicians looking for a new sound usually draw on classic movies and hit songs for inspiration – not University Challenge. But the venerable BBC quiz show’s new presenter, Amol Rajan, went viral last week after music producers decided something he said was too perfect to pass up.

The 40-year-old journalist said he had become “rather emotional” and had “reconnected … with my younger self” at the attention from DJs, record labels and music fans.