King's College limits the number of men on its University Challenge team

Memo sent out at students' union said men should only make up half of the team
Sexism row: King's College have asked that only half of their team on the quiz show, hosted by Jeremy Paxman, are men
BBC
Fiona Simpson1 December 2016

King’s College London has sparked a sexism row after capping the number of men of its University Challenge team.

The prestigious institute’s students’ union sent an email appealing for more women, transsexual and binary members on the team of four plus one reserve.

The memo insisted that men should only make up half of the team to “combat the male-dominated landscape” of the BBC quiz show hosted by Jeremy Paxman.

Students have branded the move “blatantly prejudiced and sexist”, according to the Sun.

Jasmin Coggins, 23, told the newspaper: “We should make the teams more representative without forcing equality.”

Tommy Fox wrote on Facebook: “What a load of nonsense.”

A spokesman for King’s College students’ union told the Sun: “We’re keen to make sure our team is representative of our student body and as diverse as King’s students.”

The dispute comes just weeks after Jeremy Paxman was caught up in a sexism row after students voted to boycott the show over a comment he made about a knitted doll.

The University of Reading’s students’ union voted not to take part in future episodes of the BBC2 quiz show after the presenter made an off-the-cuff remark about a team mascot during a break in recording.

He was apparently accused of being sexist and misogynistic after he asked the team if they took a hand-knitted Jeremy Paxman doll sitting on the edge of their desk to bed with them.

A spokesman for the show said: "Last year producers spoke with a Reading university contestant about a comment made during a conversation with the whole team, which would appear to have been misinterpreted.

“The student union's recent comments are surprising. We are, however, pleased that Reading university continues to apply for the show."

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