Third years star on BBC Pointless

Chemist Martin O’Rourke and Economist Sam Gilbert starred on the popular BBC One quiz show Pointless last week.

After an exceptionally strong performance throughout, especially as the youngest competing team, they were knocked out after a tricky question on Seventies music. Their answer of Beach Boys propelled them to the 100 points, and out of the game.

Martins face following the defeat

“We both decided we wanted to apply to go on the show as we always watched Pointless at home, we applied around November 2013 and got an interview at the Holiday Inn in Sheffield of all places” Martin said.

“We played a game of micro-Pointless with five other pairs, then we were then called back along with another two to have a short, filmed interview. Two weeks later we found out we’d be filming in March.

“The BBC organised our travel to the Elstree studios and put us up in a Premier Inn, they love the budget hotels. We were up 7:30 for a briefing, make up and to look around the studio and get comfortable with the setting. A wardrobe team dressed us so we didn’t clash with the set too. They film several shows in a day so by the end of it it felt like we’d been up a lifetime.

“We were left in the greenroom to chat to the other contestants which was obviously really awkward, and then told to play boards which was equally as thrilling.

“Essentially it did actually feel as if we were quarantined for the day, which was far from ideal.

Sam (left) and Martin (right)

“When we finally got into filming, Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman greeted us at our podiums before each show, that was pretty cool. We thought we might by chance get a photo with them after filming but they swiftly went home.

“The other contestants were really friendly, but it was a bit tense at first with everybody breaking out of their comfort zone. There was a noticeably competitive atmosphere before each show, everyone was nervous but clearly also wanting to win.

“The whole experience was pretty bittersweet considering it could have been £1000 or £2250 prize money, and we’d initally been pretty confident in getting to the final. Id have probably put it towards a new car or gone interrailing in Europe.

Following the episode, there was some confusion on Twitter as to whether Martin and Sam were a couple, and if Martins arms were, or were not, physically glued to his sides.