Jonathan Kershaw, Brett Bostock and Peter Barlow to feature on Only Connect on Friday

Photo: BBC

L-R: Jonathan Kershaw, Brett Bostock and Peter Barlow

Three Rochdale men, Jonathan Kershaw, Brett Bostock and Peter Barlow, are set to feature on Friday’s edition of BBC 2 quiz show, Only Connect.

Making up the Eco-Warrior team, all three are ‘quiz whizzes’ and filmed the episode in Cardiff in April.

Between them, they have played in different leagues across the district for over 20 years, such as JW Lees Summer League, Rochdale and District Quiz League, Blue Pitts Raiders, Blue Pitts Rovers and Healey Hotel.

Team captain Brett, from Littleborough, is no stranger to television quiz shows, having appeared on shows like 15-1 since the mid-90s. He believes he has reached more grand finals of 15-1 over the years than any other contestant, having appeared in five.

Now retired, Brett and his work colleagues hit headlines in 2011, after winning £14,000 from Channel 4's Eggheads.

He said: “Only Connect is one of the best tv shows even though there is no prize. It is very challenging but if the subjects suit you, it is easy. I enjoyed every minute of it, and we met some of the nicest people.”

Peter, a local government officer from Littleborough, has been quizzing for about 25 years. He has also appeared on 15-1 and Brain of Britain.

However, for Jonathan, 48, from Castleton, it marked a new experience. Previously he had sat in the audience for the recording of University Challenge: The Professionals and gone through the ‘games-test’ phase of the short-lived Britain’s Brightest with other individuals from local quiz leagues.

He commented: “Britain’s Brightest was the closest I’ve got to anything like that before. It’s the third time we have auditioned and we got the nod this time. We have always watched it and decided to have a go. I would go on like a shot again but I don’t think we can do it again.

“It was brilliant. It is like when you see the voice behind a cartoon character. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience; it was a really good craic - and if you know the answers, it is easy enough. All the contestants we met were brilliant and the production team were fabulous.”

The trio don’t currently have any plans for any future television quiz appearances.

Originally airing on BBC Four, Only Connect moved to BBC Two in 2014. Hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, the show features two teams of three people competing in four rounds of tough gameplay, to find connections between seemingly unrelated clues.

To see how the team did, tune in to Only Connect Eco Warriors V Escapologists on BBC 2 at 8.30pm on Friday 18 August or 4.20pm on Saturday 19 August.