The BBC quiz show Eggheads has confirmed the death of star Chris Hughes. The renowned quiz expert, who was 77, joined the BBC Two programme as a regular panellist in 2003 and had an illustrious career, winning Mastermind, International Mastermind, and Brain of Britain.

His death was announced on Thursday (February 27), reports the Mirror. In a statement, Eggheads said: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Eggheads great Chris Hughes. Chris joined the show in 2003 and over the next 20 years gave us not only brilliant answers but very many laughs and happy memories. He will be hugely missed by all his Eggheads family."

Chris was part of the Eggheads cast since its inception in 2003 and remained on the show until his death. The series initially aired on BBC One in 2003, moved to BBC Two in 2005, and finally to Channel 5 in 2021.

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Chris was a part of the show from its very beginning

During his appearance on The Weakest Link, host Anne Robinson hailed him as "the best contestant we have had" on the show. Despite not answering a single question incorrectly, Chris was voted out in the final elimination round.

Reflecting on his exit, he said: "I'm very disappointed to have fought my way through to the last three, never to have answered incorrectly, and then to be voted off because the other two daren't face me in the final proves that in this country today, and the world at large, mediocrity is a rule."

Fans of the Eggheads star expressed their condolences on social media. One fan said: "Very sad news. I met him when we did the show back in 2015 and he was very affable. I hope he's up there enjoying a pint with dear Dave Rainford."

A second said: "A wonderful magnificent man. God bless you Chris."

The quiz show, presented by Jeremy Vine, continues to be broadcast on Channel 5, although it hasn't aired new episodes since April last year. In May, Jeremy confessed that he hadn't filmed the quiz show for a year and was concerned that it had been cancelled.

He said: "I haven't heard anything about Eggheads for a while now. I think I have done about 1,200 shows - but whether we are doing any more I don't know."

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