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Paul Mackney, general secretary of lecturers' union Natfhe, and Jane McAdoo, president of the Association of University Teachers, helped the Trades Union Congress team to a 150 to 120 points victory over a Cabinet Office team this week, in the first of a new University Challenge series that pits professionals against each other.

When The Diary says "helped", it really refers to Ms McAdoo who, in addition to being team captain, answered four questions on her own.

Mr Mackney failed to answer any questions and his contribution seemed to consist of looking puzzled and then nodding sagely as the team thrashed out an answer.