Eggheads star Chris Hughes dies aged 77
'Chris gave us not only brilliant answers but very many laughs and happy memories.'
Eggheads quiz show star Chris Hughes has died at the age of 77.
The news broke via an official statement on the Eggheads social media page.
The announcement reads: ‘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.’
One of Britain’s most well-known quizzers, Hughes won Mastermind and International Mastermind in 1983 and Brain of Britain in 2005.
He is one of only seven people ever to have won both Mastermind and Brain of Britain.
Hughes began appearing as a panelist on Eggheads in 2003 (Picture: BBC)He then went on to become a regular panelist and fan favourite on the popular quiz show Eggheads starting in 2003.
The show, which first aired that year, pits quiz and trivia show winners from shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The Weakest Link, and Mastermind against amateur quizzers.
Hughes regularly appeared on the show until 2023.
A Facebook post confirming his passing states that a service will be held for Hughes on March 14 at Crewe Crematorium, followed by a wake at a local pub.
Loved ones of the star are asking that fans wishing to pay condolences to the family donate to Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation.
Born in Enfield, Middlesex, in 1948, Hughes was educated at Enfield Grammar School.
Hughes is considered one of the greatest quizzers of all time (Picture: BBC)The quizzing icon worked as a train driver and a railway worker before he rose to fame as a master quizzer.
One of the most famed contestants in The Weakest Link history, Hughes appeared on the show on 24 September 2001.
He was voted out in the final elimination round without answering a single question incorrectly, causing host Anne Robinson to declare him ‘the best contestant we have had on the Weakest Link.’
Instead of using her usual sign-off, ‘You are the Weakest Link, goodbye!’ Robinson simply said ‘Goodbye Chris,’ as she felt it wasn’t fitting to use the catchphrase following Hughe’s flawless run on the show.
Fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to the TV stalwart.
X user @potterwigham wrote: ‘A wonderful magnificent man. God bless you Chris.’
Fan Joanna Goodyear wrote on Facebook: ‘This is devastating, Rip. I can’t believe he’s gone. All these years I’ve been watching him on telly when he was on Eggheads, he was fantastic in every single episode & he will be missed by so many ppl. Sending my love & condolences to his friends & family during this time xx’
Past Eggheads contestant Ian Colgan wrote on Facebook: ‘Went head -to- head with him in a tiebreaker when we did Eggheads- a lovely guy RIP Chris.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
