BBC Eggheads legend Chris Hughes dies aged 77 as quiz show issues heartbreaking statement
Legendary quizzer Chris Hughes has died, the long-running quiz show has announced.
A key member of the show’s original line-up of quizzers and a Mastermind winner, Hughes was renowned for his excellent general knowledge prowess.
The show confirmed the news in a statement on X that read: “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.”
Before long, fans soon rushed to pay tribute to the quizzer, with many expressing their sadness in response.
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. pic.twitter.com/6hoCp1jlHk
— Eggheads Official (@eggheadsTV) February 27, 2025
“Saddened to hear that. Loved Eggheads. Wish it was brought back,” one fan typed.
Meanwhile, a second said: “A wonderful magnificent man. God bless you Chris.”
And another echoed: “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.”
The latter fan was referring to Hughes’ fellow Egghead Dave Rainford who also died in 2020.
At the time, host Jeremy Vine led tributes to the late quizzer, writing on X: “”I’m very sad to hear that one of the Eggheads has died.
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“Dave ‘Tremendous Knowledge’ Rainford, famous for being banned from pub quiz machines in Manchester, was the best company after a recording: always fun and sociable.
“I never saw him angry or ungenerous, not once. RIP.” (sic)
Hughes was one of two remaining Eggheads who’d joined the show’s line-up during its inception in 2003 alongside Kevin Ashman.
The quiz show began life on BBC One before moving over to sister channel BBC Two and eventually finding a new home on Channel 5 in 2020.
Hughes also featured in a number of the quiz show’s spin-offs including Are You an Egghead?, Revenge of the Egghead, and Make Me and Egghead.
Sad to hear of the death of professional quizzer and Egghead Chris Hughes, who was one of our invited guests for our 2017 @QuizFestUK here in the New Forest. A quiet, unassuming man whose retention of general knowledge was vast.A formidable person in the world of quizzing. RIP 💔 pic.twitter.com/UBH8SlLaz8
— Ian Woolley 🇬🇧 (@Quizbritain) February 27, 2025
For Hughes, his on-screen quizzing career dated back to the 1970s after he won £100 on the now-axed quiz show, The Sky’s the Limit.
He also made appearances on Top of the World, Mastermind and The Weakest Link.