Christmas Special Top Class

On the Top Class Christmas special today...

Johnny, Rachel, Lauren... TEETH CHATTER

..and Tallulah, playing as the Puddings.

And competing against them are Barney...

CLANG!

..Naomi, Ed, and Alex...

BELCHING SOUND

..playing as the Jingle Bells.

But who will be Top Class?

Hello, and welcome to the Top Class Christmas special,

the search for the UK's smartest celebrities.

Let's meet our teams.

First up, it's the Puddings.

Johnny, you're a comedian.

What subjects were you good at at school, Johnny?

I liked a bit of drama cos we could take our shoes off,

and my feet stink, so I loved it.

Could you keep your shoes on for the show, if that's OK?

I'll put them back on if you want.

Just so that Rachel doesn't feel slightly sick.

They do smell a little bit.

Rachel, we're used to seeing you on Match Of The Day Kickabout.

Apart from football,

what subjects do you want to come up on Top Class today?

Football.

Right. Lauren, you're the captain of the Puddings.

-Apparently, yes.

-Apparently.

-Who nominated me for that?

-I don't know, but you're there now.

-Have we got a picture of Lauren?

-No!

SHE SQUEALS

That is cute, that. That is so cute!

Can I ask you, what the occasion was, Lauren?

It was dress up as a mouse day!

It's something we did regularly at my school.

Just - hey, come in as your favourite mouse?

And you're like, yeah!

Tallulah, your character Lauren can be quite negative.

Are you going to be positive about Top Class today?

-Yes!

-Yes, that sounded great!

Yes, positive!

-Positive!

-Yes!

-Well, best of luck. Please give it up for the Puddings!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And playing against them are the Jingle Bells.

Alex, we know you from all over the workplace.

Are you going to work hard to win today?

I've been studying hard for weeks.

-Have you?

-Well, not... Not really.

Ed, now, hang on a second,

I wonder if we've got a picture of Ed

that we might be able to have a look at.

Oh, my goodness!

-Which one's Ed?

-Oh, I've got it.

-Which one are you, Ed?

Just the coolest one, on the end, there.

As you can see, we were the coolest gang in school.

You probably were, weren't you?

Naomi, welcome. You're the captain.

Do you know what? The vibe coming from over there

is of a very competitive team.

And I think we like to pretend we are not competitive,

but deep down we are.

Do you know what I like?

While you're speaking, Tallulah is just staring you down.

Finally, Barney,...

-Hello.

-You get to do loads of cool stuff on Blue Peter.

Have you got the nerve for Top Class?

-No.

-Great.

So, what subjects would you like to come up, Barney?

To be honest I wasn't really good at anything at school.

Is there anything that you think you can help answer questions on?

Yes.

Good. Excellent. Please welcome the Jingle Bells,

give them a round of applause, everybody.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Let's kick straight off with a lightning round.

In this round you will each be given a word search.

Puddings, you're up first.

You're looking for Christmas decorations.

There are eight in total.

Your 45 seconds starts now. Lauren.

I was ahead of the game there - wreath!

Is that there? It is.

-Johnny?

-Stocking.

Is that there? Yes. Rachel.

-Bauble.

-Bauble, is it there?

Yes.

-Lauren?

-Star!

-Star?

-Yes, it's there.

-Angel.

-Johnny?

-Angel.

Angel, is that there?

Yes. Lauren?

Candle, is that there?

It is.

Turns out I'm just really terrible at this.

Come on, Tallulah, come on!

Ten seconds. Tallulah.

-Wreath.

-You've already had wreath.

Oh! Sorry.

It's already gone, that one. It's already gone, that one, mate.

And I can tell you, at the end of that round,

you scored six points, Puddings.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

You missed two.

And the two you missed were...

-fairy.

-Oh, yeah!

-You see it now? And...

tinsel was the final one.

-Where? Oh, yeah!

-Just there.

Next up are the Jingle Bells.

You're looking for things you would have at Christmas dinner.

There are eight in total.

Your 45 seconds starts now.

-Barney.

-Goose.

-Is goose there?

It is. Naomi.

-Stuffing.

-Stuffing?

Correct. Naomi.

-Potatoes.

-Potatoes?

Yes.

-Ed?

-Parsnip.

Parsnip? Yes.

-Barney?

-Gravy.

-Gravy?

Yes. Naomi?

-Sprout.

-Sprout?

-Yes.

-Well spotted.

-Alex?

-Ham.

-Ham?

Yes.

Ten seconds.

One more to find. Naomi?

-Turkey.

-Turkey? Is Turkey there?

Yes, it is! Well done!

You got eight points!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Well done, teams, you got lots of points on the board! Well done.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

OK, teams, from now on,

throughout the game you will get the chance to take control for each

subject. Here's your first subject.

It is...

Science.

-Great!

-Here is your control question.

Which organ produces insulin...

-Barney.

-Pancreas.

..produces insulin to help process all the sugar

from the Yule log I ate?

You said pancreas, you're absolutely right, Barney,

you're absolutely right!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Well done. Jingle Bells, you have control of the game.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of Food Chains.

You're going to see a food chain of animals in Lapland,

however, it's all mixed up.

You need to arrange it into the correct order,

starting at the top of the food chain.

Here is your mixed up food chain.

Fox, lemming, grass, wolf.

Is it wolf, fox, lemming, grass?

-That's what I'd go for.

-Yes.

I think it may be a trick question.

The fox might be a hard case.

I can tell you right now, Top Class does not give trick questions.

We think it's wolf,

then arctic fox, lemming, grass.

Grass at the bottom of the food chain,

that's what you've put as your order.

Let's see how many you've got right.

All of them right!

five points, Jingle Bells! Well done!

Well, it's all about getting control of the game, and I can tell you,

after that round, the Puddings have six points,

the Jingle Bells have 13 points!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

The next subject is...

..Maths.

Here is your control question.

This year, Father Christmas has increased

the number of reindeer he has by 50% to improve productivity.

He started off with eight reindeer, how many does he have now?

-Barney?

-12.

12?

It's the right answer, Barney, it's the right answer!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of arithmetic.

I head downstairs on Christmas morning.

There are 20 presents under the tree.

Two for mum, two for dad, ten for my little sister, and six for me.

First question, what percentage of the presents are mine?

So, ten plus six, plus two, plus two, is 20.

If I've got six out of 20, then that's 30% of the presents,

-I think, isn't it?

-Yes.

Yes. We think 30%.

30%, is that the right answer?

It is, well done.

Second question:

I pick out a present at random.

What is the probability it's for my little sister?

She's got ten.

It's 50-50, isn't it?

-She's got half the presents.

-Is it the percentage they want?

The probability. One in two?

We're going to say one in two.

One in two, that's how you're expressing it to me?

-Oh, not necessarily.

-You look really angry!

-One in two?

-A one in two chance.

-It's the right answer!

Well done, it's the correct answer!

Oh, that's mean, Susan.

What is the mean number of presents per person this year?

If your presents were bought by a really mean auntie,

would they be the mean presents?

Not having it, are you? Mean number of presents...

So, is that halfway?

-Is mean the average?

-The average.

-Is that the mean?

-Mean is the average. Yes...

Oh, the median... I'm getting... Let's say... Go on.

Five.

Five?

It's the right answer, well done.

We are blagging this, amazing!

Finally, Dad managed to wrap 15 of them

in gold paper before running out.

All the rest are wrapped in silver paper.

What is the ratio of gold to silver presents?

I was asleep during maths.

Hang on, so, there is 20.

Five of which are silver.

So, it's 15...

15 gold, five silver.

-Three to one.

-Naomi?

-Three to one.

-Oh, I said that!

-Three to one.

Three to one, is that the right answer?

-Yes.

-It is the right answer! Five points to the Jingle Bells!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

At the end of that round, the scores are...

the Puddings have 6,

the Jingle Bells have 18 points!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Here's your next subject.

It is...

..Geography.

Come on, we've got this!

Here is your control question.

In Italy, gifts are said to be delivered by La Befana,

the Christmas witch.

But what does she ride instead of a sleigh?

Johnny?

A gondola.

I can offer it over. Anyone want to buzz in straightaway?

-Barney?

-A broomstick. She's a witch.

That's the correct answer!

-Genius!

-Genius, who knew that a witch flies on a broomstick?

It's an obvious answer.

Barney is really showing himself up as somebody who

pretends not to know a single thing,

but has so far answered every single control question in the game.

Here are the rest of your questions

on the subject of the Winter Olympics.

First question: in which country is Turin,

host of the Winter Games in 2006?

Italy.

-Italy.

-You're saying Italy. Is that right?

It is, well done. In which country is Innsbruck,

which has hosted the Games twice?

Is it Austria? Innsbruck?

-Austria.

-Is it Austria?

Yes. In which country is Grenoble,

which hosted the 10th Winter Games?

France, it's in France, isn't it?

I think Alex should be team captain.

-France.

-Is it France?

It is, you're doing a grand job, Naomi.

Don't give up that seat for anyone, lady.

In which country is Oslo, host to the Winter Games in 1952?

-Norway.

-Norway.

-Norway.

-Is it Norway?

It is, five points go to the Jingle Bells!

Well done!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, I can tell you, at the end of that round,

the Puddings have 6,

the Jingle Bells have 23!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Next up...

it's time to test the teacher.

As this is a special show, we have something a little bit different.

I mean, there's no way we'd be able to bring any of your old teachers,

we wouldn't be able to do that at all.

We just couldn't do that.

Yes, we can. First up, I hope you've done your homework, Tallulah...

LAUREN GASPS

..because here to play for your team,

it's your old teacher, Mrs Frew!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Mrs Frew, when was the last time you saw Tallulah? How long ago was it?

-Two years ago?

-Two years.

And what was Tallulah like at school, Mrs Frew?

Always late.

Meticulously dressed in non-school uniform,

carrying a cup of coffee.

Oh, my word!

Tallulah, Mrs Frew is going to be playing for your team.

Now, you need the points, Tallulah.

How do you think Mrs Frew is going to do

answering questions on popular culture for you?

I have a lot of faith, because

she's a teacher, she knows everything. So... Yeah.

Mrs Frew, I'm rooting for you.

60 seconds, start the clock.

What does the online acronym YOLO stand for?

-You only live once.

-Yes!

-Correct.

Which duo presents the TV show Saturday Night Takeaway?

-Ant and Dec.

-Correct.

-Yes!

Who is singing on this version of a Christmas classic?

# Have yourself

# A merry little Christmas. #

-No idea.

-Sam Smith.

In which 2015 video game do players play football

with rocket-powered cars?

-Er...

-Don't know.

-Rocket League.

What is the name of this vlogger and writer?

-No idea.

-John Green.

Matron Gertrude and Gideon Speed are characters in which BBC drama?

-Pass.

-Hetty Feather.

Which judge from the X Factor voices

the character Sina in the Disney film Moana?

-Pass.

-Nicole Scherzinger.

What B is a short jacket with elasticated cuffs and waistband,

originally designed for military pilots?

-Pass.

-Bomber jacket.

In the TV show Be Cool Scooby-Doo,

what is the name of the van the gang travel round in?

-Magic Machine?

-No, it's the Mystery Machine, Mrs Frew!

Oh, I so wanted it!

You got two points, Mrs Frew!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I think you did very well, Mrs Frew,

-you got two points for your team.

-Thank you.

For now, you are dismissed, Mrs Frew. Well done!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Tallulah, I think she did great, didn't she?

-Yeah.

-She did.

-No, I'd be proud of her, no matter what she did.

Absolutely. OK, Jingle Bells, you're looking a bit nervous over there.

Whose teacher are we going to reveal?

Ed, it's only your old drama teacher, Mr Caldicot!

Yes, it is!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Mr Caldicot, welcome.

How long has it been since you've seen young Ed over there?

About four years.

And tell me, what was Ed like at school?

Quietly rebellious is how I would describe it.

-Quietly rebellious!

-Yeah.

Now, Ed, how do you think Mr Caldicot is going to do

answering these questions on popular culture? Be honest, Ed.

Well, I'm very happy to have him here, but we're in big trouble.

LAUGHTER

Do you think he's right, Mr Caldicot?

-Absolutely 100% right, yes.

-Really? Oh, my goodness.

Fingers crossed. 60 seconds on the clock.

Start the clock.

The title character of the 2017 Lego movie

-is which DC comic's hero?

-Batman?

Correct.

Garden Warfare is a recent instalment

in which video game series?

-No idea.

-Plants Versus Zombies.

Which band is singing on this version of a Christmas Carol...?

# We wish you a merry Christmas We wish you a merry Christmas...#

-Nope.

-It's The Vamps.

Mildred Hubble is a character in which television show?

-No.

-The Worst Witch.

What is the name of this vlogger and writer?

-No.

-Zoella.

The Minions first appeared in which animated film?

-Despicable Me.

-Correct!

In the Harry Potter books,

Harry's Patronus takes the form of which animal?

-Owl?

-It's a stag.

In the television series Sesame Street,

what colour is the Cookie Monster?

-Purple?

-No, it's blue.

How many Kung Fu Panda feature films have been released

in the cinema as of 2017?

-Four.

-Three.

Professor Robert Kelly's live BBC TV interview famously went viral

after his children unexpectedly burst into the room,

how many children were there?

-Four.

-Two, Mr Caldicot!

But I tell you something, you got two points, Mr Caldicot!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Mr Caldicot, I think you did really very well there, and I can tell you,

you couldn't see it, but Ed was cheering you on

every single time you got the right answer.

You got two points for your team.

For now, Mr Caldicot, you are dismissed. Well done, sir!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-Well done, Mr C!

-Ed, two points!

I know, didn't he do well?

It was just at the start when he went, "Batman?!"

And he got it right!

Yes, it was kind of downhill from there, but...

Yeah, but he got two right!

-I know, it was great.

-At the end of that round, the score is now...

Puddings have 8,

Jingle Bells have 25!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

OK, teams, time to do some work.

It's time for Pet Subjects.

Now, for all of you, your pet subject will be your own CBBC shows.

The Puddings, you're going to go first.

You're going to have 30 seconds on the clock.

Start the clock. What is the name of Johnny's co-star

-who he presents his...?

-Inel.

Correct. Which drone is the referee on Airmageddon?

Oh! You know!

-Rachel? No, you can't confer.

-Pig.

No, it's Air Marshal.

The den built by the Dengineers for Carrie from Leeds

is themed with which type of sweet food?

-Gingerbread.

-Correct.

In series three of Millie Inbetween,

what's the name of Millie's made-up boyfriend?

-Grant.

-Correct!

Complete the lyric from the Johnny and Inel Show theme song,

"My alarm wakes me up, I'm ready to..." what?

Rise.

Correct answer, well done, Johnny!

You got four points!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Right, the Jingle Bells, it's your turn.

30 seconds on the clock.

Start the clock. On Blue Peter,

which English county did Barney travel to

for the World Pasty Championships?

-Barney.

-Cornwall.

Correct. Alex regularly presents reports

for which popular BBC One magazine show?

-Alex?

-The One Show.

-Correct.

In All Over The Place, who presents the episode filmed in Dubai with Ed?

-Iain Stirling.

-Correct.

In the Marrying Mum And Dad episode Dogs,

which CBBC star makes a guest appearance?

-Ed?

-Dodge the Dog.

Correct. In 2017 on Blue Peter,

Lindsay tried which sport with a girls' team in Leeds?

-Barney.

-Hockey?

-American football.

You got four right at the end of that round.

Well done, Jingle Bells!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I can tell you, at the end of that round, the scores are...

Puddings have 12,

Jingle Bells have 29.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

OK, on with the game.

The next subject is...

English. Here is your control question.

In the phrase, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,"

which word is the preposition?

Johnny?

-Chestnuts.

-Incorrect.

Anyone want to buzz in?

-Alex?

-On.

On? It's the right answer, well done, Alex,

that was the preposition.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of spelling.

Spell the name of the animal in the picture.

Shall I write it down as well?

Correct.

Are you playing along over there, Puddings?

We thought it was a moose!

LAUGHTER

Second question, spell the name of the plant in this picture.

Mistletoe, correct.

Spell the name of the bird in the picture.

It's not a moose.

Partridge. Commonly found in a pear tree.

Finally, spell this profession.

-Is that how you spell it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, yeah.

It's the right answer, five points to the Jingle Bells.

And I can tell you, at the end of that round, the scores are...

Puddings have 12,

Jingle Bells have 34.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

It's all about buzzing in.

This is your last round before the end round,

-so, if you're going to buzz in...

-Just please, don't buzz in!

The next subject is...

-Come on!

-It's a Mystery!

ALL: Ooh!

How exciting!

Today's mystery round is about Christmas carols.

Here is your control question.

Which Christmas carol includes the refrain,

"O tidings of comfort and joy"?

-Johnny!

-Come All Ye Faithful.

No, it's not!

-Naomi.

-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

Yes, it's the right answer!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Well done, Jingle Bells.

Here are the rest of your questions

on the subject of Christmas carols.

Which two rhyming words are missing from this carol?

-Naomi.

-Ringing and singing.

Is that right?

It is.

Second question, which two rhyming words are missing from this carol?

-NAOMI SINGS:

-# Field and fountain moor and mountain. #

-Yep.

-Fountain and mountain, is that right?

-It is.

-Well done!

Third question, which two rhyming words are missing from this carol?

On the feast of...

-We said Stephen, didn't we?

-Stephen.

Stephen. Deep and crisp and EVEN.

Stephen and even, is that right?

It is. And finally, which two rhyming words

are missing from this carol?

-Holly and jolly.

-Holly and jolly.

It is. I'd quite like it if you

maybe sang that for me, Naomi and team.

ALL SING: # Deck the halls with boughs of holly

# Fa la la la la, la la la la

# Tis the season to be jolly Fa la la la la, la la la la. #

Well done, Jingle Bells, you got five points in that round.

Puddings, there is a point up for grabs.

If I think you sing it better than that team, I'll give you a point.

-Let's harmonise.

-Sing Deck The Halls for me.

THEY TRY TO SING IN HARMONY: # Deck the halls

# With boughs of holly

# Fa la la la la, la la la la

# Tis the season to be jolly

# Fa la la la la, la la la la. #

You get a bonus point. Well done, Puddings!

And I can tell you, at the end of that round,

the scores currently are...

Puddings have 13,

Jingle Bells have 39.

OK, teams.

This is it. The last chance to score some points.

It's the Battle of The Buzzers.

90 seconds on the clock.

Start the clock.

The Adventures Of The Blue Carbuncle

is a Christmas story featuring which fictional detective?

-Johnny?

-Tintin?

No, it's Sherlock Holmes.

The Mouse King is the villain in which ballet,

traditionally performed around Christmas?

-The Nutcracker.

-Correct.

Lapland is an administrative region of which European country?

-Lauren?

-Finland.

-Correct.

Which author wrote the fairy tale the Snow Queen in 1844?

-Lauren.

-Hans Christian Andersen.

Correct. Which European capital city gives its name to a vegetable

commonly eaten at Christmas?

-Alex?

-Sprouts, Brussels sprouts.

Correct. In the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas,

how many of Santa's reindeers have names beginning with D?

-Johnny?

-Four?

-No, it's three.

Often made into a straw ornament,

which farm animal beginning with G

is a Christmas symbol in the Scandinavian countries?

-Lauren.

-Donkey.

-No, it's a goat!

-With G!

In Christian tradition,

Gabriel and Michael are types of what heavenly being?

-Alex?

-Angels.

-Correct.

According to the lyrics of the song Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,

how many times is Santa checking his list?

-Barney?

-Twice.

Correct. Emperor is the largest living species of which Antarctic...

Johnny.

-Er...

-Swan?

Penguin.

The lowest temperature recorded anywhere in the UK

was in which of the union's four countries?

-Lauren.

-Scotland.

Correct. The famous Christmas Eve

Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols

is held at King's College in which university city?

-Ed?

-Canterbury.

-No, it's Cambridge.

One of the largest Christmas markets in the world is Dresden...

-Rachel.

-Germany!

Is the correct answer, well done, Rachel!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That was so exciting! You've all done incredibly well,

but the winners of Christmas Top Class, with 43 points are...

The Jingle Bells!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Bad luck to the Puddings.

You put up a wonderful fight, Puddings.

Give them a huge round of applause.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Jingle Bells, you are the winners. You are our Christmas Top Class.

Alex, how does that feel?

It felt amazing.

-Ed?

-I could take it or leave it, cos I'm not very competitive.

LAUGHTER

-Naomi?

-I'm honestly very shocked.

How do you feel, Barney?

What can I say? It feels like Christmas.

It does feel like Christmas, it absolutely does.

Well done to both teams, that's all from us on Top Class.

Merry Christmas!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE