Specials

1. Champion of Champions: Crossworders v Rugby Boys

December 21, 2009 · 29m

The Crossworders, champions of series one, return to challenge the kings of series two, the Rugby Boys.

2. Children in Need Special: Wheel Men v Larks

November 15, 2010 · 29m

The cunning wiles of the Wheel Men (Rev Richard Coles, Adam Hart-Davis, and Grub Smith) take on the combined brains of the Larks (Michael Bywater, Sir Andrew Motion, and Stuart Maconie).

3. Champion of Champions: Gamblers v Epicureans

January 10, 2011 · 29m

The Gamblers, the winners of series three, square up to the Epicureans, the winners of series four.

4. University Challenge Special: Crossworders v University Challengers

January 17, 2011 · 29m

Undefeated champions of champions, the Crossworders, risk their reputation by confronting the awesome brainpower of the University Challengers, captained by the illustrious Alex Guttenplan.

5. Comic Relief Special: Treesome v Larks

March 14, 2011 · 29m

The Treesome (Brian Sewell, Adam Hart-Davis, and Grub Smith) lock intellectual brains with the Larks (Michael Bywater, Sir Andrew Motion, and Stuart Maconie).

6. Children in Need Special: Great Believers v Free Speakers

November 14, 2011 · 29m

The cunning wiles of the Great Believers (Nick Hornby, Dame Joan Bakewell, and John Lloyd) take on the combined brains of the Free Speakers (Ian Hislop, Simon Singh, and John Sessions).

7. Wall Night 1 (1)

December 12, 2011 · 29m

Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.

8. Wall Night 1 (2)

December 12, 2011 · 29m

The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.

9. Champion of Champions: Crossworders v Epicureans

January 2, 2012 · 29m

Series 3 & 4 champions the Epicureans take on Series 1 & 2 champions the Crossworders.

10. Mastermind Special: Crossworders v Masterminders

January 9, 2012 · 29m

A trio of Mastermind series winners take on Only Connect champions the Crossworders.

11. Wall Night 2 (1)

January 30, 2012 · 29m

Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.

12. Wall Night 2 (2)

January 30, 2012 · 29m

The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament featuring seasoned Only Connect teams, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.

13. Sport Relief Special: Cutters v Backhanders

March 19, 2012 · 29m

The Cutters (Nick Hornby, Mark Gatiss, and Samira Ahmed) take on the combined wits of the Backhanders (Ian Hislop, Stephen Mangan, and Allison Pearson).

14. Children in Need Special: Goldfingers v Fowls

November 12, 2012 · 29m

The cunning wiles of the Goldfingers (Charlie Higson, Daisy Goodwin, and Matthew Parris) take on the combined brains of the Fowls (Rosie Boycott, Richard Osman, and Clarke Carlisle).

15. Champion of Champions: Analysts v Scribes

January 7, 2013 · 29m

Series 5 champions the Analysts take on Series 6 champions the Scribes in a bid to be named Only Connect Champion of Champions.

16. Special: Eggheads v Davids

January 14, 2013 · 29m

Three Eggheads take on three champion captains all called David.

17. Comic Relief Special 2013: Neuromantics v Muppets

March 11, 2013 · 29m

The Neuromantics (Charlie Higson, Rufus Hound, and Baroness Susan Greenfield) take on the combined wits of the Muppets (David Mitchell, Rosie Boycott, and Bill Turnbull).

18. Children in Need Special: Scrabblers v The Balding Team

November 11, 2013 · 29m

The Balding Team (Clare Balding, Clive Anderson, and Sir Simon Jenkins) take on the Scrabblers (Alice Arnold, Konnie Huq, and John Finnemore).

19. Sport Relief Special: Scribblers v Terriers

March 17, 2014 · 29m

The Scribblers (Alice Arnold, Charlie Brooker, and Ed Smith) take on the Terriers (Clare Balding, Val McDermid, and Joshua Levine).

20. Children in Need Special: Noggins v Curiosities

November 10, 2014 · 29m

The Noggins (Robert Peston, Patrick Marber, and Sophie Grigson), face the Curiosities (Kevin Eldon, Professor Steve Jones, and Kate Mosse).

21. Comic Relief Special: Waterbabies v Tillers

March 9, 2015 · 29m

The Waterbabies (Reeta Chakrabarti, Tom Holland, and captain Patrick Marber) compete against the Tillers (Katie Derham, Steve Pemberton, and their captain, Professor Steve Jones).

22. Children in Need Special: Music Monkeys v Chess Pieces

November 9, 2015 · 29m

The Music Monkeys, featuring captain David Baddiel with Clemency Burton-Hill and Philip Hensher, square up to the Chess Pieces, a team lead by Hugh Dennis and featuring Bonnie Greer and AN Wilson.

23. Sport Relief Special: Royal III v BBC

March 14, 2016 · 29m

The Royal III - David Baddiel, Dr John Cooper Clarke, and Philippa Gregory - square up to the BBC - Hugh Dennis, Julian Lloyd Webber, and Lynne Truss.

24. Champion of Champions: Europhiles v String Section

December 18, 2018 · 30m

Series 9 champions the Europhiles take on Series 11 winners the String Section.

25. Sport Special: Footballers v Korfballers

December 19, 2018 · 30m

The Footballers and Korfballers return for a very special one-off sports special.

26. Family Special: Lasletts v Meeples

December 20, 2018 · 30m

The Lasletts and Meeples return for a special family edition.

27. Quiz Special: QI Elves v Inquisitors

December 25, 2018 · 30m

The QI Elves and Inquisitors compete in a special edition of the quiz.

28. Travel Special: Globetrotters v Eurovisionaries

December 30, 2019 · 30m

Two former teams with a connection to travel return.

29. Happy Hour Special: Alesmen v Cosmopolitans

January 1, 2020 · 30m

Two former teams with a connection to drinks return for a happy hour special.

30. Education: Clareites v Beaks

January 2, 2020 · 30m

Two former teams with a connection to education return for a special.

31. Champion of Champions: Verbivores v Escapologists

January 3, 2020 · 30m

Series 12 champions the Verbivores take on series 13 champions the Escapologists.

32. Christmas Special: Edwards Family v Wrights

December 29, 2020 · 30m

Two favourite family teams from previous series return for a family-themed Christmas special.

33. North and South Special: Scunthorpe Scholars v Oxonians

December 30, 2020 · 30m

Two favourite teams from previous series – one from the north and one from the south - return for a very special episode with a geographical flavour.

34. Doctors Special: Medics v Gallifreyans

December 31, 2020 · 30m

Six favourite contestants from previous series return for a one-off special themed around doctors.

35. Music Special: Festival Fans v Choristers

January 1, 2021 · 30m

Two favourite teams from previous series return for a very special musical episode.

36. Christmas Special: Turophiles v Corkscrews

December 27, 2021 · 30m

Two favourite teams from previous series return for an evening of cheese, wine, and Christmas quizzing.

37. The Birds and the Bees Special: Birdwatchers v Beekeepers

December 28, 2021 · 30m

Two teams from previous series – the Birdwatchers and the Beekeepers - return for a special episode.

38. Cold Special: Nordiphiles v Apres Skiers

December 29, 2021 · 30m

The Nordiphiles and Apres Skiers return for a very special and chilly episode.

39. Champion of Champions: 007s v Puzzle Hunters

December 30, 2021 · 30m

Series 15's champions, the 007s, take on Series 16's champions, the Puzzle Hunters.

40. Christmas Special: Polyhymnians v Channel Islanders

December 23, 2022

It's Christmas (special) time! Mistletoe and wine, boughs of holly, jolly teams from yesteryear oozing Christmas spirit and eager to tuck into some delicious questions.

41. Mystery Special: Endeavours v Whodunnits

December 26, 2022

It’s a mystery-themed special, and two teams emerge from the mists of time to attempt to solve a series of mysterious puzzles.

42. Love Special: Part-Time Poets v Romantics

December 27, 2022

In this love-themed special, two teams from previous series have been lured out of retirement by the prospect of some lovely questions.

43. Champion of Champions: Dicers v Data Wizards

December 28, 2022

Two all-conquering teams from previous series battle for the title of champion of champions – the Dicers (Series 14) and the Data Wizards (Series 17).

44. Christmas Special: Relatives v Muppets

December 19, 2023 · 28m

A special festive edition, where two family teams return for a yuletide battle of wits.

45. Fashion Special: Dandies v Peacocks

December 20, 2023 · 28m

Two fashionable teams from yesteryear return to strut their stuff.

46. Boxing Special: Wrestlers v Arrowheads

December 26, 2023 · 29m

There’s been a mix-up, but never mind: two ‘sporting’ teams from previous series have returned to fight it out.

47. Politics Special: Politicians v Activists

December 28, 2023 · 28m

Previous contestants return – professional politicians, including a real, live Conservative MP (correct at time of recording), face a team of activists.

48. Royal Special: Vikings v Antiquarians

December 23, 2024 · 29m

Two teams from previous series return for a battle royal, and the questions are as tricky as ever.

49. Christmas Special: Mothers Ruined v Godyn Family

December 24, 2024 · 29m

It’s Christmas, and two family teams return for Only Connect’s most Christmassy Christmas special yet.

50. Books Special: Orwellians v Jillies

December 26, 2024 · 29m

Two teams from previous series, both taking their names from giants of literature, face fiendish, bookish questions.

51. BBC Special: Bankers v Science Writers

December 27, 2024 · 29m

Teams from the first series return to celebrate 60 years of BBC Two.

52. Transatlantic Special: Cinephiles v Harlequins

December 30, 2024 · 29m

Anything and everything relating to the ‘special relationship’ is on the cards, as two British quizzers and their US captain take on a British captain and his two US teammates.

53. Single Special: Brews v Irregulars

December 31, 2024 · 29m

It’s the ‘single special’, celebrating singles, solos, and everything that comes in groups of one.

54. Sounds Special: Record Collectors v Jukeboxers

January 1, 2025 · 30m

Two teams from previous series return, but there’s a twist to the format – nearly all the questions are audio only.

55. Champion of Champions: Strigiformes v Thrifters

January 2, 2025 · 29m

It’s everyone’s dream to be a champion, and it’s every champion’s dream to beat another champion. Now is their chance.

56. The Only Connect Pub Quiz: Hopsters v Taverners

December 23, 2025 · 29m

Charge your glasses, it’s the Only Connect Pub Quiz! The format has been tweaked, and the budget has been blown on several packs of pork scratchings.

57. Christmas Special: Whitcombes v Gardners

December 24, 2025 · 29m

It’s Christmas, and two families from series gone by have battled traffic jams and rail replacement bus services to come together and play an exasperating game.

58. Law Special: Cartophiles v Harmonics

December 30, 2025 · 29m

The law is under the spotlight in this episode. As indeed is a judge’s wig, which turns out to be surprisingly itchy.

59. Third-Place Play-Off Play-Off Special: Poptimists v Ramblers

December 31, 2025 · 29m

Ever wondered who would triumph if the winners of the third-place play-off from one series took on the winners of the play-off from another?