Episodes
- 1
1. Champion of Champions: Crossworders v Rugby Boys
21 Dec 2009 · 29 min
The Crossworders, champions of series one, return to challenge the kings of series two, the Rugby Boys.
- 2
2. Children in Need Special: Wheel Men v Larks
15 Nov 2010 · 29 min
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
3. Champion of Champions: Gamblers v Epicureans
10 Jan 2011 · 29 min
The Gamblers, the winners of series three, square up to the Epicureans, the winners of series four.
- 4
4. University Challenge Special: Crossworders v University Challengers
17 Jan 2011 · 29 min
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
5. Comic Relief Special: Treesome v Larks
14 Mar 2011 · 29 min
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
6. Children in Need Special: Great Believers v Free Speakers
14 Nov 2011 · 29 min
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
7. Wall Night 1 (1)
12 Dec 2011 · 29 min
Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.
- 8
8. Wall Night 1 (2)
12 Dec 2011 · 29 min
The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.
- 9
9. Champion of Champions: Crossworders v Epicureans
2 Jan 2012 · 29 min
Series 3 & 4 champions the Epicureans take on Series 1 & 2 champions the Crossworders.
- 10
10. Mastermind Special: Crossworders v Masterminders
9 Jan 2012 · 29 min
A trio of Mastermind series winners take on Only Connect champions the Crossworders.
- 11
11. Wall Night 2 (1)
30 Jan 2012 · 29 min
Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.
- 12
12. Wall Night 2 (2)
30 Jan 2012 · 29 min
The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament featuring seasoned Only Connect teams, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.
- 13
13. Sport Relief Special: Cutters v Backhanders
19 Mar 2012 · 29 min
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
14. Children in Need Special: Goldfingers v Fowls
12 Nov 2012 · 29 min
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
15. Champion of Champions: Analysts v Scribes
7 Jan 2013 · 29 min
Series 5 champions the Analysts take on Series 6 champions the Scribes in a bid to be named Only Connect Champion of Champions.
- 16
16. Special: Eggheads v Davids
14 Jan 2013 · 29 min
Three Eggheads take on three champion captains all called David.
- 17
17. Comic Relief Special 2013: Neuromantics v Muppets
11 Mar 2013 · 29 min
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
18. Children in Need Special: Scrabblers v The Balding Team
11 Nov 2013 · 29 min
The Balding Team (Clare Balding, Clive Anderson, and Sir Simon Jenkins) take on the Scrabblers (Alice Arnold, Konnie Huq, and John Finnemore).
- 19
19. Sport Relief Special: Scribblers v Terriers
17 Mar 2014 · 29 min
The Scribblers (Alice Arnold, Charlie Brooker, and Ed Smith) take on the Terriers (Clare Balding, Val McDermid, and Joshua Levine).
- 20
20. Children in Need Special: Noggins v Curiosities
10 Nov 2014 · 29 min
The Noggins (Robert Peston, Patrick Marber, and Sophie Grigson), face the Curiosities (Kevin Eldon, Professor Steve Jones, and Kate Mosse).
- 21
21. Comic Relief Special: Waterbabies v Tillers
9 Mar 2015 · 29 min
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
22. Children in Need Special: Music Monkeys v Chess Pieces
9 Nov 2015 · 29 min
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
23. Sport Relief Special: Royal III v BBC
14 Mar 2016 · 29 min
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
24. Champion of Champions: Europhiles v String Section
18 Dec 2018 · 30 min
Series 9 champions the Europhiles take on Series 11 winners the String Section.
- 25
25. Sport Special: Footballers v Korfballers
19 Dec 2018 · 30 min
The Footballers and Korfballers return for a very special one-off sports special.
- 26
26. Family Special: Lasletts v Meeples
20 Dec 2018 · 30 min
The Lasletts and Meeples return for a special family edition.
- 27
27. Quiz Special: QI Elves v Inquisitors
25 Dec 2018 · 30 min
The QI Elves and Inquisitors compete in a special edition of the quiz.
- 28
28. Travel Special: Globetrotters v Eurovisionaries
30 Dec 2019 · 30 min
Two former teams with a connection to travel return.
- 29
29. Happy Hour Special: Alesmen v Cosmopolitans
1 Jan 2020 · 30 min
Two former teams with a connection to drinks return for a happy hour special.
- 30
30. Education: Clareites v Beaks
2 Jan 2020 · 30 min
Two former teams with a connection to education return for a special.
- 31
31. Champion of Champions: Verbivores v Escapologists
3 Jan 2020 · 30 min
Series 12 champions the Verbivores take on series 13 champions the Escapologists.
- 32
32. Christmas Special: Edwards Family v Wrights
29 Dec 2020 · 30 min
Two favourite family teams from previous series return for a family-themed Christmas special.
- 33
33. North and South Special: Scunthorpe Scholars v Oxonians
30 Dec 2020 · 30 min
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
34. Doctors Special: Medics v Gallifreyans
31 Dec 2020 · 30 min
Six favourite contestants from previous series return for a one-off special themed around doctors.
- 35
35. Music Special: Festival Fans v Choristers
1 Jan 2021 · 30 min
Two favourite teams from previous series return for a very special musical episode.
36. Christmas Special: Turophiles v Corkscrews
27 Dec 2021 · 30 min
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
28 Dec 2021 · 30 min
Two teams from previous series – the Birdwatchers and the Beekeepers - return for a special episode.
38. Cold Special: Nordiphiles v Apres Skiers
29 Dec 2021 · 30 min
The Nordiphiles and Apres Skiers return for a very special and chilly episode.
39. Champion of Champions: 007s v Puzzle Hunters
30 Dec 2021 · 30 min
Series 15's champions, the 007s, take on Series 16's champions, the Puzzle Hunters.
40. Christmas Special: Polyhymnians v Channel Islanders
23 Dec 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
26 Dec 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
27 Dec 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
28 Dec 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
19 Dec 2023 · 28 min
A special festive edition, where two family teams return for a yuletide battle of wits.
45. Fashion Special: Dandies v Peacocks
20 Dec 2023 · 28 min · 6.0/10
Two fashionable teams from yesteryear return to strut their stuff.
46. Boxing Special: Wrestlers v Arrowheads
26 Dec 2023 · 29 min · 10.0/10
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
28 Dec 2023 · 28 min
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
23 Dec 2024 · 29 min
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
24 Dec 2024 · 29 min
It’s Christmas, and two family teams return for Only Connect’s most Christmassy Christmas special yet.
50. Books Special: Orwellians v Jillies
26 Dec 2024 · 29 min
Two teams from previous series, both taking their names from giants of literature, face fiendish, bookish questions.
51. BBC Special: Bankers v Science Writers
27 Dec 2024 · 29 min · 6.0/10
Teams from the first series return to celebrate 60 years of BBC Two.
52. Transatlantic Special: Cinephiles v Harlequins
30 Dec 2024 · 29 min · 7.0/10
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
31 Dec 2024 · 29 min · 6.0/10
It’s the ‘single special’, celebrating singles, solos, and everything that comes in groups of one.
54. Sounds Special: Record Collectors v Jukeboxers
1 Jan 2025 · 30 min · 5.0/10
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
2 Jan 2025 · 29 min
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
23 Dec 2025 · 29 min
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
24 Dec 2025 · 29 min
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
30 Dec 2025 · 29 min
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
31 Dec 2025 · 29 min
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?
Only Connect Specials: quick answers
How many episodes are in Only Connect Specials?
Specials of Only Connect has 59 episodes, about 27 hours in total.
When did Only Connect Specials come out?
Specials premiered on 21 Dec 2009.