Only Connect Specials - Episode Guide

The Crossworders, champions of series one, return to challenge the kings of series two, the Rugby Boys, drawing together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

A special Children in Need episode of the quiz show presented by Victoria Coren in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

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), trying to work out what connects the likes of Fawlty Towers to St Joseph's Wort, Pesto and the Great Mouse Detective.

Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. The Gamblers, the winners of series three, square up to the Epicureans, the winners of series four, connecting such subjects as Nero, Mary Portas, Alan Cumming and Elton John.

Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Undefeated champions of champions, the Crossworders, risk their reputation by confronting the awesome brainpower of the University Challengers, captained by the illustrious Alex Guttenplan.

It isn't going to be an easy ride for either team, as they try to connect Fortis shareholders with Muntadar al-Zaidi, sabateurs and Nikita Kruschchev.

Victoria Coren hosts a special edition of the show as six celebrity brains try to deduce the hidden connections between things which, on the face of it, seem not to be connected at all.

The Treesome (Brian Sewell, Adam Hart-Davis and Grub Smith) lock intellectual brains with the Larks (Michael Bywater, Sir Andrew Motion and Stuart Maconie) as they try to work out what connects the Golden Gate Bridge and David Dickinson.

Victoria Coren hosts a very special celebrity edition of the quiz where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far and where patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In this Pudsey Special, two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Children in Need. 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).

So join Victoria if you want to know what connects Erté, Hergé, Jeep and Esso.

Victoria Coren hosts a special edition of the quiz where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far and where patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Series 3 & 4 champions the Epicureans take on Series 1 & 2 champions the Crossworders in a bid to be named Only Connect Champion of Champions. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random, from volleyball to basketball to Toastmasters International to Father's Day.

Victoria Coren hosts a special edition of the quiz where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far and where patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

A trio of Mastermind series winners take on Only Connect champions the Crossworders. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random, from adder to possum to orange to Nottingham.

Victoria Coren hosts a very special celebrity edition of the quiz where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far, and patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Sport Relief, as the Cutters (Nick Hornby, Mark Gatiss and Samira Ahmed) take on the combined wits of the Backhanders (Ian Hislop, Stephen Mangan and Allison Pearson).

So join Victoria if you want to know what connects dead sheep, ginger rodent, semi house-trained polecat and sex-starved boa constrictor.

Victoria Coren hosts a very special celebrity edition of the quiz where knowledge will only take you so far, and patience and lateral thinking are also vital. In this Pudsey Special, two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Children in Need. 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). So join Victoria if you want to know what connects Mark Antony, Henry VIII, Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond and the Black Fingernail.

Series 5 champions the Analysts take on Series 6 champions the Scribes in a bid to be named Only Connect Champion of Champions. So join Victoria Coren if you want to know what connects 10-foot gypsum statue, 'plastic wood' head and toy submarine, orangutan jawbone and human skull, and paper cut-outs of fairies.

Victoria Coren hosts the series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far; patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In a special edition of the show, three Eggheads take on three champion captains, all called David. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren if you want to know what connects Apollo 12, Pan Am Flight 214, Lee Trevino and York Minster.

Victoria Coren hosts a special celebrity edition of the quiz where knowledge will only take you so far, and patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Comic Relief, as 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). So join Victoria if you want to know what connects £100,000, PG Wodehouse, deep reddish-purple and Jack Horner's thumb.

In this Pudsey Special, two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Children in Need, as the Balding Team (Clare Balding, Clive Anderson and Sir Simon Jenkins) take on the Scrabblers (Alice Arnold, Konnie Huq and John Finnemore).

Two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Sport Relief as the Scribblers (Alice Arnold, Charlie Brooker and Ed Smith) take on the Terriers (Clare Balding, Val McDermid and Joshua Levine).

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Series 9 champions the Europhiles take on Series 11 winners the String Section in a very special episode of Only Connect. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell to learn what connects jasmine, car tyres, Kashmir's capital and Olympics.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

The Footballers and Korfballers return for a very special one-off sports special. They'll compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Princess Merida, Alison Williamson, Penthesilea and Katniss Everdeen.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

The Lasletts and Meeples return for a very special one-off family edition of Only Connect. They'll compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects: Holbein, Pliny, Bruegel and Pitt.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

The QI Elves and Inquisitors return for a very special one-off edition of Only Connect. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Kim Jong-il (6), Damon Albarn (2), Benjamin Britten (16) and Ludwig van Beethoven (1).

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In this episode, two former teams with a connection to travel return for a special. They compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Heavy-stone, Baggy-root, Commission-man and Sandwich-table.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In this episode, two former teams with a connection to drinks return for a happy hour special. They compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Fuzzy, Stray Dog, Trooper and Mmmhops.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In this episode, two former teams with a connection to education return for a special. They compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Called strikeout, Ya, There exists and Pilcrow.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In this episode, series 12 champions the Verbivores take on series 13 champions the Escapologists in a bid to be named Only Connect Champion of Champions. They compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Paul the Apostle, Macho Man Randy Savage, Donkey Kong and Terminator T-800.

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect, the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Two favourite family teams from previous series return for a family-themed Christmas special. It's a festive affair with snow on the ground as the Edwards Family square up to the Wrights in a competition to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So raise a glass and join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects a Johannes Vermeer painting, Jenner's cowpox inspiration, Tess Durbeyfield's profession and a gift on the eighth day of Christmas.

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect: the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

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. They'll compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Hong Kong and La Quiaca, Rock of Gibraltar and Mangawha, Jakarta and Bogota [almost] and North Pole and South Pole.

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect: the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Six favourite contestants from previous series return for a special themed around doctors. The battle is on as a team of NHS professionals take on a team of Doctor Who fans in a competition to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Clive Jackson, Robert Howard, Mac Rebennack and Andre Young.

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect, the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Two favourite teams from previous series return for a very special musical episode of Only Connect. A team of Festival Goers take on a three members of the Nuestra Singers. They compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance seem utterly random.

So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects Columbus (Buenos Aires), Phoenix (Venice), The Staircase (Milan) and Big (Moscow).

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect, the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Two favourite teams from previous series return for an evening of cheese, wine and Christmas quizzing. It's a festive affair as the Turophiles take on the Corkscrews in a competition to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So raise a glass and join Victoria if you want to know what connects Ben, Phillip Schofield, The Ivy and Crickets.

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect, the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Two favourite teams from previous series – the Birdwatchers and the Beekeepers - return for a very special episode. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria if you want to know what connects Aia, anks, arthez and uffon.

Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect, the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

Two favourite teams from previous series return for a very special and chilly episode of Only Connect. The Nordiphiles and Apres Skiers compete to draw the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria if you want to know what connects Just-Williams, Tracy-T, Vanilla Van Winkle and O'Shea Cube.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Patience and lateral thinking are also vital.

In this special episode, Series 15's champions, the 007s, take on Series 16's champions, the Puzzle Hunters, in a competition to be named Only Connect Champions of Champions. They compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random.

So join Victoria if you want to know what connects English Tutor, Art Therapist, Driver and Housekeeper.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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. For example, what connects the following: Ange, Sedge, Christmas Eves, and God, frankincense and myrrh.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

It's a mystery-themed special, and two teams emerge from the mists of time to attempt to solve a series of mysterious puzzles. For example, what would come fourth in the following sequence: Secreto Roche, Teenoso Piggott, Golden Fleece Eddery, and…?

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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

For example, what connects the following: Love, Gate, Bern and Babb?

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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).

It all hinges on questions such as: what connects 1941-1979, 1917-2019, 1984-1984 and 2012-2009?

A special festive edition of the quiz hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

Two family teams return for a yuletide battle of wits. One of the teams works out the connection after seeing just two clues: ‘What' and ‘Bong Joon'. But what is that connection?

Another special edition of the quiz hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

Two fashionable teams from yesteryear return to strut their stuff. One team hasn't quizzed together since 2017, but they've still got it: their first answer is a five-pointer, and ‘bravest underwear' was the only clue they needed.

Another special edition of the quiz, hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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

Impressively, it only takes two clues for them to work out what connects ‘boxers' and ‘mayors of High Wycombe'.

A special edition of the quiz, hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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

What connects Michael Foot and Ed Balls? Apart from the obvious. One team gets it straight away.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

Two teams from previous series return for a battle royal, and the questions are as tricky as ever. HENRY IV, RICHARDII, KINGJOHN and HEN RY VI – what's the connection?

(And no, those aren't typos – the layout is significant…)

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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

The questions have the Yuletide flavour, and a team of three specially invited guests dazzle everyone with a spectacular festive finish.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

In a 'books special', two teams from previous series, both taking their names from giants of literature, face fiendish, bookish questions.

For example, what's the connection between the following: Brown symbol, Conan Doyle world, Bryson continent and Milton paradise?

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

Teams from the first series return to celebrate 60 years of BBC Two. Everyone's favourite BBC characters are included: Lord Reith, JR Ewing, the Test Card Girl, Jodie Whittaker, Humphrey Lyttleton, Uncle Bulgaria, Charlotte Green and King Zog of Albania. Twice.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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.

For example: Reuben, Elvis, PB&J… what might come next in the sequence?

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

It's the ‘single special', celebrating singles, solos and everything that comes in groups of one. The questions are suitably singular, for example: 1, Snap!, Absolute Garbage and The Immaculate Collection – what's the connection?

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

Two teams from previous series return, but there's a twist to the format – nearly all the questions are audio only. For example, in the Missing Vowels round, nobody gets to see the letters, only hear them.

Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far – logic and lateral thinking are the vital extra ingredients.

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

Skin lutrinae, adipose strigiformes, diluted birds and flatulent drying cloths – what's the connection?

Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.

Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.

Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.

Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament featuring seasoned Only Connect teams, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.