HE’S the Hampshire student who was raised by University Challenge-loving parents.

Now, Ringwood’s Matt Hazell has won the famously high-brow television quiz.

He was part of Cambridge’s St John’s College side who beat Oxford’s Merton College 145-100 in the final on Monday.

Matt, who was studying veterinary medicine at the time of filming, said: “My parents have always been huge University Challenge fans.

“They have been hosting watch parties at their house, so a fair few family friends have been roped in to watching as well.”

Matt’s team, consisting of captain James Devine-Stoneman, Rosie McKeown, and John-Clark Levin, had to come from behind to beat Merton in a tense final.

The Oxford college took an early lead, but St John’s eventually staged a comeback, winning by 45 points – a close margin for the BBC Two quiz, hosted by tough-talking journalist Jeremy Paxman.

Matt said: “Merton are an extremely strong team so I think everyone was a bit cautious.

“They are a very well balanced team, are lighting quick on the buzzer, and they had a better record than us going into the final.”

It is the first time since the show aired in 1962 that St John’s has won the popular quiz show.

Until now the furthest teams from the college had reached was the semi-final in the controversial 2008-09 competition.

The team took the title without ever having lost a round, accumulating 1300 points.

The Master of St John’s College, Professor Chris Dobson said: “I am absolutely thrilled that St John’s has been victorious in this year’s University Challenge, and I could not be more proud of the team who have shown not just exceptional brilliance but also tremendous character.”

Throughout the series, the team impressed both opponents and audience members with their fast responses and knowledge of obscure topics.

In their semi-final against Edinburgh University they even gained praise from Jeremy Paxman who ended the show by complimenting them.