University Challenge went back to the land of the 1970s and it was far out (Pictures: BBC)

University Challenge viewers felt as though they’d been transported back to the 1970s thanks to the sartorial and style efforts of a team from Edinburgh University.

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Clever students Dale, Smith, Boyle and Goddard were a visual mash-up of the Bee Gees, dodgy Star Wars extras and the Brady Bunch during their brain-off with The Open University.

Basically they looked like hippy poet revolutionaries and underground comic writers who oppose the Vietnam War, rather than the usual cash-strapped post-millennials who like to upload pictures of their Starbucks lattes to Instagram.

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Viewers had to check their calendars to make sure they hadn’t stumbled into the decade of flares and free love.


Is #UniversityChallenge a repeat from 1972 tonight? — Dominic (@yoswansrock) November 7, 2016

University of Edinburgh look as though they're about to drop the sickest Jazz Album of the Century #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/QycTodFUFn — Matt Bevan (@UltraBevo) November 7, 2016



Individual stand-outs were Brightonian Boyle and York-based Dale, whose looks were terrifyingly (and amazingly) retro.

Barry Gibb showcasing his impressive academic interests after his success with the BeeGees. #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/HAIGpjLMWc — (((Sam Seitler))) (@sdseitler) November 7, 2016

Dale : as cunning as a man who has broken into the Blake's 7 wardrobe vault #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/ext0lvzpPV — Paul Tonner (@HeavyVoodoo) November 7, 2016

You see, *that* is the face of a scheming Jon Favreau, masquerading as an Edinburgh student #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/l9rKKgcE8Y — Greg Tyler (@gregtyler) November 7, 2016

Couple of seventies super villains on Edinburgh's team tonight #universitychallenge — Steve Green (@Shadow_Chaser) November 7, 2016

Of course, the tweet comments about the team soon descended into general mockery.

Look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around my eyes, look into my eyes, you're under#UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/kxdXe9qYh4 — CTS (@C_T_S) November 7, 2016

Been trying to put much finger on Dale's fashion sense, now I've got it… #UniversityChallenge @AccidentalP pic.twitter.com/pPqPd3Mpnr — Sir Peter Mannion MP (@PeterMannionMP) November 7, 2016

They may belong to a better time, but team Edinburgh will never be as stylish or memorable as Cambridge superhero Loveday.

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