Victoria Coren reveals bizarre criticism she received over Only Connect

Victoria Coren has revealed the bizarre criticism she received about her hosting duties on the BBC game show, Only Connect. The writer has hosted the quiz show since its inception in 2008. It sees a tournament-type format in which two teams of three compete by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues. While the show has remained a success after building a loyal fanbase on BBC Four, it moved to BBC Two and attracted nearly three million viewers at its peak.

Key elements of the show that fans enjoy include its compelling nature and its difficult questions, which many play along with. Despite this, Victoria revealed that she has been on the receiving end of mixed reactions from viewers, with one bizarre interaction proving unforgettable. In a past interview, the 53-year-old reflected: "I've never forgotten a letter from a few years ago. We get all sorts of feedback - be it on a translation, or a clarification of parliamentary procedure."

The presenter added to Radio Times: "This chap asked, 'Why is it acceptable for Victoria Coren Mitchell to comment on a man's bottom?' I'm not even sure I had."

This comes after Victoria admitted that she finds it "surprising" that the game show, which is currently in its 21st series, has lasted this long.

Speaking on its success, she explained to The Guardian: "It's hard for me to talk in straightforwardly positive terms about anything I'm involved in. I struggle with compliments. I want to say: 'God knows! With its clumsy host, weird vibe and impossible questions, I don't know why anyone would watch!'"

Despite this, Victoria added: "But I am proud of the brilliant people who work on it, by which I don't mean myself, and I think there's a lesson in its surprising popularity. Only Connect isn't obvious or mainstream; its spirit is Welsh and clever and BBC Four."

Victoria went on to say that Only Connect is "a bit strange" and does its own thing, never trying to be popular, which she felt viewers responded to.

Even away from presenting game shows, the BBC star has previously shared that she enjoys watching quiz shows.

She told Radio Times: "I love Countdown so much, I can't let myself watch it. I get obsessed and start making anagrams out of car number plates."

Victoria is the wife of iconic British comedian David Mitchell, with whom she has been married since 2012. They tied the knot in a charming and intimate ceremony at St Peter's Church in Belsize Park, London.

The couple shares two daughters, Barbara, 10 and June, two, whom they prefer to keep away from the spotlight.