ALARM bells will ring for devotees of the classic TV quiz University Challenge at Richard Lochhead MSP's hopeful boast that he has a keen interest in history and pop music.

Yes, host Jeremy Paxman occasionally throws a bone to contestants with a question about Miley Cyrus or Harry Potter.

But, for the most part, the quiz demands rather more detailed knowledge of topics such as organic chemistry, astrophysics, ancient Greek and modern architecture.

Those who rely on the street smarts of the campus can end up like Exeter University's 2009 quarter-finalists who scored the lowest total for 38 years.

Mr Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, is to appear in a special Christmas edition of the panel game for charity.

Although it has been recorded, the outcome as ever remains a secret. The politician, who joins a team of well-known graduates from Stirling University, may have prospered. Viewers will see on December 27.

But if it's gone very badly, Mr Lochhead should deal with it in the traditional way - avoid the union (or Holyrood) bar, turn off the TV and sit in his digs listening to - er - pop music, with the volume turned up to 11.