I really cannot understand why anyone who hasn't got a genuine interest in science would be turned on to it by Brian Cox. His dumbed down presentation style with open mouth and childish gaze at starry skies must have some appeal I suppose. I found the stargazing programme infantile in a lot of its style and I suppose this appeals to the inflated grade mentality of today. The less said about O'Briain the better, although a physicist himself he often reduces the content to an opportunity for silly laughs and self aggrandisement.

This dumbing down extends to the Royal Society Christmas lectures which used to be a must watch but has been reduced to a series of pranks, it would not be out of place on CeeBebies. All this is fine if you are trying to appeal to an audience of children but it is insulting to adults, or at least patronising.

If potential undergraduates want to be inspired by science Brian Cox is a poor role model.