Quiz of the Week | 4 October 2026

1. The state pension “triple lock” was back in the news in September 2026. It traditionally guarantees an increase by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth or what fixed percentage?

2. Dame Esther Rantzen sadly died aged 86 in October 2026. Which children’s counselling charity did she found in 1986?

3. Richard E Grant caused amusement during the opening episode of The Celebrity Traitors in October 2026 after mistakenly appearing to admit that he was a Traitor. In which 1987 cult film did Grant play the title character alongside Paul McGann?

4. The UK’s diesel price made headlines again in October 2026. Diesel engines take their name from which German inventor?

5. The Labour Party held its 2026 annual conference in which UK city?

6. Which rugby league club won its first Super League title in October 2026 after defeating Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final?

7. New UK airline rules announced in October 2026 will prevent parents being charged extra to sit beside children under what age?

8. Manchester City were found guilty of more than 100 financial-rule breaches in October 2026. Before moving to the City of Manchester Stadium in 2003, at which ground had Manchester City played their home matches since 1923?

9. Taylor Swift became the most decorated artist in MTV Video Music Awards history in 2026, overtaking which singer?

10. Previously unheard songs recorded during sessions for Songs in the Key of Life were revealed in 2026, 50 years after the album’s release. Which artist recorded the album?

11. Which veteran British singer announced in 2026 that his 2027 tour would be his last?

12. Europe’s largest annual Elvis festival took place in September 2026 in which Welsh seaside town?

13. English chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan made history in October 2026 by becoming the youngest player to achieve which title?

14. Despite its name, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was held in which country?

15. A 3.5-metre shark nicknamed Bukangi became an unlikely tourist attraction in October 2026 after becoming trapped in a canal in which South Korean city?

16. A 20-year-old bear named Backpack was crowned the 2026 winner of which annual Alaskan wildlife competition?

17. A new museum dedicated to The Sound of Music opened in September 2026 in which Austrian city?

18. Which former Top Gear presenter suggested in 2026 that British broadcasters could join forces to create a streaming service nicknamed “Britflix”?

19. Northern Ireland recorded an impressive 3–0 Nations League victory over Ukraine in October 2026. In which country was the match actually played?

20. Wales ended a poor run of results by beating which Scandinavian country 2–1 in the Nations League in October 2026?

21. RAF Fairford was at the centre of a major security investigation in September 2026. In which English county is RAF Fairford located?

22. A new UK tax on vaping products came into force on 1 October 2026. How much duty is charged on each 10ml of vaping liquid?

23. Japan announced a major increase in its permanent-residency application fee for foreign nationals in 2026. To how many yen was the fee increased?

24. New rules affecting larger Scottish supermarkets came into force on 1 October 2026, restricting prominent promotions of foods high in fat, sugar and what?

25. Which actor won Best Host at the 2026 British Podcast Awards?

26. The first batch of tickets for Glastonbury 2027 sold out in 2026. The festival takes place at Worthy Farm in which English county?

27. Which camera manufacturer faced controversy in 2026 over an entry in one of its photography competitions amid questions about the use of artificial intelligence?

28. Handwritten lyrics by Freddie Mercury sold at auction for £277,000 in October 2026. Mercury was the lead singer of which band?

29. Plans were unveiled in 2026 for a £16.5 billion data centre on the site of a former nuclear power station in which UK nation?

30. SpaceX’s Starship made an explosive landing in the Pacific after ending a mission early in October 2026. Which billionaire founded SpaceX?

31. The Royal Navy’s newest submarine, HMS Agamemnon, arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde on 2 October 2026. Agamemnon belongs to which class of Royal Navy attack submarines?

32. Singer Olivia Dean faced accusations in October 2026 that one of her songs copied which Bill Withers classic?

33. Britain experienced its worst recorded outbreak of bluetongue in 2026. The disease primarily affects which type of farm animal: poultry, ruminants or pigs?

34. Five British soldiers killed during the Second World War were formally identified in 2026. They died during the 1944 Battle of Normandy, which began with what famous Allied operation on 6 June?

35. The 2026 series of The Celebrity Traitors began this week. Which Scottish castle is used as the setting for the programme?

36. The 2026 Labour Party conference brought renewed discussion about the state pension triple lock. In which year was the triple lock originally introduced?

37. Northern Ireland’s 3–0 victory over Ukraine in October 2026 was achieved under which manager?

38. HMS Agamemnon arrived at its new home on the River Clyde exactly 125 years after the launch of Britain’s first Royal Navy submarine. What was that pioneering submarine called?

39. New Scottish supermarket rules introduced in October 2026 restrict the prominent promotion of HFSS foods. What do the initials HFSS stand for?

40. Freddie Mercury’s handwritten lyrics sold for £277,000 in October 2026 were associated with his debut solo album. What was that album called?