Rotherham TV quizzer may have killed a man

Eggheads panellist CJ de Mooi, who studied English and Performing Arts at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology when he was a teenager known as Joseph Connagh, said he punched a man who was trying to attack him and threw him into a canal.

Police were this week said to be investigating the 1988 incident, which is recounted in CJ’s new book My Journey from the Streets to the Screen.

In the book, the Barnsley-born professional quiz expert tells of growing up in a violent, racist and homophobic household in Rotherham before moving to London aged 17 and ending up homeless.

The alleged killing happened when he was living rough on the streets of Amsterdam.

Aged 19, he was spotted by a modelling scout, which led to a five-year career as a model before he was picked for Eggheads.

The 45-year-old said he had not been in touch with his family since running away 30 years ago.