COLCHESTER’S deputy mayor’s obsession with Monty Python and his partner’s lateness have been revealed after they went head-to-head on a national radio quiz.

Greenstead councillor and future mayor Tim Young took on his deputy mayoress Nicky Goodchild during BBC Radio 2 presenter Michael Ball’s On The Ball quiz.

The amiable radio host said he had a good feeling about Tim’s chances, hailing Colchester as having great taste due to his fan club’s founders living in the town.

Michael also expressed his interest in the mayoralty, asking Tim to explain what his role will entail when he succeeds Robert Davidson as mayor in May.

Locking horns in the quiz, Tim and Nicky competed to condemn each other to a forfeit they had both conjured up in a plea to end each other’s annoying traits.

Gazette: Host - Michael BallHost - Michael Ball

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Tim said he wanted to see Nicky run on time for everything after becoming fed-up of her constant lateness.

He explained: “This will be a real challenge for Nicky, she’s got to be ready and not keep me waiting for the whole of the mayoral year.

“She has to take a quick trip to the loo, then get a water bottle ready, pop upstairs for something…”

Nicky, however, challenged Tim to zip his mouth when it came to quoting Monty Python, something she explained was a constant strain on her sanity.

“It’s like a disease,” she said.

“I can’t go a whole day without something coming out of his mouth and I’m thinking ‘What’s that? Oh OK, it’s a Monty Python quote’.”

Gazette: Comedy act - former Monty Python stars Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin pictured in 1999Comedy act - former Monty Python stars Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin pictured in 1999

But it was the future mayor who was victorious in the quiz and the challenge, scoring 19 points to Nicky’s 15, after showing his knowledge of One Direction, Ricky Gervais’ After Life and Australian towns and cities.

Despite a valiant effort, Nicky cracked under the pressure when asked to reel off as many names of artists as she could think of...much to Tim’s delight.

Reacting to the news, he said it was “marvellous” and he was delighted, before giving a shout out his family, friends acquaintances and residents of Greenstead.