Contestants on the long-running BBC quiz show University Challenge have criticised the BBC after the broadcaster digitally edited out badges showing the pride flag .

While filming the episode earlier this year, students from the University of Leicester wore pins bearing the LGBTQ+ pride flag and the bisexual pride flag, as well a rainbow feather, another a symbol tied to the LGBTQ+ community .

In the final broadcast version of the episode – which aired in September following two delays – the pins had been digitally censored.

Two of the students, Samuel Carlier and Emmeline Hague-Wright, condemned the BBC’s censorship in an interview with the Leicester Gazette .

The team from the University of Leicester on 'University Challenge' (BBC)

Describing the broadcaster’s decision as “weird” and “absurd”, Carlier told the outlet: “If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that?…