Jay’s Virtual Pub Quiz was born when a guy called Jay thought he’d host his usual pub quiz on Facebook for the community connected to his local pub during lockdown. The first event from his bedroom went viral welcoming 300k players globally via Facebook and YouTube and since then, Jay has raised over half a million pounds for charities close to his heart.
Jay’s virtual quizzes developed from once weekly to multiple events covering general knowledge through to specialist subjects and kids rounds. NHS key workers made appearances to ask the questions, followed by A list celebrities such as Jonathon Ross and Stephen Fry, who later quoted Jay as ‘The quizmaster’s quizmaster’.
Jay was soon invited onto Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show to run a mini virtual quiz every Thursday and continues to baffle the presenter team with unusual trivia as they comically battle for first place.
What is special about this story is that today, Jay announced the launch of his book Jay’s Virtual Pub Quiz book whilst sharing his story about being homeless for a two year period. Following a relationship break up, Jay’s mental health suffered and although he had some offers from friends to temporarily borrow their sofa, he eventually chose to make his base on The Embankment in London, until a representative from The Connection at St Martin’s dropped a card whilst he was sleeping one day to encourage him to accept their support.
The rest is history and whilst Jay has found fame from warming the hearts of thousands of individuals and families worldwide (and giving back to The Connection at St Martins through fundraising), he remains a laid back ‘regular guy’ who is continuing to enjoy hosting virtual pub quizzes.
Jay’s Virtual Pub Quiz book is now available to buy on Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmiths.
You can also attend his free virtual pub quizzes on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Nice work Jay, couldn’t have happened to a nice guy.
