Two scientists from Oxfordshire have survived a brain-based version of TV’s “bush tucker trial” to win a national popularity contest.

Robin Stafford Allen and Jack Snape both work at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and were put under pressure from children at more than 100 schools around the UK.

The duo were taking part in the I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here and I’m an Engineer, Get Me Out of Here competitions, which are loosely based on the popular ITV series I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

They survived two weeks of questioning via an online chatroom and daily eviction votes by the school pupils, who voted for their favourite based on their answers.

The scientist with the fewest votes is evicted until only one is left to be crowned the winner in each zone.

The pair from Culham were competing in the contest’s Energy Zone.

Mr Snape, a PhD student, said: “I had an excellent time.

“There was a great mix of questions, from the deeply philosophical to the downright daft.

“Hopefully Robin and I have excited some future scientists and engineers.”

Culham Centre for Fusion Energy is attempting to turn nuclear fusion energy into a large-scale commercial energy resource.

Fusion energy is created when light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones and a large amount of energy is released.

Both scientists won £500 to donate towards science and engineering communications activities of their choice.

Mr Stafford Allen, a mechanical engineer, said: “The competition has been great fun. I spent many hours, particularly in the evenings, answering questions from the students. I had 53 one night.

“Some are predictable and then once in a while along comes a corker of a question, such as ‘Would you have liked to be an engineer in the time of the Romans?’.

“There was a heartening and very mature attitude in some 12- and 13-year-olds, with questions showing concern for the environment and appreciating the advantages of fusion energy in the future.”