A host of famous Leeds faces are helping the city celebrate 400 years as Trivial Pursuit Leeds arrives this summer.
The renowned board game is being brought to life as LeedsBID (Business Improvement District) transforms the city centre into a live, interactive version of Hasbro’s popular Trivial Pursuit board game, marking 400 years since Leeds was granted its royal charter.
Central to the city-wide experience are the stories, achievements, and surprising facts that have shaped Leeds over four centuries and helped put it on the map. From the origins of Marks & Spencer to its connection to the first British internet provider, and even the story of carbonated water, Leeds has played a remarkable role in national life. The city is also home to famous names, including Peter O’Toole, Melanie Brown, Marco Pierre White, and Beryl Burton, alongside countless innovators, artists, sporting heroes, and cultural pioneers.
An array of well-known personalities are involved, appearing digitally to look back (and look ahead) at the city’s notable events, historical achievements, and significant developments. Leeds-born presenter and podcaster Alex Zane, historian Ruth Goodman, and commentator Daniel Norcross each take on Entertainment, History, and Sports & Leisure, telling the stories behind the people, places, and moments that define Leeds.
Zane said: “It was a real privilege to return to my home city to tell the story of Roundhay Park’s musical heritage, from Madonna to Robbie Williams and Lewis Capaldi, on what is a momentous 400-year anniversary for Leeds this summer.”
They are joined by a roll-call of national and local faces with a Leeds connection, each appearing virtually to ask a special Question for Today. Among them are actors Bob Cryer, Jeremy Dyson, Angela Griffin, Jim Moir, and Kate O’Toole, broadcaster John Craven, and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.
The sporting line-up brings together Ryder Cup European team captain Luke Donald, rugby league’s Julia Lee, snooker’s Oliver Lines and squash champion James Willstrop. One lucky player is drawn daily, with the chance to win a £500 Hays Travel voucher.
Beyond the daily draw, if players successfully journey around the city centre answering one question per category, then head to Leeds City Museum for their final question with all six wedges, collected, they’ll be in with a chance of winning a weekly bundle of prizes from Everyman Cinema, Funstation, The Met Hotel, Tenpin, Blu Pavilion, Blu Sakura, Holland & Barrett, Trinity Leeds, Uyare by Tharavadu, Leeds Playhouse, and Waterstones.
Coronation Street and Waterloo Road’s Griffin, a Leeds native despite her Manchester-heavy TV portfolio, said: “LeedsBID have come up with a fun and engaging way to introduce visitors to the Leeds story through Trivial Pursuit, and I was happy to play a part in some of this trivia this summer, which is a real honour as a Loiner.”
The Brodrick Hall inside Leeds City Museum, named after architect Cuthbert Brodrick who designed several of the city’s most iconic buildings, hosts the final stop of the game, showcasing the key centenary milestones that have shaped the city.
Sara Merritt, principal keeper, Leeds City Museum and Leeds Discovery Centre, added: “Leeds City Museum is excited to host Trivial Pursuit as part of Leeds400 this summer, offering visitors a fun and interactive way to celebrate knowledge, curiosity, and everything that makes Leeds unique.”
