Yahoo News Child Genius winner's dad criticised for his behaviour
Channel 4's Child Genius crowned its winner on Saturday, with 12-year-old Rahul Doshi taking home the trophy after beating out the other hopefuls in a week of head-to-heads.
But Rahul's success has been somewhat overshadowed by the behaviour of someone else on the TV show – and no, it wasn't a disgruntled fellow young competitor.
Instead, it was Rahul's dad Minesh who had viewers raising their eyebrows, with many watching at home suggesting that Minesh was taking this competition very seriously indeed.
In last night's final, Rahul went up against nine-year-old Ronan and beat him pretty solidly with a final score of 10-4.
But some viewers claimed that, despite his son's impressive performance, Minesh was cringing when Rahul answered questions incorrectly, and even smirked when his opponent made a mistake:
Why does Rahul's dad think it's acceptable to laugh when Ronan has an incorrect answer? That's a 9 year old child. Disgusting. #ChildGenius
- Shauna (@shaunaydwi) August 19, 2017
I truly respect the intelligence of the children on #ChildGenius however Rahul's Dad is one of the most disrespectful people I've seen!!
- Rob Thornton (@robthornton92) August 19, 2017
Rahul's dad should be ashamed of himself, laughing at Ronan getting the wrong answer, what an obnoxious man #ChildGenius
- Tracey (@Tracey__S__) August 19, 2017
#childgenius Rahul's Dad has left a bad taste in my mouth. Not very dignified behaviour.
- Horatio Hornblower (@Sakam0t0) August 19, 2017
Rahul's dad is infuriating! 😡 #childgenius
- Ashley (@ashleyhutch500) August 20, 2017
Bit late to the party but Rahul's twitchy dad?! Why not dance around a 9 yr old chanting 'loser, loser..' #ChildGenius #FreeRahul
- Phil Docherty (@PhilDocherty1) August 19, 2017
Rahul's dad whenever another kid is on the stand...#ChildGenius pic.twitter.com/nELXjT3A8o
- Coffee Fuelled (@_coffeefuelled) August 19, 2017
Watched #ChildGenius as there nothing on TV. Rahul Dad is a total idiot 🙈 Laughing at his son opponent Ronan for getting answer wrong 😤
- Katie Edwards (@KatieEdwards_11) August 20, 2017
I'm sure he loves his son but Rahul's dad has really embarrassed himself #childgenius . Well done to all the children 👏🏻
- kate morgan (@kategas1973) August 20, 2017
When Rahul was finally crowned winner, Minesh and Rahul's mother Komal took to the stage to join their son, only for Minesh to alienate the few viewers left on his side by lifting the trophy out of his son's hands:
When Rahul's Dad was waving about HIS SONS trophy at the end of #ChildGenius like it was him who won it pic.twitter.com/8RuFCc00Lf
- Lauren May (@LaaaurenMay) August 20, 2017
Rahul's dad just had to lift the trophy, didn't he? Rahul didn't smile much but his dad looked as happy as if he had just won #ChildGenius pic.twitter.com/orAG8vBWPy
- David Gould (@david_gould_) August 20, 2017
Well, that's the last time Rahul is ever gonna get his hands on the trophy #ChildGenius
- Tim Broadbent (@timmy1753) August 20, 2017
Just catching up with #ChildGenius. Some of the parents taking credit for their fantastic kids is horrendous. Rahul's dad. Crikey.
- Chris Simmons (@chrissimmons75) August 20, 2017
just watched the final #ChildGenius and I despise Rahul's dad. Laughing at a 9 year old and lofting the trophy about like he won it! #Arse
- Jenna 🐜 (@jenna_0901) August 20, 2017
"I am the mighty Minesh. Look on my spawn and despair!" #rahul #ChildGenius pic.twitter.com/4ywjbUAOxN
- Eugene Costello (@eugenecostello) August 20, 2017
It's not the first time the Channel 4 show has proven controversial either, as earlier this week the team behind the show spoke out at claims that the children's parents were helping the contestants cheat.
Viewers claimed that the mother of 12-year-old Katie gave her daughter an answer during Tuesday's show using hand signals, claims which Channel 4 rubbished when they told Digital Spy: "The independent adjudicator is satisfied there was no cheating taking place."
Child Genius was hosted by Pointless' Richard Osman and aired on Channel 4.
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