Britain's most popular pub quiz has held its bumper Christmas edition - complete with a question from A lister Paul Rudd.

The Barley Mow in Marylebone, central London holds a quiz every Tuesday which gets booked out weeks in advance - and boasts a lengthy waiting list.

Its Christmas Quiz, a ticketed event which raises money for homeless charity Shelter, is even more popular if possible - selling out practically instantly.

This year's event was held on December 17 and all questions had a festive theme.

The most popular moment was the 'Top Ten Question', which is read each week by a celebrity.

Past readers have included Judi Dench, Michael Sheen, and Will Ferrell - and the Christmas Quiz host was Paul Rudd.

He asked pubgoers to name the top ten Christmas carols - as voted for by Classic FM listeners.

There was also a silent auction - where quizzers had the chance to bid for prizes such as a private cinema screening at Selfridges and a meal for two with wine chosen by a sommelier at The Chiltern Firehouse.

Overall, the event raised £2561.01 for Shelter.

Attendees James Thompson, 27, and Ed Van Zelst, 30, have been coming to The Barley Mow's quiz every week for around half a year.

They both work at a nearby accountancy firm - and reckon they spend about three per cent of their wage at the pub.

James said: "It's just got character. The customers are all good fun and everyone gets to know each other." "

Ed added: "It does its own thing - it's a unique quiz with things like the Oven Glove of Chance, Top Ten Question, and celebrity readers. "

"We love the landlord Will as well." "

Both James and Ed were there when Judi Dench appeared on screen to read the Top Ten Question - and reckon that was their favourite moment so far.

Robin Kinnersley, 30, and Aaron Hepple, 31 have also attended the quiz for a few years - and say it's the atmosphere that makes them return.

Robin said: "It's different to other places as I just feel like you're so welcome. Everyone wants you to do well. "

"We come every year for the Christmas Quiz. It's a tradition. "

"We were here last year when Will Ferrell read the Top Ten Question." "

Meanwhile, regular Paul Thomson, 67, said it's the landlord Will Norris who makes the event so special.

He said: "Will makes it. The quizmaster himself! "

"But it's also about it being a community pub. Everyone knows everyone. "

"And yes, of course, it's always exciting when the celebrity reader appears on screen." "

The Barley Mow first trialled a weekly pub quiz over a decade ago - but it never really took off and was eventually "killed" by Covid. "

The pub's team decided to re-launch after the pandemic, and found there was "a new appetite for quizzing", with the event getting busier and busier each Tuesday."

However, things really took off when they started inviting celebrity guests to read their 'Top Ten Question' - with multi-award-winning actress Dame Judi Dench beginning the tradition.

Landlord Will Norris, who has worked at the pub on-and-off for a decade and bought it off its former owner three years ago, said: "When we initially trialled it, it never really took off - and then Covid naturally killed it. "

"But we re-launched in 2021 and it started growing really quickly. "

"I don't know if it was because people did so much quizzing during lockdown - or if people were just eager to come to events again - but there was definitely a new appetite for quizzing."

"We did this 'Top Ten Question' every week and we decided it would be fun if we could get some celebrities to ask the questions. "

"Judi Dench very kindly agreed to be our first ever 'Celebrity Reader', and once Judi says yes, most people will say yes. "

"So it just really took off from there. Now we're pretty much always booked out three weeks in advance." "

The majority of The Barley Mow's employees are actors and musicians who work at the pub part-time alongside their main careers.

This means all of the quiz's celebrity guests have come from staff pooling their contacts - and appealing to any A-listers they have met or worked with.

Hosts so far include Hollywood stars like Michael Sheen, Hugh Bonneville, and Will Ferrell, as well as famous TV faces like Graham Norton, Dermot O'Leary, and Chris McCausland, who is currently on Strictly Come Dancing.

But owner Will says it isn't just the celebrities that keep people coming back to the quiz.

He said: "We've built a really loyal fanbase of people who live and work in the area - as well as those who travel specifically for our quiz. "

"It's this incredible community vibe, and I think it's really lovely - as well as really rare to still find in London. "

"People love the Top Ten Question but they also love the Oven Glove Of Chance, which allows people to win money by picking the right key out of the glove. "

"And we have people who compete in our Darts League every year. "

"I think it's a testament to the atmosphere we've created." "

For the quiz each Tuesday, the pub saves six tables for regulars who have been attending for years.

Two teams live locally, one is made up of employees at a nearby business, and one is led by the landlord of The Barley Mow's closest rival pub.

The other two travel specifically for the quiz.

There are five other tables punters can book in advance - although these are usually snapped up at least two or three weeks prior to the quiz.

And finally, four extra tables are held back until the Wednesday before the quiz (which takes place the following Tuesday).

Hopefuls can then try and get their hands on a coveted reservation.

You can find out more about The Barley Mow and its "world famous" quiz on its website (https://thebarleymowmarylebone.com/)."