Huddled around their tables, locals poured into The Barking Dog each week to take on a pub quiz – but one thing was amiss.
The same team kept winning the prize of a £30 bar tab, leaving regulars scratching their heads and some stopped turning up in protest.
Then, a twist. Bosses at the pub in Urmston, Greater Manchester, said they received an anonymous tip-off and caught the team “cheating red-handed” when players were spotted whispering into their smartwatches to get answers.
They revealed the curious goings-on in an Instagram post last week – and it swiftly went viral, attracting interest from people around the world.
Here at the Barking Dog on a damp, dark Wednesday night this week, BBC News has come along to witness the first edition of the quiz since the scandal emerged.
And regulars have made a packed return, with 17 teams taking part, though the almost Traitors-like tale of alleged cheating looms large.
The suspect team, which managers are refusing to name, were banned from the quiz – but are welcome to still attend the pub – yet some regulars say the furore has left them “too scared” to wear their smartwatches.
One of the teams, comprising of Grace, Beth, Olivia, Ellie and Jack, has been entering the quiz for about three years.
They say they’re pleased the cheating team has finally been rumbled, as other teams had stopped coming. “It’s brought people back and it’s nice to see familiar faces back in the pub,” says Grace.