Like the Doctor in the Tardis, the new presenter of University Challenge will know they have a hard act to follow, as Jeremy Paxman’s withering looks and razor-sharp question-mastery have become part of the show’s very identity. And, much like the new Doctor, when the BBC announced it would name University Challenge’s next host later this week, it prompted fierce speculation on social media.
So who could it be? While former Question Time and Newsnight presenters make some obvious choices, the new host will need to be someone with enough time in their schedule, and popular picks like Clive Myrie and Jeremy Vine are already busy with quiz shows Mastermind and Eggheads, respectively.
But that still leaves us with plenty of predictions. Fingers on buzzers! Here’s our starter for ten…
Samira Ahmed
A fearless and award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Ahmed will narrate a University Challenge documentary airing later this month,...
So who could it be? While former Question Time and Newsnight presenters make some obvious choices, the new host will need to be someone with enough time in their schedule, and popular picks like Clive Myrie and Jeremy Vine are already busy with quiz shows Mastermind and Eggheads, respectively.
But that still leaves us with plenty of predictions. Fingers on buzzers! Here’s our starter for ten…
Samira Ahmed
A fearless and award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Ahmed will narrate a University Challenge documentary airing later this month,...
- 8/16/2022
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
Jeremy Paxman is to step down from stalwart BBC quiz show University Challenge after almost three decades.
The former Newsnight presenter will film his last episode this fall and his final series will air from August to next Summer.
A new presenter will be announced later this week for the UK’s longest-running quiz show.
Paxman said he’d “had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years” and had “been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and meet some of the ‘swottier’ brains in the country.”
“It gives me hope for the future,” added Paxman, who is also a formidable political interviewer. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease last year.
Paxman led a revived BBC Two Newsnight, which is based on U.S. format College Bowl, from 1994 after the ITV Studios-produced show was axed by ITV in 1987 following a 25-year run helmed by Bamber Gascoigne.
The former Newsnight presenter will film his last episode this fall and his final series will air from August to next Summer.
A new presenter will be announced later this week for the UK’s longest-running quiz show.
Paxman said he’d “had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years” and had “been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and meet some of the ‘swottier’ brains in the country.”
“It gives me hope for the future,” added Paxman, who is also a formidable political interviewer. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease last year.
Paxman led a revived BBC Two Newsnight, which is based on U.S. format College Bowl, from 1994 after the ITV Studios-produced show was axed by ITV in 1987 following a 25-year run helmed by Bamber Gascoigne.
- 8/16/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
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