Amol Rajan is not going to attempt to ‘out-savage’ Paxman as new University Challenge host
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mol Rajan has mentioned he is not going to attempt to “out-savage” Jeremy Paxman, forward of the airing of his first episode as quiz grasp on University Challenge.
The BBC journalist, 40, hailed his predecessor as a “giant of broadcasting” however mentioned he would method contestants with “a certain amount of affection”.
Rajan was introduced final yr as the brand new host of the favored quiz present, taking up from Paxman, who fronted the present for 29 years.
He is the third individual to current the primary collection of the programme in its 61-year historical past. Bamber Gascoigne had launched the quiz in 1962.
Speaking to The One Show on Monday forward of the airing of his first episode, Rajan mentioned he had had a “sweet” cellphone name with Paxman after touchdown the position, and promised he would strive to not “screw it up”.
“(Paxman) is a giant of broadcasting; such an enormous heroic figure in our culture,” he mentioned.
“I had two messages… one is ‘thank you for passing the show on in such great condition… the ratings are great, the show’s format is as solid as ever’.
“But the other thing is I’ll try not to screw it up.”
Throughout his tenure on University Challenge, Paxman was identified for his biting remarks and exasperated reactions to incorrect solutions from contestants.
Asked about his personal presenting fashion, Rajan mentioned: “I don’t know if I can out-savage (Paxman). I’m going to be me.
“I’ve got a rule – I’m going to do put-downs, A, if they deserve it and B, if I really knew the answer.
“I think if you like to have a scathing put-down and you’re making up that you knew the answer, people were about to be able to tell.
“But you’ve got to do it with a certain amount of affection – and these young people… are so amazing.
“They’re not from wealthy backgrounds necessarily. They’re incredibly clever and they just want to have a good time.
“So I’m trying to kind of be a friend to them, but I’m also the boss and so if they do say something embarrassing – as I have once or twice been told off myself – I will tell them off.”
Rajan mentioned he had not but seen the primary episode, and could be watching along with his son Winston.
He added that the second shall be “poignant” after the demise of his father final yr.
“(My father) came to this country (with) family values, aspirations, and a real belief in education and knowledge,” he mentioned.
“And I think the reason University Challenge specifically means so much to me is it kind of embodied what he sacrificed to come to this country for, and so it’s going to be a bit sad that he’s not there tonight.
“But to be doing this. I know if he was watching he’d absolutely love it.”
University Challenge returns at 8.30pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Tackling the powerful questions shall be 28 new pupil groups from universities throughout the nation, from Aberdeen to Southampton.
The present has a brand new set and title sequence, however its format will stay the identical, with contestants anticipated to buzz in and reply questions on an unlimited array of topics.
Rajan additionally presents Radio 4’s flagship Today programme and Amol Rajan Interviews, and has hosted BBC podcasts on topics together with schooling, local weather change, equity and inhabitants.
In 2020, he appeared as a contestant on a star Christmas particular of University Challenge, however his group from Downing College, Cambridge, misplaced to Durham University.
In May 2021, Paxman introduced he was being handled for Parkinson’s illness however mentioned his signs had been “currently mild”.
It was revealed in an ITV documentary that his physician recognized him with the illness after noticing he was much less “exuberant” on University Challenge.
Paxman mentioned: “It turned out that he had been watching University Challenge and had noticed that my face had acquired what’s known as the Parkinson Mask.”