Jeremy Paxman to bid farewell to University Challenge after virtually three many years
J
eremy Paxman will current his ultimate version of University Challenge, ending his reign because the longest-serving present quizmaster on British TV.
The veteran broadcaster, who has hosted the present because it was revived by the BBC in 1994, introduced he was stepping down a 12 months after being recognized with Parkinson’s illness.
It was later introduced journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan will take the reins changing into the third host of the programme in it’s 60-year historical past, after Bamber Gascoigne first launched the quiz in 1962.
During his time within the quizmasters chair, Paxman turned famed for his disapproving seems to be and combative type, which noticed him conflict with quite a lot of contestants throughout his 29 years on the helm.
His ultimate version internet hosting the BBC Two present, which pits college students in groups of 4 in opposition to rival universities and schools, will air on Monday at 8.30pm.
Born in Leeds, Paxman began his profession in 1972 on the BBC’s graduate trainee programme, working in native radio and reporting on the Troubles in Belfast.
Shortly after transferring to London in 1977, he transferred from Tonight to investigative flagship programme Panorama, earlier than stints on the Six O’Clock News and BBC One’s Breakfast Time.
He turned a presenter of Newsnight in 1989, a place he would maintain till June 2014, throughout which he interviewed high-profile figures from politics and tradition.
Bowing out after 25 years, Paxman introduced a Newsnight programme together with an interview with then-London mayor Boris Johnson, whereas they each rode a tandem bicycle.
He introduced in May 2021 he was being handled for Parkinson’s however stated his signs had been “currently mild”.
University Challenge is because of return this summer season, that includes a brand new batch of fiendishly tough questions and keen college students with hopes of claiming the grand prize.
The BBC just lately launched first look photographs of the modernised set of University Challenge, which is able to characteristic a brand new title sequence, however the well-known title music and peerless voice of Roger Tilling will stay.