Jeremy Paxman is stepping down as the host of University Challenge after 28 years on the BBC show.
The legendary broadcaster, 72, has presented the hit university quiz show since 1994, where he famously grills some of the brightest students across the country.
Jeremy is set to film his final episode this autumn, with his final series airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday (August 29) through to the summer of next year.
The TV quizmaster said he’s “had a blast” hosting the show and quizzing the brainboxes has given him “hope for the future”.
(Image: BBC/ITV Studios/Rachel Joseph)
He said of his exit: “I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years. I’ve been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and to meet some of the swottier brains in the country. It gives me hope for the future.”
It comes a year after Paxman announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Paxman’s replacement is yet to be confirmed but set to be announced later this week.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said Jeremy will be “much missed” by the BBC and the show’s millions of viewers.
(Image: BBC)
She said: “Since the BBC revived University Challenge in 1994 Jeremy has been at the front and centre of the show’s success and is without doubt one of the world’s finest, and most formidable quizmasters.
“We are hugely grateful to Jeremy for his dedication to the programme for an incredible 28 years, he will be much missed by us all and the show’s millions of viewers.”
(Image: BBC / ITV Studios / Rachel Joseph)
Peter Gwyn, who is Executive Producer of University Challenge, said: “Jeremy has been our presenter, colleague and friend for twenty-eight years, and everyone on the University Challenge production team will miss him greatly.
“He’ll be sorely missed too by both our audience and by the generations of students who’ve relished the chance to pit themselves against him in more than a thousand matches.”
University Challenge, which turns 60 this year, has become Britain’s longest running quiz show.
A special documentary about the programme will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Monday August 29 at 9pm.
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