BBC News media editor Amol Rajan has been appointed the new host of U.K. gameshow “University Challenge.”
The current host, Jeremy Paxman, revealed he would be stepping down after 28 years. He is set to shoot his last episode this fall and his last series will air from Aug. 29 through to next summer.
Rajan, who will step down as media editor later this year, is set to take over the hosting chair in early 2023, with his first episodes appearing in the fall. He will continue to present BBC Radio 4’s “Today” programme as well as “Amol Rajan Interviews.”
“University Challenge” is the U.K.’s longest-running quiz show, having launched 60 years ago fronted by Bamber Gascoigne. A documentary about the show is set to air on BBC Two and the BBC’s streaming platform iPlayer on Aug. 29.
“Being asked to host my favourite TV programme is dream-come-true territory,” said Rajan.
The current host, Jeremy Paxman, revealed he would be stepping down after 28 years. He is set to shoot his last episode this fall and his last series will air from Aug. 29 through to next summer.
Rajan, who will step down as media editor later this year, is set to take over the hosting chair in early 2023, with his first episodes appearing in the fall. He will continue to present BBC Radio 4’s “Today” programme as well as “Amol Rajan Interviews.”
“University Challenge” is the U.K.’s longest-running quiz show, having launched 60 years ago fronted by Bamber Gascoigne. A documentary about the show is set to air on BBC Two and the BBC’s streaming platform iPlayer on Aug. 29.
“Being asked to host my favourite TV programme is dream-come-true territory,” said Rajan.
- 8/18/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Jeremy Paxman, who presented popular BBC quiz show show “University Challenge” since 1994, will film his last episode this fall. A new presenter will be announced later this week.
The final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Aug. 29 through to summer 2023. “University Challenge,” the U.K.’s longest running quiz show, celebrates 60 years in 2022. A documentary on the show will air on BBC Two and iPlayer on Aug. 29.
Paxman said: “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.”
Kate Phillips, BBC’s director of unscripted, 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,...
The final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Aug. 29 through to summer 2023. “University Challenge,” the U.K.’s longest running quiz show, celebrates 60 years in 2022. A documentary on the show will air on BBC Two and iPlayer on Aug. 29.
Paxman said: “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.”
Kate Phillips, BBC’s director of unscripted, 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,...
- 8/16/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Bamber Gascoigne, who was the original presenter of popular TV quiz show “University Challenge,” has died after a brief illness. He was 87.
Gascoigne presented the show, which aired on U.K. broadcaster ITV, from 1962-1987. The show was later revived on the BBC in 1994 and continues being aired.
2006 film “Starter for 10” revolved around “University Challenge.” It starred James McAvoy, Rebecca Hall and Benedict Cumberbatch and featured Mark Gatiss, who would go on to write BBC series “Sherlock,” as Gascoigne.
David Nicholls, who wrote the book “Starter for 10,” on which the film was based, said: “Bamber was a big part of my TV childhood and was very gracious about his fictional cameo in ‘Starter For 10.’ He came to the book launch and left me quite starstruck.”
Gascoigne was also known for presenting ITV documentary series “The Christians” (1977) and Channel 4 series “The Great Moghuls” (1990).
Stephen Fry, who participated...
Gascoigne presented the show, which aired on U.K. broadcaster ITV, from 1962-1987. The show was later revived on the BBC in 1994 and continues being aired.
2006 film “Starter for 10” revolved around “University Challenge.” It starred James McAvoy, Rebecca Hall and Benedict Cumberbatch and featured Mark Gatiss, who would go on to write BBC series “Sherlock,” as Gascoigne.
David Nicholls, who wrote the book “Starter for 10,” on which the film was based, said: “Bamber was a big part of my TV childhood and was very gracious about his fictional cameo in ‘Starter For 10.’ He came to the book launch and left me quite starstruck.”
Gascoigne was also known for presenting ITV documentary series “The Christians” (1977) and Channel 4 series “The Great Moghuls” (1990).
Stephen Fry, who participated...
- 2/8/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
John Thomson and Kate Adie are among the famous faces who will take part in this year's Christmas series of University Challenge.
Notable graduates from 14 universities and colleges will compete to become the series champions - and earn Jeremy Paxman's approval, of course.
Thomson will be fighting for the honour of Manchester Metropolitan University along with Gordon Taylor from the Professional Footballers' Association, actor Bernard Hill and Eddie Morland from the Health and Safety Laboratory.
Meanwhile, Adie is batting for Newcastle along with journalist Giles Fraser.
Other teams competing include King's College, Cambridge; Trinity Hall, Cambridge - featuring actor Dan Starkey; Royal Holloway - with a team including broadcaster Francis Wheen; and York, who will include broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis in their squad.
Warwick University have novelist Jonathan Coe in their ranks, while Leeds University, Balliol College, Oxford, Surrey University and Goldsmiths, London will also all field teams.
Meanwhile, actor Samuel West,...
Notable graduates from 14 universities and colleges will compete to become the series champions - and earn Jeremy Paxman's approval, of course.
Thomson will be fighting for the honour of Manchester Metropolitan University along with Gordon Taylor from the Professional Footballers' Association, actor Bernard Hill and Eddie Morland from the Health and Safety Laboratory.
Meanwhile, Adie is batting for Newcastle along with journalist Giles Fraser.
Other teams competing include King's College, Cambridge; Trinity Hall, Cambridge - featuring actor Dan Starkey; Royal Holloway - with a team including broadcaster Francis Wheen; and York, who will include broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis in their squad.
Warwick University have novelist Jonathan Coe in their ranks, while Leeds University, Balliol College, Oxford, Surrey University and Goldsmiths, London will also all field teams.
Meanwhile, actor Samuel West,...
- 12/5/2014
- Digital Spy
In a totally left field and completely unpredictable choice, 67 year old Nick Hewer has been hired as the new permanent presenter of Channel 4′s daytime gameshow Countdown.
Lord Alan Sugar’s long-term adviser and who in recent years has rose to fame on television with his dry wit, his acerbic putdowns, his unique physical ability to look knowledgeable, bemused and excitable all in one expression as Sugar’s sidekick on The Apprentice, will make his first on-air appearance on January 9th. His first run of episodes will be shot next month.
Hewer replaces the popular Jeff Stelling who leaves the show after finding it too difficult to film a daily quiz program along with his increasing work as a Sky Sports Presenter where he has become the main face of Champions League football in the wake of the resignation of Richard Keys, not to mention his exhaustible Soccer Saturday gig.
Lord Alan Sugar’s long-term adviser and who in recent years has rose to fame on television with his dry wit, his acerbic putdowns, his unique physical ability to look knowledgeable, bemused and excitable all in one expression as Sugar’s sidekick on The Apprentice, will make his first on-air appearance on January 9th. His first run of episodes will be shot next month.
Hewer replaces the popular Jeff Stelling who leaves the show after finding it too difficult to film a daily quiz program along with his increasing work as a Sky Sports Presenter where he has become the main face of Champions League football in the wake of the resignation of Richard Keys, not to mention his exhaustible Soccer Saturday gig.
- 11/16/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
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