Jeremy Paxman to step down from University Challenge after 28 incredible years-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

He’s hosted the programme for almost three decades (Picture: BBC)

Jeremy Paxman is stepping down from his role as host of University Challenge after 28 years, it’s been announced.

In a statement, he 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.’

Having first started hosting the BBC quiz programme since 1994, Paxman’s final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer starting from Monday August 29.

The 72-year-old will continue to host until the summer of 2023, before he bids his final farewell.

A new presenter will then be announced this week.

In a statement, Kate Phillips, the 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, and most formidable quizmasters.

Paxman says his incredible stint on the show has ‘given him hope for the future’ (Picture: BBC/ITV Studios/Joseph Scanlon)

‘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.’

Peter Gwyn, Executive Producer of University Challenge, added: ‘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 was originally launched in the 1960s, when it was helmed by Bamber Gascoigne for over two decades.

The BBC veteran has been the face of University Challenge since the early 1990s (Picture: Yui Mok/PA)

In 1994, it was revived by the BBC, bringing Paxman is as the new quizmaster.

More to follow.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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