After more than 28 years as the host of the television quiz show University Challenge, Jeremy Paxman will step down.
In 1994, the former Newsnight host became the second host of the long-running program, and his final edition will air next summer.
A year ago, the news disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Paxman, 72, said in a statement, “I’ve had a great time hosting this fantastic series for nearly 29 years.”
“I’ve had the good fortune to work with an incredible team and meet some of the brightest minds in the country. It inspires optimism for the future.”
The strong former journalist took over as host when the BBC relaunched the student quiz show and has already surpassed the reign of his predecessor Bamber Gascoigne, who hosted it on ITV from 1962 to 1987.
Executive producer Peter Gwyn remarked, “Jeremy has been our host, colleague, and friend for the past 28 years, and the entire University Challenge production staff will miss him terribly.
“Both our audience and the generations of students who have appreciated the opportunity to compete against him in more than 1,000 bouts will miss him dearly.”
Director of BBC Unscripted Kate Phillips stated that Paxman was “without a doubt one of the world’s finest and most fearsome quizmasters” and had been “in the forefront of the show’s success.”
She added, “We are extremely thankful to Jeremy for his extraordinary 28-year commitment to the program; he will be greatly missed by all of us and the show’s millions of viewers.
