Amol Rajan has been announced as the new host of University Challenge taking over from Jeremy Paxman.
The BBC ’s current media editor will take over as the quizmaster from Jeremy in 2023.
The 39-year-old announced his new role in a statement on social media on Thursday morning as he insisted that being asked to be a part of the iconic gameshow was a dream come true.
"Being asked to host my favourite TV programme is dream-come-true territory. I have watched University Challenge obsessively for years, addicted to its high standards, glorious title music, and inspirational contestants," he penned.
"It’s the best possible antidote to cynicism about young people, allowing millions of us to test our wits against the best minds of a new generation, and annoy and impress our families by barking answers from the sofa."
Amol went on to admit that he was ‘conscious’ of following in the footsteps of the late Bamber Gascoigne, who died earlier this year, and Jeremy, who has fronted the show for a whopping 28 years.
Speaking about Jeremy after the star announced he was stepping down from the show earlier this week, Amol insisted that he had big shoes to fill.
"I have vast shoes to fill. With his immense intellect, authority, and respect from students and viewers alike, Jeremy hands over a format, and show, as strong as ever," he gushed.
"I won’t stop thinking today about my late, beloved Dad, whose devotion to Education brought him to England, whose love of Knowledge I imbibed as a kid, and whose belief in the noble challenge of university so shaped my life.
‘I’ll devote my first Starter for 10 to him – and to the millions of quiz fiends who, like me, love those rare occasions when they know the answer before the students do."
Amol will take over from Jeremy next year when the veteran broadcaster finally hangs up his University Challenge boots.
The presenter, 72, has presented the BBC show since 1994.
He will film his last episode this autumn and his final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday 29 August until next summer.
Announcing his departure from the show on Tuesday, Jeremy gushed over his 'amazing team' as he insisted that he has great hopes for the future.
“I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years," he penned.
"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.”
Jeremy has been battling Parkinson's disease in recent years.
The broadcaster revealed his diagnosis in May 2021.
He told that he has been receiving "excellent treatment" and that his symptoms are "currently mild".
In a statement to the PA news agency, he said: "I can confirm I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I am receiving excellent treatment and my symptoms are currently mild.
"I plan to continue broadcasting and writing for as long as they'll have me and have written about my diagnosis in more detail for the June issue of the marvellous Saga Magazine.
"I will not be making any further comment."
Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects the brain. Symptoms include tremors, slow movements and stiffness.
