Amol Rajan is to replace Jeremy Paxman as the host of University Challenge, the BBC has announced.
The journalist and broadcaster will take over hosting duties from 2023 after Jeremy confirmed on Tuesday he is stepping down after 28 years. In a statement, 39-year-old Amol said: “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. 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.
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"I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber [Gascoigne] and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill."
Amol praised his predecessor's "immense intellect, authority, and respect" and said he hands over a show "as strong as ever." Amol added: "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 is known for being a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4's Today programme, which he joined last year. He has also presented The One Show, and was previously editor of The Independent newspaper.
Amol has been BBC News' Media Editor since December 2016, but will step down from this role later this year. Jeremy Paxman, 72, has presented University Challenge since 1994 and will film his last episode this autumn, with his final series to air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday, 29 August through to summer 2023.
Speaking to the BBC regarding his exit, Jeremy 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.”
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