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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird

Hit BBC quiz show to return to screens in WEEKS with dramatic new look and host

The BBC has confirmed that University Challenge will be returning to screens shortly and will look extremely different.

It comes after former presenter Jeremy Paxman, 73, announced he was stepping down from the BBC Two quiz show, following his Parkinson's diagnosis, after almost three decades fronting the programme.

Now, viewers can expect to see the show back on their screens on July 17 as 28 new student teams battle it out to come out on top.

As well as the start date, Paxman's replacement host has also been revealed to be broadcaster Amol Rajan, who had previously served as the BBC News Media Editor across the corporation.

He has also fronted several prime-time interviews on his own show, Amol Rajan Interviews, appeared on Radio 4's Today programme as well as hosted podcasts on a string of topics including Education, Climate Change and Population.

Amol Rajan is the new host of University Challenge (PA)

But while the host and set may be different, the BBC have also announced that there is a new title sequence but the time-honoured format will be the same.

Rajan is the third person to take on the role of presenter over the show's 61-year tenure, following on from Paxman and original host Bamber Gascoigne. But, he's vowed to bring his own unique spin to the programme.

He said: "We're back! I'm so excited to watch along with audiences and relive this wonderful series. And what a wonderful series it is, with thrilling finishes and standards as high as ever."

The latest series of the quiz show comes just two months after Jeremy announced his departure during a low-key exit as he praised viewers and vowed to continue watching the programme.

He is replacing Jeremy Paxman (PA)

In an emotional departure, he said: "It remains for me to thank Jung Chang for presenting the trophy, all the teams who have entertained us over the past months, and you for watching.

"University Challenge returns later in the year and I look forward to watching it with you. So it’s goodnight for me. Goodnight."

Fans were left emotional at home as one took to social media, saying: "What an elegant no nonsense farewell to University Challenge by Jeremy Paxman. He'll probably snort but I found it rather moving.."

"It was the end of an era, such an understated goodbye," said a second. Before a third went on to type: "Thank you Jeremy for 29 absolutely superbly stellar years in the #UniversityChallenge chair."

University Challenge returns to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on July 17.

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