Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Kate Lally

Unearthed footage shows Jeremy Paxman on The Thick Of It

Jeremy Paxman is one of the UK's most respected journalists after a TV career spanning decades.

The former Newsnight presenter, 72, announced his decision to step down from University Challenge earlier this year, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He had fronted the show, which sees teams of students go up against each other to answer a tough series of questions, for some 29 years.

Mr Paxman first joined the BBC in 1972 and has since become known for his forthright interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians.

READ MORE: Amol Rajan confirmed as new University Challenge host after Jeremy Paxman exit

And in 2007, he played himself on political satire comedy The Thick Of It. Mr Paxman grilled Ben Swain, a backbench MP who previously served in the Shadow Cabinet.

Swain fidgeted and "mega blinked" as he struggled to answer a single question, making the scene one of the show's most cringeworthy. Meanwhile, viewers can see Will, Emma and Ollie squirming as they watch from home.

The interview didn't last long, with Malcolm Tucker telling producers to wrap it up. Mr Paxman turns to a bumbling Mr Swain and says "Minister, thank you very much".

Mr Swain says: "Well, no, not yet" to which Jeremy repeats: "Thank you very much" and the discussion comes to a close.

A clip of the episode on Youtube is billed by the BBC as "Junior Minister Ben Swain is carved up by Jeremy Paxman on his first appearance on Newsnight." Despite it being uploaded in 2010, it is still gaining views to this day.

One viewer recently commented: "Coming here today after Liz Truss's performance on BBC local radio...", while another said: "When Jeremy Paxman said, "Thank you very much". That was it for Ben, the show was over, it was curtains, no curtain call", and a third added: "Love how Will and Ollie hate each other's guts but can come together to roast Ben".

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

READ NEXT:

Coronation Street's Harriet Bibby declares love for co-star after night out

Loose Women's Kaye Adams suffers awkward encounter after being voted off Strictly

Drivers could get £1,000 fine if ambulance or police are behind them

Martin Lewis warns 'don't buy that house' as mortgages could rise by £5k a year

Frank Lampard comes home and wife Christine's friends 'can't cope'

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.