BBC quiz show University Challenge has been given a fresh new look with a new host as filming gets underway in Salford. And bosses have revealed that questions are getting 'harder'.
The show is already known as one of the toughest quizzes on TV, where teams of students from universities across the UK compete against each other to win their 'starter for ten' and answer more brain teasers.
As it returns for its 61st year, bosses have unveiled a fresh new look to the set at the BBC studios at MediaCity. They have also released the first images of new host, BBC presenter Amol Rajan.
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Amol is taking over from long-time presenter Jeremy Paxman, who announced last year he would be stepping down from the show after three decades. He becomes only the third ever host of the iconic show, which was originally presented by Bamber Gascoigne.
The BBC has confirmed the set has been modernised for 2023 in Salford Quays. And the series has a new titles sequence which will be revealed when the show returns this summer, although the title music remains the same.
The set is replacing the previous one which was in place from 2013 and saw 1,736 contestants compete. Among those were the alumni who competed in the Christmas series, including Amol Rajan who appeared as a contestant in 2020. In addition, the previous set saw celebrity specials in support of Comic Relief and Children in Need.
Speaking about his new role, Amol says: "I have spent years re-arranging Monday nights around the need to be in front of my television at 20.30. University Challenge really is my favourite programme.
"And from their feedback and sheer numbers, our treasured audience has made very clear I am far from alone. Perhaps that's no surprise given this is Britain's longest running TV quiz, in a nation of quiz lovers.
"While there is a new a set and presenter, everything else remains: the perfect title music; the peerless voice of Roger Tilling; the fiendish questions; and above all the remarkable students, some of whom come this year from universities competing for the first time.
"What we've seen so far includes moments of huge tension, flashes of genius, and brilliant starters and bonuses that will have viewers joining in and shouting at their screens.”
BBC Commissioning Editor for Entertainment and Comedy, Pinki Chambers has confirmed that the "questions are harder" for the new series. It comes after accusations in recent times that it had been "duming down" after one team were asked questions about Love Island.
Pinki said: “The competition is fierce, the questions are harder and Amol has taken to the programme in an instant. This is going to be one of our best series yet.”
Executive Producer Peter Gwyn says: “The Lifted Entertainment team are genuinely thrilled to be working with Amol Rajan, who will become only the third person to host University Challenge, a programme we've been producing here in the North West for over sixty years.
"We couldn't be more proud or more excited to be part of a new era for this icon of British television.”
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