Bamber Gascoigne has died at the age of 87.
The original host of BBC's University Challenge died at home after a short illness, according to his representative.
Gascoigne was the original quizmaster, and fronted the show for 25 years, until the end of its initial run in 1987.
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He coined the phrase "starter for ten", which has since become the show's catchphrase.
Bamber was married to wife Christina, daughter of civil servant Alfred Henry Ditchburn CBE, for 55 years.
The pair lived together in Richmond, London.
News of his death has come as a shock to many, with a number of people taking to social media to pay tribute to him.
The Chase's Paul Sinha said: "It seems that Bamber Gascoigne has passed away. His effortless erudition, making whole swathes of impenetrable knowledge seem cheerfully accessible, was totally inspiring to this kid of the 80s.
"Sadly we may never see his like on our screens again."
Maurice McLeod said: "RIP Bamber Gascoigne, the man who made me feel stupid all the way through my youth!"
Martin Bell said: "There goes another chunk of the landscape of my youth. Bamber Gascoigne has died :( RIP"
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