Jeremy Paxman stepping down from hosting University Challenge after 28 years

Jeremy Paxman is stepping down as the host of University Challenge after 28 years, the BBC has announced.

He has presented the quiz show since 1994 and will film his last episode in autumn, with his final series of the programme airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from August 29 through to summer 2023.

The journalist and broadcaster, 72, 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.”

This year the popular BBC programme celebrates 60 years as Britain’s longest running quiz show.

Jeremy Paxman’s replacement is due to be announced later this week (PA)

Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of Unscripted, said: “Since the BBC revived University Challenge in 1994 Jeremy has been at the front and centre of the show’s success and is without doubt one of the world’s finest, and most formidable quizmasters.

“We are hugely grateful to Jeremy for his dedication to the programme for an incredible 28 years, he will be much missed by us all and the show’s millions of viewers.”

The programme’s new presenter will be announced later this week, the corporation said.

Paxman revealed in May 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the world’s second most common neurodegenerative disorder, behind Alzheimer’s disease.

In a statement, he said that he planned to “continue broadcasting and writing for as long as they’ll have me”.

He will discuss the impact of Parkinson’s disease on his life in a new 60-minute documentary entitled Paxman: Putting Up with Parkinson’s, due to air on ITV later this year.