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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel

Jeremy Paxman leaves University Challenge after 28 years amid Parkinson's battle

Jeremy Paxman has stepped down from University Challenge after almost three decades at the helm.

The presenter, 72, has presented the BBC show for 28 years, since 1994.

The journalist will film his last episode this autumn and his final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iplayer from Monday, August 29 until next summer.

Announcing his departure from the show on Tuesday, Jeremy praised his 'amazing team' and told fans he that he has high hopes for the future.

“I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years," he penned.

"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.”

(SUNDAY MAIL)

Addressing Jeremy's departure from the long-running show, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, Kate Phillips, 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.”

Peter Gwyn, Executive Producer of University Challenge, also said: "Jeremy has been our presenter, colleague and friend for twenty-eight years, and everyone on the University Challenge production team will miss him greatly.

"He'll be sorely missed too by both our audience and by the generations of students who've relished the chance to pit themselves against him in more than a thousand matches."

In June 2014, Paxman left BBC current affairs programme Newsnight after 25 years as its presenter.

He revealed in May 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

In a statement to the PA news agency, he said: "I can confirm I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I am receiving excellent treatment and my symptoms are currently mild.

"I plan to continue broadcasting and writing for as long as they'll have me and have written about my diagnosis in more detail for the June issue of the marvellous Saga Magazine.

"I will not be making any further comment."

The new presenter of the programme, which pits students against teams of four at rival universities and colleges with questions including "starters for 10", will be announced later this week, the BBC said.

University Challenge first aired in 1962 hosted by Bamber Gascoigne and this year celebrates its 60th anniversary as the Britain's longest running TV quiz show.

Born in Leeds, Paxman started his career in 1972 on the BBC's graduate trainee programme, working in local radio and reporting on the Troubles in Belfast.

To mark the occasion, a special documentary will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Monday August 29 at 9pm.

Shortly after moving to London in 1977, he transferred from Tonight to investigative flagship programme Panorama, before stints on the Six O'Clock News and BBC One's Breakfast Time.

He became a presenter of Newsnight in 1989, a position he would hold until June 2014 during which time he interviewed high-profile figures from politics and culture.

Bowing out after 25 years, Paxman presented a Newsnight programme including an interview with then-London mayor Boris Johnson, while they both rode a tandem bicycle.
He announced in May 2021 he was being treated for Parkinson's but said his symptoms were "currently mild".

Earlier this month, ITV announced a documentary in which Paxman will reflect on his diagnosis and meet those at the forefront of research.

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