Who’s in the running to replace Jeremy Paxman as host of University Challenge?

Sandi Toksvig and Fiona Bruce are both being touted as frontrunners.
Jeremy Paxman has announced he is stepping down as host of University Challenge after 28 years (BBC/Granada Media/PA)
PA Media
Alex Green16 August 2022
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

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

The BBC said the new presenter of the programme, which pits students in teams of four against rival universities and colleges, will be announced later this week.

Here is a look at the runners and riders who could replace him in the presenter’s chair.

– Sandi Toksvig

Sandi Toksvig (Ian West/PA)
PA Archive

The 64-year-old Danish-born broadcaster and comedian is the frontrunner to step into Paxman’s shoes, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes, which is offering her odds of 2/1.

Toksvig has ample experience hosting quiz shows after fronting QI since 2016, and became a fan favourite hosting the Great British Bake Off alongside Noel Fielding.

– Richard Osman

Richard Osman (Matt Crossick/PA)
PA Archive

In April, Osman announced he was leaving BBC One game show Pointless after nearly 13 years to spend more time writing novels, but his departure also puts him in line to succeed Paxman.

Responding to news of Paxman’s departure, the 51-year-old tweeted: “Two hosts in 50 years. Both of them brilliant. One of my greatest claims to fame is that I introduced Jeremy Paxman to Nando’s.”

Osman could be the third host, after Bamber Gascoigne and Paxman, with Ladbrokes offering him odds of 3/1.

– Samira Ahmed

Samira Ahmed (David Parry/PA)
PA Archive

BBC journalist and broadcaster Ahmed has worked across Radio 4’s PM, The World Tonight and Front Row but fronting University Challenge would be her most high-profile role yet.

The 54-year-old revealed on Twitter that she had approached the programme “months ago” and been drafted in as its “stand-by presenter”.

Ahmed added: “I’ve loved working with the fab team who seem to love me & just narrated a UC documentary that’s going out on BBC2. And I’ve loved helping set a few questions for this series too.

“But no one from the BBC has spoken to me yet about taking over. I’ve always been happy to go through an honest fair process and be judged on my merits. I still am.”

Author Sir Philip Pullman threw his support behind her, tweeting: “Excellent idea. I’m all for it.”

– Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis (Ian West/PA)
PA Archive

The actor, best known for roles in the Star Wars and Harry Potter film series, is being given odds of 6/1 by Ladbrokes to take over as University Challenge presenter.

The 52-year-old has previous experience in the hosting chair, having presented ITV game shows Celebrity Squares and Tenable as well as appearing as a guest host on Have I Got News For You.

– Richard Ayoade

Richard Ayoade (Isabel Infantes/PA)
PA Archive

Ladbrokes are offering odds of 8/1 for actor, comedian and presenter Ayoade.

The 45-year-old has proved to be a popular choice as host of the Bafta TV Awards since 2020 and also fronted the revived Crystal Maze series on Channel 4.

– Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth (David Davies/PA)
PA Wire

As a broadcaster, writer and former politician, Brandreth has the breadth of knowledge required to host a show such as University Challenge.

Ladbrokes is offering the 74-year-old odds of 8/1 to land the role.

– Fiona Bruce

Fiona Bruce (BBC/PA)
PA Media

Bruce is favourite with bookmaker Betfair to claim the role with odds of 2/1.

The 58-year-old journalist joined the BBC as a researcher on Panorama in 1989 and over the next 14 years rose to become the first female newsreader on the BBC’s flagship News At Ten.

She currently presents Question Time and Antiques Roadshow so may struggle to find time in her schedule.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in