Amol Rajan will replace Jeremy Paxman as University Challenge host

Virgin Radio

18 Aug 2022, 09:47

Amol Rajan has confirmed he will be replacing Jeremy Paxman as the host of BBC's University Challenge

This follows Paxman’s announcement that he would be leaving the show after an impressive 28 years at the helm.

Rajan confirmed the news on his Instagram on Thursday (18th August) and stated he was “extremely humbled and excited” for the opportunity.

He added it was “a proper dream come true” and said he could “honestly say University Challenge is my favourite show. I love it. The music, the students, the format, the history, the shameless intellectual ambition. And I love being a quizmaster, as my mates can attest. So this feel massively humbling.”

Raja also paid homage to the previous host and said: “Jeremy Paxman has been a giant in British broadcasting and culture ever since I can remember. He has total authority behind that desk: something I will have to earn. Thanks largely to him, the show, and format (which was imported from America 60 years ago) is stronger than ever.”

He ended his statement by remembering his father, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Rajan concluded: “I haven’t posted much on here for a while, because to be frank I have been in a pit of grief since my dear Dad died. It’s hit me extremely hard, and changed me profoundly. I know we all have to go through it, and I’m doing all that processing that people talk about, but it sucks.

“Especially when very cool life events like this happen, and even more so when it’s do with universities and knowledge. That was everything for my dear Dad, still the cleverest guy I ever me... He would have loved to see me do this show. Then again, as my brother says, he would have loved me to pay off my mortgage even more…”

Paxman first appeared on the quiz show in 1994 and will film his last episode as host in the Autumn, with his final series airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 29 August to summer 2023.

This comes after the presenter revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

In a statement about his departure from the show, he 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.”

University Challenge is celebrating its 60th birthday this year and is now  Britain’s longest running quiz show.