Stephen Fry to host UK reboot of classic US game show Jeopardy!

Virgin Radio

27 Feb 2023, 11:41

Stephen Fry will pop his quiz show hat back on to lead the UK version of beloved US series, Jeopardy!

The former QI host will lead the weekday entertainment show on ITV, forty years after Channel 4 brought the US format to the UK for the first time. 

After its debut in 1983, Channel 4 ran Jeopardy! for a year with Derek Hobson as host, before ITV took over in 1990 to 1993 with Chris Donat and Steve Jones at the helm. Sky One also had their version from 1995 to 1996, hosted by Paul Ross. 

ITV’s latest iteration of Jeopardy! will consist of twenty episodes, and see contestants use their best general knowledge to win rounds and continue amassing winnings… if they can stay on until the end. This new reboot will allow participants to play an extra round compared to the original format, increasing the stakes for the players.

Speaking in a statement, new host Stephen said: “In the United States, Jeopardy! is a phenomenon like no other. Whenever I’m in America, I do my damnedest to catch it every weekday. 

“The idea of hosting it here in the UK makes me dizzy with delight. Such a dedicated quizzing nation as ours will, I hope, welcome this uniquely beguiling and endlessly rewarding game.”

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV Head of Entertainment, added: “Bringing Jeopardy! to a brand new audience as part of our weekday schedule is exciting. There is no one better to host this classic game show than Stephen, bringing knowledge and entertainment to all of our viewers.”

The US version of Jeopardy! has been on the air since 1964, and has put out over 8,000 episodes, making it one of the longest-running game shows ever. Alex Trebek, perhaps the most notable host, presented the series from 1984 until 2020, when he stepped aside while battling pancreatic cancer. Former contestant Ken Jennings and Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik are the current rotating hosts.

Stephen is obviously no stranger to quiz shows, having hosted QI from 2003 to 2016, and was even a contestant on University Challenge in 1980. 

For a few months in 2022, the Black Adder star was also guesting as the host of Countdown, following a “20-year gap” since his last appearance. 

Jeopardy! begins this Autumn on ITV1 & ITVX