The 72-year-old broadcaster, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last year, has presented the show since it was revived by the BBC in 1994. It will film its final episode this autumn and its final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from August 29 until the summer of next year. “I’ve had the pleasure of hosting this wonderful series for almost 29 years,” he said Tuesday. “I’ve been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and meet some of the brightest minds in the country. It gives me hope for the future.” His replacement has already been decided and will be announced within the week. University Challenge is Britain’s longest-running game show, having been on air for 60 years. Kate Phillips, director of BBC Unscripted, said: “Since the BBC revived University Challenge in 1994, Jeremy has been front and center for the show’s success and is undoubtedly one of its best and most formidable quizmasters. world. “We are very grateful to Jeremy for his dedication to the program for an incredible 28 years, he will be greatly missed by all of us and the millions of viewers of the show.” In 2021, Paxman revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, saying that his symptoms were “currently mild” and that he was “receiving excellent treatment”. He will discuss his diagnosis in a new ITV documentary to be shown later this year Paxman: If he deals with Parkinson’s, the journalist will think about how the brain disorder has affected him. The quiz master with the contestants (PA) He will also speak to leading experts on the disease, witness a brain dissection and meet other high-profile people living with Parkinson’s. Former University Challenge contestant Bobby Seagull, who rose to fame thanks to his fierce rivalry with Eric Monkman during a semi-final, told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: “I am, like many other fans, sad to see it end of the era of the great and terrible Jeremy Paxman. “It’s just become an institution. Lots of quiz fans every Monday night we have a routine, the highlight of quiz night is University Challenge, Paxman from 1994 was at the center of that. “Jeremy Paxman, in general, really respects the idea of a program where young and older students can demonstrate their knowledge, it shows the value of knowledge. “University Challenge epitomizes that. There are game gimmicks that are fun, University Challenge is about knowledge and that’s something that’s really valuable in the 21st century.” Mr Seagull, a maths teacher, believes former Pointless presenter Richard Osman or broadcaster and journalist Kirsty Wark could take over for Paxman. Bamber Gascoigne presented University Challenge on ITV from 1962 to 1987.
