University Challenge to get a new host

[LookItsMeAgain]

Just after seeing that Jeremy Paxman will be stepping down as the host and question-master on University Challenge.

www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62561558

He's been in the chair for the past 28 years!

I didn't realise it has been that long.

Who do you think should take over posing the questions, taking into account that they generally have to speak rather quickly at reading out the questions and have to know how to pronounce so many words that are not in the general lexicon for daily use?

I’ll be so sorry to see Paxo go! I’d like Richard Osman or someone like that. I love UC

Anyone but Anne Robinson - that would make it unwatchable.

Do we think it’ll be a woman?

Rylan is the obvious pick!
Love UC and will miss Paxman, think a serious jorno woman like Emily Matlis would be a good choice. Or Naga from breakfast, she’s suitably no nonsense and impatient.

My vote is Sandy Toksvig

Samira Ahmed has expressed an interest and I'd have no problem with that at all.

It needs to be someone who will just read the bloody questions!
Don't want it need insults/patronising comments/jokes/'interesting' asides.
I love UC, but the last few years have been ruined for me by JP and his unecessary rudeness.

Her expression of interest on Twitter was a bit sphincter-clenching, I thought, particularly referring to support from Bamber Gascoigne and how the team she's been working with as standby presenter "seem to love me".

Anyone but Victoria C-M for me.

Have loved UC for many years, but if it is hosted by a smug BBC favourite like Sandi Toksvig etc then it would be unwatchable. Needs to be a serious journalist type person, not a smug so called comedian/presenter.

My DH and I have thought he's not been himself for a while... a bit vacant somehow. I wonder if he's just wanting to retire or if there is some medical reason.

Osman, Toksvig, Fry and Armstrong are a bit ubiquitous but one of them is probably a strong contender. Samira Ahmed would be cool but I'd love someone like Jeremy Northam. Nice on the eye and a soothing voice...busy acting I guess.

Has JP really been on UC that long? 😯
In my head ‘And asking the questions…’ will always be Bamber Gascogne.

He has Parkinsons disease. It was obvious in the last series unfortunately- some slurring if his words when he was asking questions, so it was just a matter of time.

He's got Parkinson's. Please not Mr. Smug aka Alexander Armstrong.

I still miss Bamber Gasgoine! My sugestions are

Sian Williams (I'm a big fan of hers, she's super clever)
Jackie Long (from channel 4 news).

I could deal with Richard Osman actually. Not Victoria Coren-Mitchell - I like her a lot but she’s quite arch and it needs someone who’s 95% very serious.

Naga from bbc breakfast is a great shout.

Victoria Coren-Mitchell. She'd be excellent.

Agree, definitely not AA. He ruined Classic FM for me.

I don’t think it will be Victoria as she still does Only Connect and it would mean her being on two quiz shows back to back (they tend to be shown on the same night). She would be good though.

I love Victoria but my weekly treat is UC and Only Connect so I want her to stay with that. Naga would be good

Ha! Cross-posted with PP

Boris Johnson of course!
He's out of a job after all..

Emma Barnett

VCM or Sandi T.

Yes, I found him quite rude sometimes, I like UC and love it if I get any questions right. My best night was eight! How I never got to university back in the early 70s I don't know. 😂😂

if he wasn't already doing Mastermind, I'd go for Clive Myrie.