Journalist and broadcaster Amor Rajan will take over from Jeremy Paxman as host of the University Challenge from autumn 2023, the BBC said.
Rajan, 39, succeeds Paxman as the first TV quiz show host in 28 years to end his reign as UK television’s longest-serving quizmaster.
Rajan has been the BBC’s media editor since December 2016 and presenter of the Today program on BBC Radio 4 since May 2021.
He has also presented on BBC Radio 2 and The One Show and was formerly editor of The Independent newspaper.
Rajan says: I have watched the University Challenge obsessively for years. Fall in love with its high standards, glorious title music, and inspirational contestants.
“This is the best antidote to the cynicism of the young, and the millions of us who test our wits against the new generation’s best minds, annoy and impress our families by barking the answers from our couches.” You can give
“I think the late great Bamber [Gascoigne], and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have a huge shoe to fill. With his immense intelligence, authority, and respect from students and audiences alike, Jeremy hands the format and show as strong as ever.
“Today I cannot help but think of my late and beloved father, whose dedication to education brought him to England. I absorbed it in my early years, and my belief in the noble challenges of college shaped my life.
📢 Amol Rajan announced as host of new University Challenge
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/EkzHrsLqWi pic.twitter.com/vGvSFXndHG— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) August 18, 2022
“I dedicate my first $10 starter to him, and to the millions of quiz freaks out there who, like me, love the rare opportunity to know the answer before their students do. ”
Rajan, who will step down as media editor for BBC News later this year, will begin filming early next year and will appear on screen from autumn 2023.
According to the BBC’s 2021/22 annual report, Rajan’s salary is £325,000 (€385,000) and he is expected to earn more as the organizer of the University Challenge.
He will continue to be a presenter on the Today program, as well as the Amol Rajan Interviews show.
This year, the University Challenge celebrates its 60th anniversary.
