Jeremy Paxman health: Veteran presenter signs off from TV for last time as condition worsens
The iconic presenter has been a stalwart of Monday night television for nearly 30 years.
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Jeremy Paxman has signed off from TV for the final time, stepping back from his role as host of University Challenge.
Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in May 2021, the 73-year-old announced last year that he would be stepping down as frontman of the quiz show at the end of the 52nd series.
The former Newsnight presenter sat in the series hot seat ever since the BBC revived the quiz show in 1994, picking up the baton from Bamber Gascoigne, the series’ original host from 1962 who passed away in February 2022.
After nearly three decades at the helm, which made Paxman the longest serving current quizmaster on British TV, Paxman instead looks forward to watching from the comfort of home.
Jeremy Paxman at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards at the Royal Horse Guards Hotel in March 2023
Jonathan Brady/PA
Signing off in style for the final time earlier this week, Paxman said: “It remains for me to thank Jung Chang for presenting the trophy, all the teams who have entertained us over the past months, and you for watching.
“University Challenge returns later in the year and I look forward to watching it with you. So it’s goodnight for me. Goodnight.”
In the series finale, Durham University triumphed over Bristol University by 155 points to 120 to become 2022-2023 champions and receive the stainless steel book award from author Jung Chang.
Speaking on his condition last year, Paxman said: “The University Challenge people have been brilliant but I do think that I ought to stop doing it. I will be sad to give it up, but no-one is indispensable.
“It'll become obvious that there's something funny about me – and I mean unusual, not funny funny. So I don't want to spoil it for them.”
Big shoes to fill for incoming Amol Rajan
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Diagnosed in hospital after collapsing on a dog walk, Paxman has confessed that he suffers regular falls and admits it is “very hard to know you’re not going to get any better”.
Parkinson’s symptoms include involuntary tremors in body parts, slowness of movement, impaired coordination and muscle stiffness.
In relinquishing the role, Paxman passes the University Challenge torch onto journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan.
Discussing the new role last month, Rajan said: “I have spent years re-arranging Monday nights around the need to be in front of my television at 20.30. University Challenge really is my favourite programme.”
A young Jeremy Paxman on the airwaves
PA
The former editor of the Independent's accession is likely to cause some to revisit comments in which Rajan dismissed King Charles as “scientifically illiterate” and the late Prince Philip a “racist buffoon”.
Born in Leeds, Paxman started out as a BBC graduate trainee in 1972, cutting his teeth in local radio before earning his stripes reporting on the Troubles in Belfast.
Paxman spent time on the Tonight programme before transferring to Panorama programme following a move to London in 1977, while also appearing regularly on the Six O’Clock News and BBC One’s Breakfast Time.
In 1989, Paxman found fertile ground as a presenter of Newsnight, cementing his aura as a stern interviewer of high profile figures until June 2014.