We got our first peek of Amol Rajan taking over for Jeremy Paxman on University Challenge.
After Paxman, 72, revealed he was retiring after nearly three decades, the BBC’s media editor, 39, was officially named to succeed him last year.
The broadcaster, who has hosted the BBC programme since 1994, is the longest-tenured quizmaster on UK television.
‘I’ve had a joy presenting this amazing series for over 29 years,’ said Paxman, who received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in May 2021.
‘I’ve been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and to meet some of the swottier brains in the country.
‘It gives me hope for the future.’
As recording for the 61st season of the series began, we now have our first glimpse at Rajan’s University Challenge debut.
The University Challenge set has changed from the previous set, which was in effect from 2013 and had 1,736 competitors. In addition to a new host, this set has been “modernised” with adjustments.
When the show returns this summer, the new titles sequence for the season will be unveiled.
The compulsion to be in front of my television at 20.30 on Monday nights has caused me to rearrange my schedule for years, Rajan remarked.
‘University Challenge really is my favourite programme. And from their feedback and sheer numbers, our treasured audience has made very clear I am far from alone.’
‘Perhaps that’s no surprise given this is Britain’s longest running TV quiz, in a nation of quiz lovers.
‘While there is a new a set and presenter, everything else remains: the perfect title music; the peerless voice of Roger Tilling; the fiendish questions; and above all the remarkable students, some of whom come this year from universities competing for the first time.
‘What we’ve seen so far includes moments of huge tension, flashes of genius, and brilliant starters and bonuses that will have viewers joining in and shouting at their screens.’
“The competition is fierce, the questions are harder, and Amol has taken to the programme in an instant,” continued Pinki Chambers, BBC Commissioning Editor for Entertainment and Comedy. We’re going to have one of our finest series yet with this.
Rajan called the opportunity to host ‘dream come true territory’ when he was named as the next presenter in August, over a year before he would appear on our screens on the BBC One series.
‘I have watched University Challenge obsessively for years, addicted to its high standards, glorious title music, and inspirational contestants’, he said.
‘It’s the best possible antidote to cynicism about young people, allowing millions of us to test our wits against the best minds of a new generation, and annoy and impress our families by barking answers from the sofa.
He continued by saying that he was ‘aware’ of following in the footsteps of the late great Bamber Gascoigne, who passed away last year after a brief illness, and Paxman, who headed the programme for 28 years.
Aside from praising Paxman, he said that the former host would have enormous shoes to fill and that he will devote his first Starter for 10 to him.
University Challenge returns to BBC Two and iPlayer later this year.