University Challenge: Amol Rajan announced as new host as Jeremy Paxman exits

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Amol Rajan has been announced as the new presenter of University Challenge. “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.” Rajan initially joined The Independent in August 2007. As well as referencing Bamber Gascoigne, the first University Challenge quizmaster, Rajan stated that he was conscious of taking over the mantle from Paxman. “I’ll devote my first Starter for 10 to him – and to the millions of quiz fiends who, like me, love those rare occasions when they know the answer before the students do.” Along with Rajan, others frontrunners for the role included Fiona Bruce, Sandi Toksvig, Richard Osman, Dara Ó Briain, Richard Ayoade and Alison Hammond.