Stephen Fry is to give up hosting QI. The upcoming ‘M’series will be his last and he will be replaced by Sandi Toksvig.
Originally cast as a team captain opposite Alan Davies, Fry agreed to chair the show as a last minute replacement for Michael Palin ‘just for the pilot’. But, from the first few moments, it was clear that he was born for the role.
Fry has hosted more than 180 episodes of the much-loved panel show across four BBC channels – BBC4, BBC2, BBC1 and Dave, educating the nation by stealth and bringing a new kind of general knowledge – ‘General Ignorance’ – to a whole generation.
Stephen Fry comments: ‘For thirteen years I had one of the best jobs on television. Behind the camera squadrons of quite extraordinarily brilliant researchers, programme makers and uniquely curious (in both senses of the word) people making that job so much easier. In front of the camera generations of lively minds and above all of course the wonder of nature that is Alan Davies. After passing the alphabetical halfway mark I thought it time to move on, but I will never cease to be grateful to John Lloyd for devising QI and for everyone else for making it such fun.’
Stephen’s place will be taken by his old friend and university contemporary Sandi Toksvig OBE, the Danish-born writer, presenter, actor and comic, who stepped down earlier this year after a 10-year run as chair of The News Quiz. Alan Davies will continue as QI’s resident panellist and genial fall guy.
Toksvig says: ‘QI is my favourite television programme both to watch and to be on, so this is absolutely my dream job. (My Nordic background also makes me keen to spend time with the Elves). Stephen has been utterly brilliant with the first half of the alphabet. Now I look forward to picking up the baton, mixing my metaphors and sailing towards the Land of Nod (i.e. Z). Who knows what lies ahead? It should all be quite interesting.’
John Lloyd comments: ‘Stephen’s departure is the end of an era. It’s been a thoroughly delightful experience. After more than 40 years in broadcasting, QI has been by far the most enjoyable show it has been my privilege to produce, and Stephen has been its big, beating heart. Though we are all very sad he’s decided to move on, I am confident that we have found the perfect person to occupy his gigantic shoes. Sandi will be the first female host of a mainstream comedy panel show on British television – an appointment that is well overdue.’
The last series of QI starring Stephen Fry begins on BBC2 at 10pm on Friday 16th October. The star-studded panel includes Bill Bailey, Matt Lucas, Jo Brand, Romesh Ranganathan, Sheila Hancock, Jimmy Carr, Jeremy Clarkson, Sami Shah, Eddie Kadi, Sarah Millican, Sue Perkins, Noel Fielding, Sara Pascoe, Johnny Vegas, Julia Zemiro, Josh Widdicombe, Sara Cox, Rhod Gilbert, Phill Jupitus, David Mitchell, Lucy Porter, Ross Noble, Danny Bhoy, Aisling Bea, Susan Calman, Greg Davies, Chris Addison, Cariad Lloyd, James Acaster, Tommy Tiernan, Dermot O’Leary, Jenny Eclair and, of course, Sandi Toksvig.
