John Humphrys steps down from Mastermind after 18 years of hosting show
Journalist John Humphrys has announced that he will no longer be the host of BBC's quiz show Mastermind
John Humphrys has quit Mastermind after 18 years of hosting the show.
The star, 77, has decided to retire from his position as the host of the BBC Two television quiz show.
He has been at the centre of the quiz show since he took the hosting post in 2003 and fronted over 700 episodes.
The broadcaster will be departing from the much-loved quiz series in March this year.
John revealed that he would be passing on the reins of the show in his Daily Mail column and said he does not know who will be taking his place.
The star wrote: "I wish my successor well – but I’m not sure I envy them, whoever 'they' may be."
He added that his most treasured memories of his time on the series included meeting "ordinary, modest people leading ordinary lives who do it because they love it" and getting to "see the expression on their faces when you tell them they’ve made it through to the next round."
It comes after he stepped down from his Radio 4 hosting duties in 2019.
John stood down from presenting Radio 4's Today programme after 32 years on the show.
During his time on the airwaves, he interviewed several Prime Ministers and important political figures.
He joined in 1987 and quickly became a feared figure amongst politicians thanks to his intense interrogations.
Speaking about his departure, he said: "I love doing the programme. I have always enjoyed it. That's the problem. I should have gone years ago. Obviously, I should have gone years ago."
After he said goodbye to the role he admitted Margaret Thatcher was the PM who most impressed him during interviews.
He previously kept tight-lipped over his views due to BBC impartiality rules but spoke freely when he resigned.
During an interview with Times Radio in 2020, he was asked whether he had voted for the current PM last December.
“No, I didn’t vote for Johnson,” he said. “I’ve not been a fan of Johnson... I can say that now, I couldn’t say that a year ago, could I?
“I don’t trust him. Apart from anything else, I don’t trust him and you have to be able to trust politicians.”
The journalist claimed the PM was not “too good” at delivering on his promises.
He said: “There’s a lovely old Welsh expression, I’m not allowed to use it because this is public broadcasting, but he’s full of something; something and wind. He’s great at the bluster bit but he’s not too good when it comes to delivering.”
John said he could not see that the Conservative Party leader had “gained” from his upbringing and private school education.
“His background is, for somebody like me... a working class boy and all that, anathema,” he added.
“You know, he had all the benefits, all the advantages of going to the finest school in the world, if that’s what Eton really is... and a wonderful university, all the rest of it. I can’t quite see what he gained from all that. He’s not a man I hugely admire, let’s put it like that.”
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
