University challenge

Why does everyone Want a “funny” host ?

It needs someone with gravitas I think. I’m still pondering.

I think someone with more gravitas than a comedian.

Elrel

I think someone with more gravitas than a comedian.

Absolutely

Sunak, or Truss?

or even Boris???

No, no more comedians.

Perhaps Mishal Hussein, Kate Silverton or Victoria Derbyshire, for example.

Clare Balding seems to be able to turn her hand to pretty much anything and I do like her

I used to like her, Maybee but she's everywhere at the moment and you can have too much of a good thing.

Alexander Armstrong? He must be sick of Pointless by now?

Brian Cox, Actor?

I'm another who thinks that Jo Brand would be good.

Naga Munchetty?

Susie Dent?

According to The Telegraph at 20:47, Amol Rajan is the front runner. However, the comments don’t back this up.

Way past time- maybe someone a trifle less condescending next time ? I used to like Bamber.

What is happening to world click to see the news 7r6.com/Gg2pYu

Another vote for Eddie Mair or Xander Armstrong but what about Jean Johansson or Fi Glover?

All suggestions to date, bar Dan Snow make me shudder at the thought, Stephen Fry and Richard Osman in particular.

Any one replacing Paxman, and before him Gascoigne have to, at least, give the impression that they can match the intellectual level and knowledge base of the contestants, better still actually be their equals. A comedian in their place would be particularly wrong.

Can’t comedians be intellectually able? Not all are clowns - some comedy requires a lot of intelligence and wit.

What about Tim Minchin?

If Alexander Armstrong wanted to be considered he would be in with a shout. He studied English at Cambridge so can put that on his CV.

How about the young lad who was in the winning team the other year, he has a TV show about maths for children.

I am wracking my brains to try and find his name something ending in man I think?

Monkman

I think the one you really mean is Bobby Seagull.

I think it needs a newsreader /serious documentary maker type of person, not a tv personality or quiz show host , nor someone who’s everywhere already like Clare Balding. If it’s Osman I won’t watch anymore

I agree Lucca, not someone who makes it all about themselves as so many presenters do these days. It doesn't necessarily mean someone stuffy in a grey suit (Michael Portillo is colourful!), but someone in control and who doesn't put the contestants down.

Esmay

I loathed Paxo .

I wonder if Alexander Armstrong or
Victoria Coren Mitchell could host it .

Yes, I think Victoria Coren Mitchell would be an excellent host (although I don’t like her) She is a very clever woman but doesn’t she know it. DH thinks she’s lovely.