Jeremy Vine says Eggheads will move to Channel 5 after 18 years at BBC

Host made the big announcement through a game of Hangman with viewers on The Jeremy Vine Show

Eggheads will move from BBC to Channel 5 for its 22nd series.

After 18 years on the BBC, the long-running game show is set to be broadcast on Channel 5 instead.

The shocking news was announced today (12 March). Host Jeremy Vine has been confirmed to continue presenting the programme.

Speaking on his self-titled series The Jeremy Vine Show, the television personality revealed the surprise to viewers through a game of Hangman.

People at home telephoned in to the show to offer up letters as part of the game, until the word “eggheads” was complete. Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley appeared on-screen to state: “Jeremy’s big announcement is that Eggheads is coming back.” 

READ MORE: Mash Report host Nish Kumar responds to news BBC is axing show over perceived ‘left-wing bias’

Vine then divulged the surprise reveal, saying: “The programme which I presented for more than 10 years, Eggheads, one of the greatest quizzes in the history of British TV, is moving to Channel 5 later this year.”

Judith Keppel, who has appeared on Eggheads since 2003, phoned in to the show via Zoom to share her excitement at the news. “‘I can’t tell you how lovely it will be to have something to do at last,” she said. 

Channel 5 commissioning editor Daniel Pearl added: “I’m delighted that Eggheads, one of the UK’s most loved quiz shows, has found a brand-new home on Channel 5. This is yet another step in the transformation of Channel 5 as it grows its audience rapidly.”  

Speaking about Egghead’s move, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We sometimes have to make difficult decisions in order to grow new shows and we would like to thank the Eggheads and host Jeremy Vine for their time on the BBC and wish them well with their next chapter.”

The news follows after BBC announced that it has cancelled Nish Kumar’s topical comedy news show The Mash Project. 

Kumar’s show became a subject of controversy concerning a perceived “left-wing bias” in BBC’s comedy output. A spokesperson for the BBC said it was axed in order to “make room for new comedy shows”.