John Humphrys announces exit from Mastermind after 18 years as host

Broadcaster will leave quiz show in March

John Humphrys has announced he is leaving Mastermind after 18 years of hosting the programme. 

The broadcaster will host his final episode of the quiz show in March this year.

In his Daily Mail column, the 77-year-old revealed that he has decided to retire from his position as the host of the BBC Two series.

He added that he does not know who will take his place, stating: “I wish my successor well – but I’m not sure I envy them, whoever ‘they’ may be.” 

Humphrys took on hosting duties for Mastermind in 2003 and has since fronted over 700 episodes of the hit programme. 

Simon Calder accepts the winning trophy from John Humphrys (BBC)

The former On the Record presenter wrote that he relished the opportunity to “see the expression on [contestants'] faces when you tell them they’ve made it through to the next round”. 

The decision follows Humphrys’s departure from Radio 4 in 2019 after 32 years hosting the Today show.

Speaking with Times Radio last year, Humphrys was asked whether he had voted for Boris Johnson in the December election in 2019.

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“No I didn’t vote for Johnson,” he revealed. “I’ve not been a fan of Johnson. I can say that now, I couldn’t say that a year ago, could I?”

Previously, the BBC impartiality rules had impeded Humphrys from sharing his personal views on political issues.