CLIVE STARTED...
BBC NEWS PRESENTER MYRIE TAKES OVER MASTERMIND AHEAD OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY
BEEP, beep, beep, beep... Clive Myrie has started now that John Humphrys has finished with Mastermind.
Myrie, who was yesterday unveiled as the challenging quiz show’s latest host, will be getting himself ready for the interrogator’s desk before filming of the next series starts in July.
He replaces veteran BBC journalist Humphrys, who is stepping down after 18 years.
The 56-year-old BBC News presenter will be the fifth host of the BBC show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
Since starting in 1972, Mastermind has featured four question masters – Magnus Magnusson, Peter Snow, Clive Anderson and Humphrys, 77, whose final episodes are due to be shown next month.
‘What a privilege it is to take on this new role,’ Myrie said yesterday.
‘Mastermind with Magnus Magnusson formed the backdrop to my youth, and now to be at the helm is a dream come true. I’m excited and can’t wait to get stuck in.’
He has also appeared as a guest on hit BBC shows including Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You? and earlier this year won the Royal Television Society Award for TV journalist of the year.
Announcing his departure last month, Humphrys echoed Mastermind’s catchphrase when he said: ‘I started 18 years ago... now, after more than 750 shows, it really is time to finish.’
He presented BBC Radio 4’s Today programme for more than 30 years before standing down in 2019.
BBC entertainment director Kate Phillips said: ‘Clive will be a superb host – witty, wise and with a wicked sense of humour. He understands the fear involved when facing a barrage of questions in the spotlight.’