Bake Off star pays tribute after ex-quiz show host dies aged 84
Even if I had three feet, I’d never have filled his shoes Comedian Adam Hills, who took over the presenting role for Celebrity Fifteen to One.
TV’S SANDI Toksvig has praised the “lovely” and “consummate professional” presenter, William G Stewart, who has died aged 84.
The former Fifteen To One host – who was born in Habrough near Immingham – became a household name as he fronted the Channel 4 general knowledge quiz programme from 1988 until 2003.
Toksvig – currently best known for her role on The Great
British Bake Off – stepped into Stewart’s shoes when the show returned for a revamped series in 2014.
Following the news of his death on Thursday, she tweeted: “Sad news about William Gladstone Stewart. A lovely man, a consummate TV professional and of course, host of 15 to 1 (sic) long before I stepped up.”
Comedian Adam Hills, who has hosted the Celebrity
Fifteen To One series after its inception in 2013 also wished his predecessor a fond “farewell”.
In a light-hearted Twitter tribute, he wrote: “Farewell to William G Stewart. Even if I had three feet, I’d never have filled his shoes.”
Stewart, was a former Butlins redcoat who worked behind the camera for many years before becoming a familiar face on TV.
As well as his work in front of the camera, Stewart was also known for being the producer and director on game shows
The Price Is Right and Family Fortunes, and sitcom Bless This House, among others. Fellow TV personality and former Quizmania presenter Greg Scott described him as a creator of “huge standing and talent”.
Stewart became a regular face in British households in the late 1980s for hosting the popular Channel 4 general knowledge quiz programme, which he also produced.
He fronted the show, dubbed one of the toughest quizzes on TV, from its inception in 1988 until 2003.
He never meant to appear on the show and had originally hoped to lure Jonathan Ross as quizmaster, but took over after failing to find someone. He adopted the persona of a strict teacher, but his stern demeanour won over viewers.
In 1997 Stewart married his third wife Laura Calland, a voiceover artist for Fifteen To One.