Stephen Fry to leave QI

Stephen Fry is to step down as the host of QI.

The upcoming 13th series will be Fry’s last, with Sandi Toksvig taking over when the series returns for its 14th series. Fry has presented the BBC2 comedy quiz since it first aired in 2003.

Creator John Lloyd said: “Though we are all very sad he’s decided to move on, I am confident that we have found the perfect person to occupy his gigantic shoes. Sandi will be the first female host of a mainstream comedy panel show on British television – an appointment that is well overdue.’

Fry originally stepped in as host as a last-minute replacement for Michael Palin during the filming of the show’s pilot.

Fry said: “For 13 years I had one of the best jobs on television. Behind the camera squadrons of quite extraordinarily brilliant researchers, programme makers and uniquely curious (in both senses of the word) people making that job so much easier.

“After passing the alphabetical halfway mark I thought it time to move on, but I will never cease to be grateful to John Lloyd for devising QI and for everyone else for making it such fun”.

Toksvig, who has appeared numerous times as a panelist on the show, recently stepped down as the host of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz after 14 years.

Toksvig said: “QI is my favourite television programme, both to watch and to be on, so this is absolutely my dream job. (My Nordic background also makes me keen to spend time with the Elves).

“Stephen has been utterly brilliant with the first half of the alphabet. Now I look forward to picking up the baton, mixing my metaphors and sailing towards the Land of Nod (i.e.,. Z). Who knows what lies ahead? It should all be quite interesting.”