New University Challenge host Amol Rajan glimpses him in Jeremy Paxman’s chair for the first time

University Challenge’s first new presenter in nearly 30 years has given viewers a teasing glimpse of himself in the iconic quizmaster’s chair.

Amoj Rajan in suit and boots shared a fun trailer for the new series of the academic quiz, which will hit screens again on July 17, along with a tweet that says, ‘It’s happening!’.

The programme’s previous long-term presenter, Jeremy Paxman, 73, filmed his final episodes last year and the programme’s final series ended in May.

However, something was wrong with the teams competing in Rajan’s trailer; every contestant in the clip was him.

Rajan was a stylish figure in the trailer, wearing a bright red tie with matching pocket square and a sleek navy blue suit.

The BBC star’s love of jewelery was also evident; he wore a diamond stud earrings in his left ear alongside four rings and a gold watch.

The new role is a big promotion for the rising BBC star, as Paxman’s reign as the longest-serving current quizmaster on British TV officially comes to an end.

The 39-year-old has been the BBC’s media editor since December 2016 and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today program since May 2021. He has also appeared on BBC Radio 2 and The One Show.

Rajan vs Rajan! The presenter played each contestant and the quizmaster for the fun skit

When his appointment was announced last year, Rajan said: ‘Being asked to present my favorite TV show is a dream come true.

“I’ve obsessively watched University Challenge for years, addicted to its high standards, glorious title music, and inspiring contestants.

“It’s the best possible antidote to cynicism about young people, allowing millions of us to test our wits against the brightest minds of a new generation, and to annoy and impress our families by barking answers from the couch.”

The broadcaster became Britain’s youngest editor of a broadsheet newspaper when he took over from The Independent in 2013, but now the BBC’s media editor faces a whole new challenge as he gears up to host some of the brightest young minds of the land.

The BBC’s 2021/22 annual report revealed that he had a salary of £325,000 – £329,999 and is expected to be paid more as a host of University Challenge.

He has been married to Charlotte Faircloth since September 2013 and the couple have three children.

The broadcaster became the face of the revived University Challenge when it returned after a hiatus in 1994

Jeremy Paxman announced his departure from the show and later opened up about his Parkinson’s diagnosis in a newspaper interview later last year.

The presenter told The Sunday Times Magazine that he kept falling and hurting himself, ending up with cuts, bruises and black eyes and ‘blood everywhere’.

However, he admitted that at first he didn’t think he had Parkinson’s, thinking the disease only manifested itself through whole body vibration.

He explained: “I kept falling over, I blamed the dog running under my feet, but after the last time I went down, right on my face, it was a real mess – black eyes, cuts and blood everywhere – and I thought, ‘This isn’t right,’ he said.

The doctor said, “You have Parkinson’s.” It had never occurred to me. I thought, ‘Parkinson’s what?'” he added.

The host of the 2013 University Of Manchester team. Pictured from left to right: David Brice, Adam Barr, Richard Gilbert and Deborah Brown

Speaking of his diagnosis, Paxman said all people could do was “adjust,” but he admitted that he struggles with how unpredictable the disease is.

“Sometimes you feel awake, sometimes you feel asleep, and how you are today is no guide to how you will be tomorrow.

“It’s really annoying,” he said, adding that he felt tired most of the time.

‘Parkinson’s is incurable, so you’re stuck with it. And that is difficult. Very hard to know that you are not going to get better. You hope you do, but you don’t,” he added.