Stephen Fry is to step down as QI’s presenter after 180 episodes.
The openly gay presenter is quitting the show after 180 episodes over 13 years. The next series, M, will be star’s last. He said about his departure,
“For thirteen years I had one of the best jobs on television,
“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.’
He will be replaced by another out presenter Sandi Toksvig, who has just finished presenting a 10-year run on the BBC Radio 4 The News Quiz.
She said of her new position:
“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.”
Stephen Fry’s final QI series begins on Friday October 16.