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Tag: Sandi Toksvig

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  • QI host Sandi Toksvig reveals huge pay gap between her and Stephen Fry

    QI host Sandi Toksvig reveals huge pay gap between her and Stephen Fry

    The first female host of QI has revealed a massive pay gap between her fee and that of the previous host Stephen Fry.

    CREDIT: (C) BBC – Photographer: ABIGAIL ZOE MARTIN

    Sandi Toksvig has revealed that she is paid just 40 percent of the fee that Stephen Fry commanded for her QI hosting gig. Speaking at the Women’s Equality Party conference, Sandi revealed that she puts up with the pay gap because she is the first female of the long-running BBC show.

    However, Sandi is paid the same amount as another male presenter, Alan Davies.

    Sandi, who is 60 this year, took over presenting QI from Stephen Fry in 2015.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    Speaking about the pay difference, she said, “I have recently discovered I get 40% of what Stephen used to get. And I get the same pay as (permanent panellist) Alan Davies, who is not the host.

    “I temper this with the fact that I love the show and I’m the first woman to host such a show.”

    Later, she added, “I love QI and the brilliant team who produce it. John Lloyd and the (production) team champion women on the show.”

    However, some fans of the show were quick to point out that the pay gap could be because of the stars’ respective profile. For instance on Twitter, Stephen Fry has over 12.8 million followers, while Sandi has just 157,000. However, Sandi is also now heading up the very high profile presenting job on Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off, which makes her one of TV’s most sought-after presenters.

    According to the BBC, producers Fremantle Media have made no comment on the difference.

     

  • 6 things you probably didn’t know about Sandi Toksvig

    Sandi Toksvig is one of the UK’s most visible, incredible, out and proud presenters and TV personalities.

    Is Sandi Toksvig lesbian?

    Is Sandi Toksvig married?

    Yes, Sandi is married to her partner Debbie Toksvig. They got married in 2014. They were civilly partnered in 2007 but converted their partnership into a marriage later on.  Sandi is a mother to three children, two daughters and a son. The children are from a previous relationship with Peta Stewart whom she separated from in 1997.

    Where was Sandi Toksvig born?

    Sandi was born in Copenhagen in Denmark. She was born in 1959 which makes her 59 in 2017. She moved to the UK in She was granted citizenship of the UK in 2013.

    What else is Sandi famous for?

    Apart from a slew of presenting jobs, being a renowned author and journalist – Sandi took over from Stephen Fry presenting QI and in 2015 helped co-found the Women’s Equality Party. She has also written extensively for children, having penned no less than 10 books for children. She’s also written at least 9 adult books.

    What was Sandi’s first job?

    Apparently, Sandi’s first job was as a follow spot operator for the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. She was 18. It wasn’t long before she wrote her first all-woman show and her writing career exploded into one of the most successful female authors in the world. Her first TV presenting job was for No. 73 – a kids’ TV show in the early to mid-80s.

    Famous friends?

    Sandi was at University at the same time as Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery and Emma Thompson. Plenty of A-listers in her Rolodex! She graduated with a First Class degree in  Law, archaeology and anthropology.

    When did she become an OBE?

    Sandi was made an OBE in the 2014 New Years Honours List.

  • Guess what starts tonight… GBBO – and we’re all over it

    Bake… Wake… ‘eaven’s sake…

    Great British Bake Off starts tonight and we’re getting all our eggs, flour and cookie cutting implements ready and in a row. So what do we know about the show that Channel 4 blew a lot of dough (sorry not sorry) on.

    Over the next 10 weeks, 12 of the best amateur bakers in Britain will whisk, knead, ice, beat and bake their way through classic British cakes, perfect patisserie, Italian delights, sticky caramel constructions and elaborate layered puddings.

    All Twelve will be hoping to impress with their skill, creativity, knowledge and passion and clinch the Bake off Crown.

    There are 30, yes 30 challenges!

    Each of the 30 new challenges have been carefully designed by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith to reveal just who is a star baker.

    Who is the talent?

    But it’s not just a new experience for the bakers. Also joining the tent for the first time are Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, who will be with the bakers every step of the way, ready with a pertinent pep talk, a helpful hand or just a sympathetic shoulder to cry on…

    Who are the bakers?

    Find out all about the bakers here.

    What time does it start and what channel?

    Great British Bake Off starts on the 29th August and carries on for 10 weeks on Channel 4 at 8 PM.

  • Sandi Toksvig to host Bake Off

    Broadcaster, comedian and author Sandi Toksvig is to make up part of the presenting team for Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off.

    Sandi Toksvig OBE will be joined by Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Paul Hollywood to present the first series of GBBO since its move from BBC to Channel 4.

    The out presenter said,

    “It is an extraordinary honour to part of this national treasure of a show. Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in show business. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh. The only down side is that he has much better dress sense that I do. I spend my daytimes on Channel 4 already so it will be a treat to be there in the evenings. I am so delighted to be working with Love Productions and Channel 4 on this best of British show.”

    Restaurateur, food writer and novelist Prue Leith will be joining Paul Hollywood as judge of The Great British Bake Off when it returns to screens later this year on Channel 4.

    ALSO READ:

    Alongside the expert judges will be presenter comedian and writer Sandi Toksvig OBE and comedian and actor Noel Fielding as well as the all-important twelve amateur bakers for the eighth series of the multi-award-winning show.

  • Stephen Fry To Step Down As QI Presenter

    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.

  • Sandi and Debbie Toksvig To Re-New Vows At Southbank Centre

    Ever since the legalisation of same-sex activity 47 years ago, gay men and women across England and Wales have been waiting for this day. Now on the 29th March 2014 – a day that thousands of gay men and women across England and Wales will never forget – is the arrival of gay marriage.

    I imagine that there will be thousands of celebrations throughout England and Wales from small hamlets to major cities to celebrate such an important legal milestone. Within London there will be many special events and the LGMC (London Gay Men’s Chorus) will be part of one at the Southbank Centre where you can expect camp classics and beautiful harmonies as well as innovative choreography.

    The LGMC will be performing at the Southbank Centre to celebrate the renewing of vows by Sandi and Debbie Toksvig. Sandi Toksvig has said ‘This is a joyous occasion which Debbie and I look forward to celebrating with old and new friends. It is a public statement of pride in our love and thanks to all those who have campaigned for equality over many years’. They will also be joined by The Fourth Choir, Sharon D Clarke and keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman on the Royal Festival Hall Organ. According to the Guardian, the event will kick-off the Southbank Centre’s Festival of Love, which will culminate in a mass wedding at the end of August.

    The tickets are free so check out the website here: Southbank Centre

    Do also check out this link for another very exciting Channel 4 event ‘Our Gay Wedding: The Musical’ at 10pm on Monday 31st March: You Tube