Jeremy Paxman

Jeremy Paxman

Actor

Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK

Jeremy Dickson Paxman (born 11 May 1950) is an English broadcaster, journalist, and author. He is the question master of University Challenge, having succeeded Bamber Gascoigne when the programme was revived in 1994. Born in Leeds, Paxman was educated at Malvern College and St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he edited the undergraduate newspaper Varsity. At Cambridge, he was a member of a Labour Party club and described himself as a socialist, although in later life described himself as a one-nation conservative. He joined the BBC in 1972, initially at BBC Radio Brighton, although relocated to London in 1977. In coming years, he worked on Tonight and Panorama before becoming a newsreader for the BBC Six O'Clock News and later a presenter on Breakfast Time. In 1993, he became a presenter for the BBC Two programme Newsnight, during which he interviewed a wide number of political figures. Paxman is known for his forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians. These appearances were sometimes criticised as aggressive, intimidating and condescending, yet also applauded as tough and incisive. In 2014, Paxman left Newsnight after 25 years as its presenter. Since then, he has done occasional work for Channel 4 News.
Jeremy Dickson Paxman (born 11 May 1950) is an English broadcaster, journalist, and author. He is the question master of University Challenge, having succeeded Bamber Gascoigne when the programme was revived in 1994. Born in Leeds, Paxman was educated at Malvern College and St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he edited the undergraduate newspaper Varsity. At Cambridge, he was a member of a Labour Party club and described himself as a socialist, although in later life described himself as a one-nation conservative. He joined the BBC in 1972, initially at BBC Radio Brighton, although relocated to London in 1977. In coming years, he worked on Tonight and Panorama before becoming a newsreader for the BBC Six O'Clock News and later a presenter on Breakfast Time. In 1993, he became a presenter for the BBC Two programme Newsnight, during which he interviewed a wide number of political figures. Paxman is known for his forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians. These appearances were sometimes criticised as aggressive, intimidating and condescending, yet also applauded as tough and incisive. In 2014, Paxman left Newsnight after 25 years as its presenter. Since then, he has done occasional work for Channel 4 News.