BBC News presenter Clive Myrie is named as new host of Mastermind

BBC News presenter Clive Myrie has been named as the new host of Mastermind.

He will replace John Humphrys who is stepping down after 18 years in the role. 

Myrie, 56, will be the fifth host of the long-running BBC quiz show, which marks its 50th anniversary next year.

Mastermind started in 1972 and has since featured four presenters – Magnus Magnusson, Peter Snow, Clive Anderson and veteran journalist Humphrys.

Myrie will begin filming the new series in Belfast in July and the show will return to screens later this year.

Humphrys’ last episodes will be broadcast in April.

A regular presenter of BBC News At Six and Ten since 2010, Myrie has previously worked as the broadcaster’s correspondent in Asia, Africa, Washington, Paris and Brussels.

He said: ‘What a privilege it is to take on this new role. Mastermind with Magnus Magnusson formed the backdrop to my youth, and now to be at the helm is a dream come true. I’m excited and can’t wait to get stuck in.’

He has also appeared as a guest on hit BBC shows including Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You? and earlier this year won the RTS Award for TV journalist of the year.

Myrie’s appointment as the first black Mastermind host in the show’s 49-year history follows a massive diversity drive at the BBC.

In 2019, presenter June Sarpong was chosen by the corporation for the newly-created role of director of creative diversity in a bid to make the broadcaster ‘more inclusive’. 

BBC bosses hoped her appointment would make the broadcaster better reflect modern Britain and its audience. 

Kate Phillips, BBC director of entertainment, said: ‘Clive will be a superb host – witty, wise and with a wicked sense of humour, he’s a consummate interrogator who also understands the fear involved when facing a barrage of questions in the spotlight.’

Jimmy Mulville, of Hat Trick Productions, and David Young, of Hindsight Productions, said: ‘Clive was always at the top of our list to step into the host’s shoes and we couldn’t be more thrilled that he is going to lead us into a new era of this iconic show.’ 

Woman’s Hour host Emma Barnett was among those sending their congratulations.

She wrote on Twitter: ‘Huge congrats

matey – thrilled for you.’

Humphrys announced his departure in February in a column for the Daily Mail.

In a nod to the long-running quiz show’s catchphrase, he wrote: ‘I started 18 years ago – a very long time in the ephemeral world of showbiz.

‘Now, after more than 750 shows, it really is time to finish.’

Humphrys was a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme for more than 30 years until he stood down in 2019.

He hosted his final edition in September that year, with his interviewees including Tony Blair, Dame Edna Everage and David Cameron.

British journalist and presenter Magnus Magnusson was Mastermind’s first host, presenting the show from 1972 to 1997 on BBC1.

He coined the catchphrase ‘I’ve started so I’ll finish’, which Humphrys continued to use. 

Magnusson returned to host a celebrity special in  2002 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first ever Mastermind final.

It was this that sparked the main show returning to the BBC with John Humphrys as host.

Following Magnusson stepping down in 1997, the show was dropped by BBC1 and journalist Peter Snow hosted a radio version on BBC Radio 4. It ran between 1998 and 2000.

Then, in 2001, Mastermind moved to Discovery Channel and was hosted by Clive Anderson.

Commercials shortened the show’s running time – but it was the first time it went interactive.

Viewers could use the red button on their remote to play along in the general knowledge section.