Sandi Toksvig quits Radio 4’s News Quiz
Sandi Toksvig has quit the popular Radio 4 comedy show, The News Quiz.
The out comedian has chaired the series – in which panellists give their input on regular stories of the week – since 2006, turning it into one of Radio 4’s most popular shows.
She said: “The News Quiz is one of the things I am proudest of in my professional life. From the beginning when I arrived as a rather nervous panellist almost a quarter of a century ago, I have always enjoyed it and was overwhelmed when asked to become host back in 2006.
“Now I have decided it is time to move on and of course, I feel sad but I think it’s the right moment. The show is in great shape and like a good house guest, you should always depart when people still wish you’d stay a bit longer.
“Radio 4 is family to me and I have no intention of disappearing entirely and who knows, maybe I can come back one day to The News Quiz as a guest and muck about a bit?”
The show was previously chaired by Simon Hoggart, who died in January last year. A replacement for Ms Toksvig has not yet been announced, but she will leave at the end of the upcoming series this summer.
She was last year awarded an OBE for Services to Broadcasting in the New Year’s Honours List.
Gwyneth Williams, Controller of BBC Radio 4, said: “Sandi is one of Radio 4’s most talented and respected presenters.
“She will be hugely missed from The News Quiz and I want to thank her for her contribution over so many years. She brought her own inimitable wit, humanity and intelligence to The News Quiz – and above all that irresistible laugh.
“The News Quiz is in excellent health; thank you, Sandi, for chairing it with such style.”
