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'Mastermind': John Humphrys to be replaced by Clive Myrie as host

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 21: BBC News presenter Clive Myrie at the Edinburgh TV Festival on August 21, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images)
Clive Myrie is to host Mastermind. (Ken Jack/Getty Images)

Mastermind has named its replacement for long-serving host John Humphrys: BBC journalist Clive Myrie.

Humphrys, who has sat in the BBC Two quiz show's famous leather chair for 18 years, announced in February that he planned to leave his role fronting the contest and that his final episode would air in April.

Now award-winning journalist Myrie has been named as his replacement and is set to begin filming in July ahead of his first series airing later this year.

John Humphrys is hosting his final series of Mastermind. (BBC/Hindsight/Hat Trick Productions Ltd/Kelvin Boyes)
John Humphrys is bowing out of Mastermind. (BBC/Hindsight/Hat Trick Productions Ltd/Kelvin Boyes)

Myrie is best known as the presenter of BBC News At Six and Ten, for his work as a foreign correspondent, and for fronting a series of acclaimed reports from hospitals about the coronavirus pandemic.

He was named best television journalist recently at the Royal Television Society Awards.

Myrie said: "What a privilege it is to take on this new role.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Newsreader Clive Myrie hosts the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) awards at the Park Plaza Westminster in London.
Myrie will be the quiz show's fifth host. (PA)

"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."

BBC entertainment director Kate Phillips 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."

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Myrie will be the fifth host of the show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

It has previously been presented by Magnus Magnusson, Peter Snow and Clive Anderson, with Humphrys taking over in 2003.

Watch: John Humphrys deems his paycut 'fair'