Comic stands down after four years

Miles Jupp is to step down as host of The News Quiz at the end of the current series.

The comic has chaired more than 80 episodes of the long-running Radio 4 comedy in the past four years, but his last show will be on Friday May 31.

No replacement has yet been announced,

Jupp, a father of five, said: ‘I have really enjoyed hosting The News Quiz and I count myself as extremely lucky to have had this opportunity. Although one or two of the news stories we’ve been discussing on the show remain unresolved, the time is right for me.

‘I would now really like to focus more on acting and writing, and stepping down from this job will give me the flexibility to do this while also spending more time at home with my enormous family. 

‘I’m very grateful to the production staff, panellists, writers, technicians and newsreaders who all make the show what it is, and also to the listeners who are enthusiastic, loyal and - based on those who I bump into on trains and so forth - extremely polite. Thank you all.’

Sioned Wiliam, commissioning editor for Radio 4 comedy added: ‘Miles has been a wonderful presenter, loved by panellists and audiences alike. I’d like to thank him for entertaining millions of Radio 4 listeners with his razor-sharp wit, warmth and intelligence – and not forgetting that irrepressible laugh. He has expertly continued the great success of The News Quiz and will be hugely missed.’

Jupp first appeared as a panellist on the show in 2009, when the programme was chaired by Sandi Toksvig.

Who has hosted The News Quiz?

1977-1979: Barry Norman
1979-1981: Barry Took
1981–1985: Simon Hoggart
1986–1995: Barry Took
1996–2006: Simon Hoggart 
2006–2015: Sandi Toksvig
2015-2019: Miles Jupp

Published: 15 May 2019