Stephen Fry quits QI

To be replaced by Sandi Toksvig

Stephen Fry is quitting QI after 12 years and more than 180 shows.

He will be replaced by Sandi Toksvig, who recently stepped down from Radio 4's News Quiz, saying she wanted to follow a career in politics. In taking over QI, Toksvig becomes the first female host of a mainstream comedy panel show on British TV.

In a statement, Fry said: 'For 13 years I had one of the best jobs on television. Behind the camera squadrons of quite extraordinarily brilliant researchers, programme-makers and uniquely curious (in both senses of the word) people making that job so much easier

'In front of the camera generations of lively minds and above all of course the wonder of nature that is Alan Davies. After passing the alphabetical halfway mark I thought it time to move on, but I will never cease to be grateful to John Lloyd for devising QI and for everyone else for making it such fun.'

Originally cast as a team captain opposite Alan Davies, Fry agreed to chair the show as a last-minute replacement for Michael Palin 'just for the pilot' - but then seemed perfect for the role.

He will step down at the end of the upcoming series, M, which is set to launch this Friday on BBC Two.

Toksvig, who campaigns for the Women's Equality Party, tweeted: 'And today's quite interesting news is that I've been announced as the new presenter of Qi. My dream telly job and I have huge shoes to fill.'

In a statement, she added: ' 'QI is my favourite television programme both to watch and to be on, so this is absolutely my dream job. (My Nordic background also makes me keen to spend time with the Elves).

'Stephen has been utterly brilliant with the first half of the alphabet. Now I look forward to picking up the baton, mixing my metaphors and sailing towards the Land of Nod (i.e.,. Z). Who knows what lies ahead? It should all be quite interesting.'

Fry and Toksvig have a long history: they studied together at university and own a production company, Sprout Pictures, together.

QI creator John Lloyd added:'Stephen's departure is the end of an era. It's been a thoroughly delightful experience. After more than 40 years in broadcasting, QI has been by far the most enjoyable show it has been my privilege to produce, and Stephen has been its big, beating heart.

'Though we are all very sad he's decided to move on, I am confident that we have found the perfect person to occupy his gigantic shoes. Sandi will be the first female host of a mainstream comedy panel show on British television – an appointment that is well overdue.'

And Mark Linsey, controller of BBC Entertainment Commissioning said: 'Stephen has masterfully presented QI for the past 13 years, and I am hugely grateful to him for doing such a wonderful job. I'd like to thank him and wish him well for his future endeavours. QI will be in very safe hands with a broadcaster of Sandi's calibre at the helm, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming her to the show.'

Earlier this year, Toksvig said she was turned down as the original host of Have I Got News For You because she is a woman, having recorded a pilot.

She stepped down as host of The News Quiz in June this year, to co-found her new political movement. At the time she said: 'I have made jokes over and over again about politics, and I've had enough. This election, I decided that instead of making jokes about politics, I need to take part in it, and therefore I can't make jokes and participate. I'm not giving up broadcasting. It's just, as a presenter, I can't be seen as overtly political, and I do find that restricting.'

Alan Davies will continue as QI's resident panellist.

Toksvig will appear as a guest in the forthcoming M series; on a roster that also includes: Bill Bailey, Matt Lucas, Jo Brand, Romesh Ranganathan, Sheila Hancock, Jimmy Carr, Jeremy Clarkson, Sami Shah, Eddie Kadi, Sarah Millican, Sue Perkins, Noel Fielding, Sara Pascoe, Johnny Vegas, Julia Zemiro, Josh Widdicombe , Sara Cox, Rhod Gilbert, Phill Jupitus, David Mitchell, Lucy Porter, Ross Noble, Danny Bhoy, Aisling Bea, Susan Calman, Greg Davies, Chris Addison, Cariad Lloyd, James Acaster, Tommy Tiernan, Dermot O'Leary and Jenny Eclair