Stephen Fry QUITS as QI Presenter; Replaced by Sandi Toksvig

I’m all heartbroken and up in my feelings about this! Stephen Fry, he of the brain the size of a house and the unending wit and charm will be leaving QI – the TV show that made me feel smarter just by watching it. Could this be true??

Sigh. The amazing presenter was only brought on as a last-minute replacement for Michael Palin who was unavailable to host at the time, but the QI elves were savvy enough to see that he was the perfect match for the role.

What started as an “Oh, alright then. I’ll do it!” way back in 2003 has now become one of the most watched shows on British TV – featuring not just comedians, but important, witty, and downright interesting guests in that time.

All good things must however come to an end, and this end comes next year after the M series (Viewers will know that each series, an alphabet is tackled). Fry had this to say about the role:

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.

All is not lost however, as it has been revealed that the very capable and hilariously funny Sandi Toksvig will be taking over from the maestro. This is possibly the only thing that could have consoled me, so I go manage am like that.

Describing the role as her ‘dream job’, Sandi said:

‘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.  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 (ie. Z).  Who knows what lies ahead? It should all be quite interesting.

Alan Davies, our favourite clown and classroom jester stays on as panellist, so really, all is not lost

I’m sad. I’m hurt. But I know that life must indeed continue. Thank you, Stephen, for bringing interesting, zany, and sometimes utterly useless facts into my life. And…whoop whoop, Sandi!