‘They are big shoes to fill'

Clive Myrie on being the new host of TV’s most intimidating quiz

- STEVEN PERKINS

There’s a new face at the helm of Mastermind when the classic quiz show returns to BBC2 for its latest series this week. BBC newsreader and foreign correspondent Clive Myrie is following in the footsteps of Magnus Magnusson, Peter Snow, Clive Anderson and John Humphrys to become the show’s fifth host ahead of the iconic programme’s 50th anniversary next year.

Becoming quizmaster is a new direction for Clive, who turns 57 on 25 August. But during an exclusive video chat, he tells TV Times why this was too tempting an opportunity to resist…

Congratulations on becoming the new host of Mastermind! How did it feel when you were offered the role?

I was incredibly flattered and really chuffed! It’s a dream come true, considering that it’s a programme I watched growing up, under Mr Magnusson [who presented the show from 1972 to 1997], and, of course, it’s been in the brilliant hands of John Humphrys for the past 18 years. So there are some big shoes to fill, but I’m really looking forward to it.