Mastermind new host confirmed as BBC News presenter Clive Myrie

John Humphrys has been the face of the long-running quiz show for an esteemed 18-year run, but announced plans to part ways with the production back in February.

His final appearance on the show will air next month, while Myrie will get to work filming brand new episodes in July for broadcast later in the year.

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

Myrie has had an impressive career in journalism that has taken him all over the globe, serving as the BBC's correspondent in Asia, Africa, Washington, Paris and Brussels over the past two decades.

He is currently a regular presenter of BBC News at Ten and was named Television Journalist of the Year last month by the Royal Television Society, with praise for his "versatile, measured, compelling, relaxed but reassuring and empathetic" style.

All of the above attributes will no doubt come in handy as contestants take a seat in the dreaded black leather chair, which has become an iconic part of the show in its almost 50-year history.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Entertainment, 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."

Myrie has previously appeared outside of the newsroom setting on various BBC entertainment programmes, including Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie to You and Richard Osman's House of Games.

He will be the fifth presenter of Mastermind, following in the footsteps of not only Magnusson and Humphrys, but also Peter Snow and Clive Anderson, who fronted the show for shorter stints in the late '90s and early '00s.

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