Bamber Gascoigne, the former host of University Challenge, has died aged 87, as reported by Sky News.
The presenter, who was the original quizmaster on the BBC show from 1962 to 1987, died at home after a short illness.
In 2014, Gascoigne inherited a 14th century Surrey estate, West Horsley Place, from his aunt the Duchess of Roxburghe, where he later built an opera house.
Sussex must have been close to Bamber's heart.
Not only was our university the only stand-alone faculty to win University Challenge twice when B.G. was quizmaster (1967 and 1969), a team from Falmer also achieved what is said to be the lowest ever score of his era, 10 points, in 1971.
Bamber Gascoigne at the University Challenge set at Granada Studios. Photo credit: Sky News.
A statement from the Grange Park Opera said:
"TV presenter and author Bamber Gascoigne has today (8 February 2022) died at his home in Richmond after a short illness.
"The 87-year-old - famous for being the original host of BBC's University Challenge - had been married to his wife Christina, a potter, for five years."
Gascoigne was made a CBE in 2018 in the Queen's birthday honours, for services to the arts.
Comedian Paul Sinha, who is a member of The Chase team, shared his tribute, saying:
"It seems that Bamber Gascoigne has passed away.
"His effortless erudition, making whole swathes of impenetrable knowledge seem cheerfully accessible, was totally inspiring to this kid of the 80s. Sadly we may never see his like on our screens again."
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