John Humphrys is set to sign a new contract to continue presenting the BBC quiz show Mastermind, according to reports. The veteran broadcaster, who also hosts the Today programme, has been at the helm of the show since its return to BBC2 in 2003.
Humphrys is understood to have been offered a new deal to continue quizzing contestants in the infamous black chair. A BBC spokesman confirmed: “Mastermind has been recommissioned and John’s contract will be renewed in due course.”
In addition to the main show, Humphrys is also due to take part in another spin-off collaboration with Radio 1Xtra, following the success of a hip-hop version of Mastermind last year. That special featured Semtex, DJ Target, Lethal Bizzle and Amplify Dot, and aired on both iPlayer and Radio 1Xtra.
Kieron Collins, managing editor of BBC entertainment north, said: “We’re going to do another collaboration with Radio 1Xtra later this year. It’s another radio and iPlayer crossover, which will take John Humphrys and the Mastermind format and put it in a surprising environment.”
Collins praised Humphrys, noting that despite his initial caution about the hip-hop special, he was fascinated by the culture. “He knows nothing about hip-hop. By the end of it – it’s not going to be his music of choice – but he just loves to learn about things and he loves to have new experiences,” Collins added.
