University Challenge’s original host Bamber Gascoigne dies at home after short illness aged 87
University Challenge’s original host Bamber Gascoigne dies at home aged 87 after short illness
Bamber Gascoigne, 87, passed away at his Richmond home after a short illness with family by his sideAs University Challenge host he was known as the ‘Friendly face of academia’ and checked all the questionsHe also sparked famous ‘Fingers on buzzers’ and ‘Your starter for 10’ catchphrases, which are still well-loved
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The original host of University Challenge Bamber Gascoigne – dubbed the ‘Friendly face of academia’ – has died today aged 87 after a short illness.
The TV presenter and author passed away at home in Richmond-upon-Thames, west London.
Famously his dedication to University Challenge was so strong he would fact-check all the questions – and even rewrite them if they read poorly – during his stint from 1962 to 1987.
When it was brought back to television in 1994 swapping from ITV to the BBC, he was so well-loved as the host he was offered the role again.
This time he turned it down due to his workload and other projects – and reportedly the thought of verifying all the questions again.
He is survived by his potter wife Christina, who he was devoted to and married to for more than 50 years.
Bamber Gascoigne sparked famous ‘Fingers on buzzers’ and ‘Your starter for 10’ catchphrases, which are still well-loved
Christina and Bamber Gascoigne ‘Grange Park Opera: Theatre in The Woods’ Opening Night, in West Horsley Place, Surrey
Former quiz host Bamber Gascoigne spotted out and about in South London in recent months in the last known picture
In recent years he inherited Grange Park Opera in Surrey from his aunt, the Duchess of Roxburghe, in 2014.
A statement from the opera said: “TV presenter and author Bamber Gascoigne has today 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 50 years
Gascoigne – known for his exuberant curly hair and glasses – was appointed CBE in June 2018, for services to the arts by the Queen.
Despite his age his death took many be surprise as they remembered his work.
All Creatures Great and Small star Samuel West – who is the son of Timothy West and Prunella Scales – paid his respects with an anecdote on one of his plays.
He said: ‘RIP Bamber Gascoigne. My parents were in a 1984 play of his at the Old Vic, BIG IN BRAZIL, directed by Mel Smith.
‘The critics didn’t care for it, but they had a great time. My mother, who was 52, particularly enjoyed playing a 36-year-old in Victorian underwear. As you would.’
The original host of University Challenge Bamber Gascoigne has died aged 87 after a short illness at his home in Richmond
Bamber Gascoigne was made a CBE by Queen Elizabeth, during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London
Alistair Little, John Simpson, Bamber Gasoigne, Stephen Fry and Charles Moore, appearing on Celebrity University Challenge
Members of the public and famous names posted on social media how saddened they were by his death today
The Chase quizzer Paul Sinha was also among immediate tributes made to the broadcasting legend.
He posted online: ‘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.’
His University Challenge career saw him spark some of the shows most iconic phases.
Gascoigne’s ‘Fingers on buzzers, ‘Your starter for 10’ and ‘I’ll have to hurry you’ have entered common parlance and are used to this day.
He reached huge crossover appeal after one of the episodes of anarchic comedy show The Young Ones was named after him: Bambi.
And he was even portrayed on film in the 2006 movie Starter for Ten by Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss.
Bamber Gascoigne and Stephen Fry at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in London on January 20, 2010
Presenter Bamber Gascoigne backstage at the National Television Awards held at O2 Arena on January 20, 2010
Comedian Griff Rhys Jones portrayed Bamber Gascoigne on an episode of The Young Ones, entitled Bambi after his surname
Paying tribute this morning one fan said: ‘That’s sad news. I hadn’t realised he was 87 : I must be getting old myself. Condolences to Bamber’s family.’
Another put: ‘Sad to hear of the passing of Bamber Gascoigne, to Me always remembered his connection to the Masquerade Book, as a Child nearly every Sunday dragged out by My Dad to look for the buried Golden Hare.’
One man wrote: ‘RIP Bamber Gascoigne Confused face legendary childhood University Challenge quizmaster.’
Sally Barton put: ‘Sorry to hear of the death of #BamberGascoigne He always seemed a gentle & intelligent man. Does anyone else have ‘Bamber’ as a first name?’
A man said on Twitter: ‘There goes another chunk of the landscape of my youth. Bamber Gascoigne has died.’
One TV producer said: ‘The famous two-tier shot of both teams has always been achieved by a split-screen video effect… Apart from one year – 1985 – when a REAL two-tier set was built. The year after, they reverted back to the split-screen effect. RIP Bamber.’
