Jeremy Paxman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeremy Paxman
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Paxman in May 2014
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Jeremy Dickson Paxman
11 May 1950 Leeds, England
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| Education | Malvern College |
| Alma mater | St Catharine's College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, journalist, author |
| Years active | 1972–2023 |
| Employer | BBC (former), Channel 4 (former) |
| Known for | Former Newsnight presenter and former quizmaster of University Challenge |
| Television | Newsnight (1989–2014) University Challenge (1994–2023) Christmas University Challenge (2011–2022) |
| Partner(s) | Elizabeth Ann Clough (1981–2016) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Giles Paxman (brother) |
Jeremy Dickson Paxman (born 11 May 1950) is a well-known English broadcaster, journalist, and author. He was born in Yorkshire. He is famous for hosting the TV news programme Newsnight and the quiz show University Challenge.
Paxman joined the BBC in 1972. He worked on many shows before becoming a presenter for Newsnight in 1989. He was known for asking tough questions, especially to politicians. He left Newsnight in 2014 after 25 years. He also hosted University Challenge from 1994 until 2023. In 2022, he shared that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
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Early Life and Education
Jeremy Paxman was born in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire. His father, Arthur Keith Paxman, worked for a steel company. His mother was Joan McKay. Jeremy is the oldest of four children. His brother, Giles Paxman, was a British ambassador. His other brother, James, works for a conservation group. His sister, Jenny, is a producer at BBC Radio.
Paxman grew up in different places, including Hampshire and Worcestershire. He went to Malvern College in 1964. Later, he studied English at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he was the editor of the student newspaper, Varsity. He was also briefly a member of a student political club.
In 2006, Paxman was featured on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?. This show helps people learn about their family history. He found out he was related to a 14th-century politician.
Journalism Career
Paxman started his career at the BBC in 1972. He began in local radio at BBC Radio Brighton. He then moved to Belfast to report on important events there. In 1977, he moved to London.
He worked on programmes like Tonight and Panorama. He reported from many places around the world, including Beirut and Uganda. After that, he read the Six O'Clock News for two years. He then moved to the morning show Breakfast Time.
Hosting Newsnight
Paxman became a presenter for Newsnight in 1989. This show is known for its in-depth news and interviews. He became famous for his direct and challenging interview style. He often asked politicians tough questions.
One famous interview was in 1997 with Michael Howard, a former government minister. Paxman asked him the same question many times. This interview became very well-known.
In 2003, Paxman interviewed Prime Minister Tony Blair about the invasion of Iraq. He asked Blair if he prayed with U.S. President George W. Bush. Blair said no, and Paxman asked, "But why not?"
During the 2005 general election, some people thought Paxman's questions to party leaders were too aggressive. He interviewed George Galloway after he won an election. Paxman asked if Galloway was proud of removing "one of the very few black women in Parliament."
In 2012, Paxman interviewed comedian Russell Brand about his political views. Brand said that voting was "futile." This interview became very popular online.
The BBC announced that Paxman would leave Newsnight in April 2014. He had been a presenter for 25 years. He said he wanted to go to bed at the same time as most people. His last Newsnight show was on 18 June 2014. It included interviews and a funny weather forecast at the end.
Other TV Work
Paxman has hosted other TV shows besides Newsnight. From 1994 to 2023, he was the quizmaster for University Challenge. This made him the longest-serving quizmaster on British TV. In October 2022, a TV show called Paxman: Putting Up With Parkinson's showed how his illness affected him. He recorded his final University Challenge episode on 15 October 2022, which aired on 29 May 2023.
He also presented documentaries. In 2009, he hosted The Victorians, which explored art and culture from the Victorian era. In 2012, he presented Empire, which looked at the history of the British Empire. In 2014, he presented Britain's Great War.
Paxman also co-hosted election programmes. In 2015, he interviewed Prime Minister David Cameron and Opposition Leader Ed Miliband. He did a similar show in 2017, interviewing Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May.
Books by Jeremy Paxman
Jeremy Paxman is also a successful author. His first book, A Higher Form of Killing (1982), was about biological and chemical warfare. In 1985, he published Through the Volcanoes: A Central American Journey, about his travels.
His book Friends in High Places: Who Runs Britain? (1991) explored powerful people in Britain. In 1999, he published The English: A Portrait of a People. The Political Animal: An Anatomy (2003) looked at how politicians think and work.
In 2006, he published On Royalty, which discussed the British royal family. His history book, The Victorians: Britain through the Paintings of the Age (2009), went along with his BBC documentary series. His book Empire: What Ruling the World Did to the British studied the British Empire.
Paxman's memoir, A Life in Questions, was published in 2016.
Radio and Podcasts
Paxman presented the BBC Radio 4 show Start the Week from 1998 to 2002.
Since March 2023, Paxman has been part of a podcast called 'Movers and Shakers'. This podcast is about living with Parkinson's disease. He and other presenters discuss their experiences with the condition. In March 2024, 'Movers and Shakers' won the 'UK Podcast of the Year' award.
Jeremy Paxman and the BBC
Paxman has sometimes spoken out about the BBC. He has talked about how important it is for TV and radio to question the government. He believes this helps democracy.
In November 2012, Paxman defended George Entwistle, a former BBC director-general. Entwistle had resigned after a false news report. Paxman said Entwistle was let down by "cowards and incompetents."
In August 2013, Paxman appeared on Newsnight with a beard. He joked that the BBC had a dislike for beards.
Awards and Recognition
Jeremy Paxman has received many awards for his work.
- In 1996, he won the BAFTA Richard Dimbleby Award for being an "outstanding presenter."
- In 1998, he won the Royal Television Society's Interviewer of the Year Award.
- He won another Richard Dimbleby Award in 2000.
- In total, he has won five Royal Television Society awards.
He has also received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Leeds and the Open University. He is an Honorary Fellow of his old college, St Catharine's College, Cambridge. In 2016, he received an honorary degree from the University of Exeter.
Personal Life
Jeremy Paxman used to live with TV producer Elizabeth Clough. They have three children together. They separated in 2016 after 35 years. He prefers to keep his personal life private. He lives in Kensington, London.
Paxman supports Leeds United, a football team. He enjoys fly fishing and is involved with a conservation charity called the Wild Trout Trust. He also supports charities like Sustrans and Caritas Anchor House, which helps homeless people.
In his younger days, Paxman considered himself a socialist. He even stood as a communist candidate in his school elections. More recently, he has described himself as a "one-nation conservative." He believes that the world is not simple and that there isn't one easy answer to problems.
In June 2014, Paxman joked that Newsnight was made by "idealistic 13-year-olds." He said that when you are young, you want to change the world, but as you get older, you realize it's about managing things for the best.
In 2019, Paxman said he voted to remain in the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum. However, he believes the result of the vote must be respected.
In October 2000, a German Enigma machine (a famous code-making device) that was stolen from a museum was mysteriously sent to him in the mail. He returned it to the museum.
Paxman has spoken about his experience with depression. He takes medication and has had therapy. He says walking his dog, Derek, helps him.
In September 2021, Paxman shared his support for Scottish independence. He said that if there is another vote, English people should also be allowed to vote.
In May 2021, Paxman announced he was receiving treatment for Parkinson's disease. He described his symptoms as mild. In October 2022, an ITV documentary showed how the disease has affected him. He met Sharon Osbourne, whose husband also has Parkinson's, to discuss the role of family support. In April 2024, Paxman delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street about NHS treatment for Parkinson's patients.
