Stephen Fry has decided to step down as the host of long-running and brilliantly 'difficult' BBC comedy quiz show QI.
The comedian and author has decided to leave after the upcoming 'M' season (each one is called after a letter of the English alphabet) and will be replaced by Sandi Toksvig.
"For 13 years I had one of the best jobs on television," said Fry. "Behind the camera squadrons of quite extraordinarily brilliant researchers, programme makers and uniquely curious (in both senses of the word) people making that job so much easier.
He also praised the show's permanent panelist Alan Davies who's also been with the show since it began in 2003.
"In front of the camera generations of lively minds and above all of course the wonder of nature that is Alan Davies."
He added, "After passing the alphabetical halfway mark I thought it time to move on, but I will never cease to be grateful to John Lloyd for devising QI and for everyone else for making it such fun."
Originally, Fry hosted the show's pilot as a last-minute replacement for Michael Palin, but took to the role instantly.
Alan Davies (L), Stephen Fry and (R) Sandi Toksvig
Toksvig left BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz earlier this year to set up the Women's Equality Party, but admitted that QI is her favourite show to watch and be on, describing the host role as her "dream job".
"Stephen has been utterly brilliant with the first half of the alphabet," she said.
"Now I look forward to picking up the baton, mixing my metaphors and sailing towards the Land of Nod. Who knows what lies ahead? It should all be quite interesting."
Fry's last run on QI begins on BBC Two on Friday, October 16 and will feature guests such as Dermot O'Leary, Sara Cox, Matt Lucas, Jeremy Clarkson, Sue Perkins and Noel Fielding.
Farewell then @stephenfry (from QI). You hugely ennobled the job of handing out imaginary points as a plot device to let funny people talk.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) October 14, 2015
And today's quite interesting news is that I've been announced as the new presenter of Qi. My dream telly job and I have huge shoes to fill
— Sandi Toksvig (@sanditoksvig) October 14, 2015
