Being Bamber | Who was the first host of University Challenge?
9 Sep 2025Bamber Gascoigne (played with "polish and wit" by Stephen Ashfield), is the beating heart of musical Starter for Ten, guiding Brian through his coming-of-age story with a knowing eye and mischievous spirit.
But who was the real Bamber?
Bamber the quiz master
Arthur Bamber Gascoigne was an English broadcaster and author, and the original host of University Challenge, presenting the show for a quarter of a century from 1962 - 1987 when the original run ended.
His well-known catchphrases "I'll have to hurry you", "here's your starter for ten" and "fingers on buzzers" have become part of TV history.
Cultural tributes
Anarchic 80s sitcom The Young Ones paid tribute to Bamber Gascoigne in a 1984 episode entitled "Bambi" where Griff Rhys Jones played the role of Bamber.
In 1998, Gascoigne himself presented a parody titled Universe Challenge, based on the sci-fi comedy series Red Dwarf.
In 2009 the film version of Starter For Ten cast Mark Gatiss as Bamber, while the original stage musical of Starter for Ten in 2024 had Robert Portal originate the role.
University Challenge was revived in 1994 but Bamber didn't return to his iconic role. Instead handing the baton over to broadcaster Jeremy Paxman to cajole and terrify a new generation of student quizzers.
Bamber's life
Born in 1930, Bamber was from an illustrious political family. He is a direct descendent of Sir Crisp Gascoyne, an 18th-century Lord Mayor of London, and the Tory politicians Bamber Gascoyne (the elder) and Isaac Gascoyne.
Bamber originally wanted to be an actor, but found it tiresome to play the same part for more than a week, so instead turned to writing. He was a novelist, children's author and author of numerous popular history books, as well as a supporter of many cultural organisations including the National Trust, Tate Gallery, National Gallery and Royal Opera House.
He was married to his wife Christina for 57 years until his death in 2022 aged 87.
Bamber's Legacy
Bamber Gascoigne had a tremendous impact on television, and his ability to make complex knowledge accessible and enjoyable for viewers have kept him in the public consciousness ever since.
Host of Only Connect, Victoria Coren Mitchell praised him saying "no quiz show host has ever seemed more like they could answer all the questions themselves". Actor Mark Gatiss called him an "iconic figure" and Stephen Fry, who appeared on University Challenge himself in 1980 remembered him as an "elegant, intelligent man who was kind and warm to students".
