'University Challenge' host Jeremy Paxman reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis

The veteran British broadcaster says his symptoms are 'mild' and he is receiving 'excellent treatment'

Presenter Jeremy Paxman has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Getty Images

Veteran British broadcaster Jeremy Paxman has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The University Challenge host, 71, revealed the news on Friday, saying that his symptoms were currently "mild".

"I can confirm I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I am receiving excellent treatment and my symptoms are currently mild," he told the Press Association.

"I plan to continue broadcasting and writing for as long as they'll have me and have written about my diagnosis in more detail for the June issue of the marvellous Saga Magazine.

“I will not be making any further comment.”

Paxman is the longest-serving quiz master on UK television, having hosted University Challenge since 1994. However, his career in broadcast dates back to the 1970s, when he started out on the BBC's Tonight show, before moving on to investigative programme Panorama.

He spent more than 25 years as a presenter on Newsnight, interviewing some of the country's top political and cultural figures.

Paxman has also written several history books, as well as an autobiography, which was released in 2016.