She's never heard Miles Jupp host it

Sandi Toksvig has admitted she hasn’t listened to The News Quiz since Miles Jupp took over.

The Danish-born comic – who is replacing Stephen Fry on QI – stepped down from Radio 4’s long-running topical programme last year.

But she says she misses it so much that she can’t bear to listen to the show without being on it.

‘I loved it. Absolutely loved it,’ she said. ‘I miss it.

‘I haven’t, to be honest, listened to the new incarnation because I can’t bear to – although I’m sure it’s brilliant as Miles is a lovely fellow.’

While appearing on Radio 4’s Chain Reaction, Toksvig was also asked by Victoria Coren Mitchell if there had been any nervousness about a woman hosting The News Quiz for the first time when she took over in 2006. The Danish comic replied: ‘Absolutely.

‘The first show went out on the Friday, repeated on the Saturday. And on the Monday I got a phone call from the producer, who said: "Good news Sand, no complaints!" Well, that’s OK then.’

’So weirdly I managed to be funny about the news and not have penis.  I don;know how that works, but it was fine. But yes, they were very nervous about it.’

Last year, Toksvig also revealed that she was turned down as the original host of Have I Got News For You in 1990 – just because she was a woman.

Two pilots were recorded, one with her and one with Angus Deayton, and she recalled: ‘I was told by the producers that they preferred my version, but the channel decided they couldn’t have a woman in charge.’

She added: ‘I would not have been caught with either prostitutes or cocaine, so… possibly I would have been a better bet in the long run.’

On Chain Reaction, Toksvig also spoke of the difficulties she faced after coming out, of her political campaigning for gender equality – and Daniel Craig challenging her to the ice bucket challenge.

• Chain Reaction with Victoria Coren Mitchell interviewing Sandi Toksvig airs tomorrow at 6.30pm.
 

Published: 15 Mar 2016