Stephen Fry is to step down as the host of 'QI'.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry

The 58-year-old TV personality has been presenting the BBC quiz show since 2003 but felt it was "time to move on" from the programme, with Sandi Toksvig taking over the role.

He said: "For 13 years I had one of the best jobs on television. 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.

"In front of the camera generations of lively minds and above all of course the wonder of nature that is [team captain] Alan Davies."

Stephen has been replaced by the Danish comedienne, who's admitted she has "huge shoes to fill".

Sandi wrote on Twitter: "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 (sic)."

Meanwhile, the show's creator John Lloyd said Stephen's departure marked the "end of an era".

He said: "Though we are all very sad he's decided to move on, I am confident that we have found the perfect person to occupy his gigantic shoes.

"Sandi will be the first female host of a mainstream comedy panel show on British television - an appointment that is well overdue."

Stephen's final series on the show begins this month and will feature an impressive list of guests, including Jeremy Clarkson, Sue Perkins and Noel Fielding.