Jeremy Dickson Paxman (born 11 May 1950) is an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He has worked for the BBC since 1972 and is known for his forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians. His regular appearances on the BBC Two's Newsnight programme were sometimes criticised as aggressive, intimidating and condescending, yet also applauded as tough and incisive. He is the question master of University Challenge, succeeding Bamber Gascoigne when the programme was revived in 1994.