Jeremy Paxman
Royal Television Society: Interview/Presenter of the Year 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2008
Jeremy Paxman was born in Yorkshire in 1950, educated at Malvern College in Worcestershire and received his degree (in English) from St Catharines College, Cambridge.
For three years in the mid-seventies, Jeremy Paxman was based in Northern Ireland, where he covered the Troubles for the BBC. In 1977, he joined the 'Tonight' programme, for which he was a roving reporter.
This was followed by five years as a reporter on 'Panorama', where assignments took him frequently to Africa, the Americas and the Middle East.
Since 1989 he has anchored Newsnight (nightly, BBC2). For several years, he also presented Start The Week on BBC Radio Four. He became chairman of University Challenge in 1994. He has written widely for newspapers and magazines. Documentaries include Who Do You think You Are? and Wilfred Owen: A Remembrance Tale.
He is currently filming a series on Victorian paintings, for transmission in spring 2009.
His books include A HIGHER FORM OF KILLING (with Robert Harris), THROUGH THE VOLCANOES: A CENTRAL AMERICAN JOURNEY; FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: WHO RUNS BRITAIN?; FISH, FISHING AND THE MEANING OF LIFE; and the best-sellers THE ENGLISH: A PORTRAIT OF A PEOPLE , THE POLITICAL ANIMAL: AN ANATOMY and ON ROYALTY .
His book on Victorian painting will be published in March 2009.
His charitable interests include homelessness, mental health and education. In his spare time, he goes fly-fishing.
Jeremy's awards include:
- Royal Television Society: Award for International Current Affairs, 1985
- Voice of the Listener & Viewer: Award for best contribution to Television, 1993 and 1997
- BAFTA: Richard Dimbleby Award, 1996 and 1999
- Royal Television Society: Interview/Presenter of the Year 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2008
- Broadcasting Press Guild: Award for best TV Performer in a non-acting role 1997
- Variety Club: Media Personality of the Year, 1999
