Samira Ahmed is the favourite to replace John Humphrys as the new host of Mastermind, it was reported last night.
The BBC presenter, 52, would be the first woman to host the quiz show in its near 50-year history.
Veteran broadcaster Humphrys, 77, announced his surprise departure from Mastermind in Saturday’s Daily Mail.
Samira Ahmed, 52, would be the first woman to host the quiz show in its near 50-year history
He was question-master for 18 years and his final show will be next month.
Last year Miss Ahmed won an equal pay dispute against the BBC at an employment tribunal.
She claimed that she had been underpaid by £700,000 for presenting the feedback show Newswatch on the BBC News Channel compared with Jeremy Vine’s earnings for Points Of View on BBC1. After reaching a settlement, Miss Ahmed said: ‘I love working for the BBC. No woman wants to have to take action against their own employer.’