Fringe 2014: Jeremy Paxman to host one-man show

Jeremy Paxman, presenter of the BBC's Newsnight programme. Picture: PAJeremy Paxman, presenter of the BBC's Newsnight programme. Picture: PA
Jeremy Paxman, presenter of the BBC's Newsnight programme. Picture: PA
NEWSNIGHT presenter Jeremy Paxman has promised to investigate “pogonophobia, underpants and the human condition” in a new one-man stage show debuting at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

The broadcaster’s show - entitled ‘Paxo’ - is set to run for a week at the Pleasance. Tickets for it, and a number of other shows in the 2014 Fringe programme, went on sale today.

The show is described as a chance to “quiz” the University Challenge host, known for his terse questioning and sharp wit. Notes on the show read: “The broadcaster, author and Spitting Image puppet probes pogonophobia, underpants and the human condition.

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“With surprises galore and your opportunity to quiz the grand inquisitor, Paxo unstuffs the man ranked by GQ Magazine as ‘Britain’s 26th rudest person’.”

Paxman accused the BBC of pogonophobia - a fear of beards - after he caused a stir last year by appearing on air with one.

Speaking last year, he said: “I have grown a beard for the last few summers, and suddenly wondered whether I really needed to shave it off to present Newsnight.

‘’Unless you’re lucky enough to be Uncle Albert on Only Fools And Horses, Demis Roussos or Abu Hamza, the BBC is generally as pogonophobic as the late-lamented Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha.”

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