'Mastermind' legend Magnus Magnusson's daughter Sally wants a woman to take over as host.
Sally Magnusson
The Scottish broadcaster's Icelandic-born dad hosted the popular BBC quiz show for 25 years, and she has suggested a female presenter would be a great choice with John Humphrys stepping down after almost two decades.
Speaking to the Sebastian Shakespeare column in the Daily Mail newspaper, she said: "'Mastermind' thrives on the qualities that John and Magnus brought in their different ways - gravitas, kindness and a searching intellectual curiosity - but a woman would bring something new and fresh to the show."
However, she has ruled herself out of following in her father's footsteps.
She explained: "I’m not sure dynasties are always a good idea. But if the 'Mastermind' production team want to get hold of me, they know my number."
Humphrys himself has posed the idea of a female host as he wished his successor all the best.
He said: "When the present series comes to an end in March there will be someone else in the chair. I wish my successor well but I’m not sure I envy them, whoever ‘they’ may be. What are the odds on the first female?”
BBC presenter Samira Ahmed has been linked to the role, and 'The Chase' star Jenny Ryan - who appeared on 'Mastermind' back in 2003 - is one of her many supporters.
She told RadioTimes.com: "From a news broadcast background, I think [Times Radio presenter] Aasmah Mir would be great, as would Samira Ahmed – they both have a great balance of warmth and authority. [Journalist] Betsan Powys is already in charge on 'Mastermind Cymru', so she could easily step in.
“There are dozens of brilliant and well-qualified women I can think of off the top of my head – people who are not only great hosts but have a genuine passion for quizzing and knowledge. I think that’s what is the key to finding the right replacement.”