Original University Challenge host and Magdalene graduate Bamber Gascoigne has died at the age of 87.

The show presenter passed away at his home in London on Tuesday following a short illness.

Gascoigne hosted the iconic TV quiz show when it first aired between 1962-1987, with tributes pouring in from former contestants following the announcement of his death.

Stephen Fry, who competed in University Challenge in 1980 representing Queens’ described the host as “elegant” and “intelligent”. In his tweet Fry also said Gascoigne was “kind and warm to us students who sat nervously at those desks”.

Bobby Seagull, who appeared on University Challenge in 2017 representing Emmanuel College, described him in an interview for BBC News as “gentle” and “warm”.

Gascoigne matriculated at Magdalene in 1955 to read English. In 1996 he was made honorary fellow of the College.

The College wrote on Twitter: “It is with great sadness that the College has learnt of the death of our Honorary Fellow, Bamber Gascoigne, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Reportedly Gascoigne was so dedicated to hosting University Challenge that he would fact check questions and rewrite them if he thought they were poorly phrased.

Catchphrases that he coined, such as “fingers on buzzers” and “your starter for ten” have become a staple of the show, even after its revival in 1994.

During his time at Cambridge Gascoigne met his wife Christina. They were married for 55 years.