Bailey is an accomplished musician as well as a stand-up comic

Comedian Bill Bailey will be replaced by a series of guest captains when comedy quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks returns to BBC Two on 2 October.

Bailey is bowing out after "11 series selflessly, heroically and hilariously" leading one of the show's two teams, said its producer Talkback Thames.

Music producer Mark Ronson, X Factor host Dermot O'Leary and comic Jack Dee will be among those filling his shoes.

Host Simon Amstell and team captain Phill Jupitus will appear as normal.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks first aired on the BBC in 1996, with Mark Lamarr asking the questions and Jupitus and Sean Hughes answering them.

'Other commitments'

Bailey, an accomplished musician who is leaving the show due to unspecified "other commitments", took over from Hughes in 2002.

The comedy panel show made headlines last year when Ordinary Boys singer Samuel Preston walked out during recording.

The performer - who had taken exception to Amstell reading from an autobiography written by his then partner, Big Brother's Chantelle Houghton - was replaced by a member of the studio audience.





