Jeremy Paxman has said he is "baffled" by student claims he made "misogynistic and sexist" comments during filming of an episode of University Challenge last year.

The University of Reading Students' Union has voted not to take part in the BBC Two quiz show after previous team members complained about Mr Paxman's alleged comments.

The 66-year-old presenter said in an interview he thinks the "issue" stems from a conversation where he questioned the Reading team about their mascot, a Jeremy Paxman doll.

He explained: "There was a technical fault which meant we had to interrupt the recording, leaving all of us sitting at our desks in the studio while the problem was sorted out in the control gallery.

"In the conversation to fill the void I asked the Reading team about the mascot sitting on their desk.


Image: Paxman has worked as a TV presenter for the BBC since 1972

"One of them said it was a hand-knitted Jeremy Paxman doll. I asked the whole team whether they took it to bed with them."

Mr Paxman said the remarks were made "in a brightly lit studio, in front of all eight contestants, a full studio crew and an audience of several hundred spectators".

"Though no complaint was made at the time, this, apparently, is what has upset them," he added.

The students' union voted 120 to 105 in favour of adopting a policy of boycotting this year's quiz show.

Niall Hamilton, an education officer at Reading University, wrote on his blog: "In the most recent round of Change it! students voted to boycott BBC programme University Challenge.

"The response from ITV, the company that produces the famous quiz show, was that they would inform Paxman that he had offended a contestant. They did not issue a formal apology and they did not produce any consolation to the contestants.

"Misogyny and sexism are not about 'offending' contestants, but undermining and oppressing individuals due to their gender," he added.

University Challenge is an academic quiz show where teams of students from UK universities answer questions on all manner of subjects.

It is understood to be the first time a university students' union has ever boycotted the programme.

A spokesman for the university said it had only just learned of the issue.

He said: "The best way of combating prejudice and encouraging women to take part, is fronting up and entering a team, not avoiding the programme."

ITV Studios, which makes but does not air the show, was contacted for comment.