Sandi Toksvig

QI Host, Great British Bake Off Co-Presenter, Award-Winning Broadcaster & Women’s Equality Campaigner

Sandi Toksvig’s Biography:

Sandi Toksvig is celebrated for her versatility as a broadcaster, comedian, writer and presenter, and is widely sought after as a speaker for her sharp wit, intellectual range and commitment to social progress. Known for taking over as host of QI in 2016 and for co-presenting The Great British Bake Off from 2017 to 2020, Sandi brings authority, humour and insight to every stage she steps on. Her activism, particularly co-founding the Women’s Equality Party in 2015, has strengthened her reputation as a compelling and influential public voice.

Sandi’s career began at Girton College, Cambridge, where she received a first-class degree in archaeology and anthropology and started performing comedy. She wrote and performed in the first all-woman Footlights show and worked with the Cambridge University Light Entertainment Society. After graduation, she entered radio by writing for Three Plus One in 1982, before moving into children’s television with series such as No. 73, The Saturday Starship and Gilbert’s Fridge. Her television and radio presence then broadened significantly, leading to a decade hosting The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and regular appearances on panel shows including Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week.

Throughout her career, Sandi has earned numerous honours, including an OBE in 2014, multiple Voice of the Listener & Viewer Awards and recognition for her political satire and broadcasting excellence. A prolific author, she has written more than twenty books for adults and children, contributed regular columns to Good Housekeeping, The Lady and the Sunday Telegraph, and written plays such as Bully Boy and Silver Lining. She has also narrated theatre productions, appeared in audio drama and undertaken high-profile guest interviews.

Additional projects highlight Sandi’s continuing creative range and her ability to adapt across genres and formats. She has fronted major travel and factual series, including Extraordinary Escapes, in which she explored remarkable hideaways with prominent guests, and has continued presenting innovative television such as The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge and later Sandi’s Great British Woodland Restoration. Beyond broadcasting, she has appeared on international podcasts, performed with the London Gay Men’s Chorus and delivered acclaimed stage work as both a narrator and performer. She has also embraced digital media, launching her 2020 YouTube series Vox Tox, which showcased her trademark blend of humour, clarity and social insight. Her sustained presence across stage, screen, print and online platforms demonstrates not only her creative versatility but also her enduring cultural influence.

Why Hire Sandi Toksvig?

Sandi is hired for her exceptional ability to blend sharp observational humour with clear, thoughtful communication that resonates across audiences. Her extensive broadcasting background equips her to handle complex subjects with warmth, intelligence and impeccable timing. Alongside her major television and radio work, she has delivered influential keynote sessions, including her acclaimed TED Talk, “A Political Party for Women’s Equality“, which explores gender equity and civic engagement with clarity and conviction. As a seasoned presenter and respected public commentator, she brings authority and relatability to every engagement, ensuring audiences leave informed, entertained and genuinely inspired.

Sandi Toksvig’s Career Highlights:

Below showcases Sandi Toksvig’s inspirational career throughout television and more:

• 2025 – Presented Sandi’s Great British Woodland Restoration, leading a conservation-focused documentary series.
• 2022 – Presented Channel 4’s The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge, guiding participants through miniature creative projects.
• 2021 – Fronted Extraordinary Escapes on Channel 4, exploring unique retreats with well-known guests.
• 2020 – Created and performed Vox Tox, a humorous YouTube mini-series addressing global and social issues.
• 2017 – Appointed co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off, helping to relaunch the show’s format on Channel 4.
• 2016 – Became host of QI, the first woman to present a major British television comedy panel show.
• 2015 – Co-founded the Women’s Equality Party, establishing a new political platform for gender equality.
• 2012 – Presented the Channel 4 daytime knowledge series 1001 Things You Should Know.
• 2009 – Received the Voice of the Listener & Viewer Award for Individual Contribution to Radio for her broadcasting achievements.
• 2008 – Awarded Stonewall’s Broadcaster of the Year for her influence and visibility in media.