Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stephen Fry quits QI: His best moments on the comedy quiz show

'Posh biscuits are those that are cooked for you by your pastry chef'

Jack Shepherd
Wednesday 14 October 2015 09:19 EDT
Comments
Stephen Fry presenting the comedy show QI
Stephen Fry presenting the comedy show QI (BBc)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stephen Fry has announced his departure from the BBC comedy quiz show QI after 13 years as presenter.

While his replacement - Sandi Toksvig - may be a stellar choice, that doesn’t mean we won’t miss his wit and charm on the show.

To celebrate, we’ve collected some of Fry’s best moments. Obviously there are hundreds more, so feel free to post your favourites in the comments.

"They say of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is…"

A classic QI moment, Bill Bailey and Jimmy Carr spontaneously start singing the line “They say of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is”, leaving to Fry, and the audience, in hysterics.

“Makes you proud to be British”

Many of his best moments come from his anecdotes. This one on Churchill is short but very funny.

Posh biscuits

“Posh biscuits are those that are cooked for you by your pastry chef”

“You’re saying I have more ancestors than people there have ever been”

QI is, after all, a quiz show. What would a list of his best moments be without at least one ‘mind-blowing’ fact?

Ballon-popping facts

He really doesn't understand the Newcastle accent

Phil Jupitus puts on Newcastle accent and says: “Ferns, they make a canny noise like.” Fry completely misunderstands, thinking he is referring to a female’s ‘pudenda’.

But his Scottish accent isn’t half bad

Fry has also tried his hand at accents numerous times, going all out in this clip where he attempts to put on multiple Scottish accents.

“In Alan's world, knowing something is freakish and weird…”

Of course, many of Fry’s best moments have come from his disagreements with permanent panelist Davies. This is a particularly big put down.

“You w**ker”

Another classic moment, in which Fry takes offence to Davies comments on Ben Hur.

"What kind of a hellish quiz is this?”

As much as he can dish it out, he’s never been one not to laugh at himself.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in