Jeremy Paxman to write weekly column for the Financial Times

Former Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman is to write a weekly column for the FT Weekend.

Channel 4 revealed last month that Paxman is going to present its election night coverage next year.

Here's the press statement from the FT:

Jeremy Paxman, the celebrated television anchor and best-selling author, is joining the Financial Times as a contributing editor.

Paxman will write regularly for FT Weekend, focussing on long-form writing, diaries and Lunch with the FT interviews.

He will make his debut this weekend in the award-winning FT Magazine with an account of the mysterious death of Lord Kitchener, the war hero and British military commander in World War I.

FT editor Lionel Barber said: “I am delighted to welcome Jeremy into the FT family. He is a wonderful writer, an acerbic interviewer, and a charming luncheon companion. He will make a great addition to the long list of distinguished FT Weekend writers.

“This year we have invested significantly in the FT’s weekend edition with a new app and design, and we see growth in both print and digital subscriptions.”

Paxman said he was flattered to be joining the FT as a contributing editor: “At last someone takes me seriously.”