Buzzcocks to get guest presenters

Lamarr has been host for all 17 series of the pop music quiz

Never Mind the Buzzcocks presenter Mark Lamarr is to be replaced by guest hosts for the next series of the BBC Two pop music quiz show.

Lamarr has taken charge of 17 series since Buzzcocks' launch nine years ago.

TV celebrities and musicians are expected to step into Lamarr's shoes as he has a break while the first lot of 2006's shows are filmed in the Spring.

Producers Talkback Thames are following the example of Have I Got News for You, which has used guest hosts since 2002.

Its host Angus Deayton was dropped in the wake of a series of tabloid revelations about his private life.

'Little break'

Lamarr, who also is a presenter on BBC Radio 2 , made his name on Channel Four's Big Breakfast in 1992 after being spotted as a stand-up comedian.

He is set to return to Buzzcocks after the next series is complete.

"After nine years he just wanted to take a little break," said a spokeswoman at Talkback Thames.

Lamarr is joined by two regular team captains on the show - Phill Jupitus, who has been on board since the programme started - and Bill Bailey, who took over from comedian Sean Hughes in 2002.