Sandi Toksvig Biography

(Danish-British Author Best Known for Hosting 'The News Quiz' on 'BBC Radio 4')

Birthday: May 3, 1958 (Taurus)

Born In: Copenhagen, Denmark

Sandi Toksvig is a British–Danish actor, comedian, writer, TV anchor, and political activist. She has a multifaceted personality and has made significant achievements in various fields. She is best known as a comedian and a TV presenter. Toksvig started her career in comedy, while she attended university. Later, she entered the entertainment industry with the TV series ‘No. 73.’ She appeared in several other TV series, such as ‘The Saturday Starship’ and ‘Motormouth.’ Toksvig was active in comedy shows, too. She was part of the improvisational comedy team ‘The Comedy Store Players.’ Toksvig has had an exceptional career in radio. She was the host of ‘The News Quiz’ on ‘BBC Radio 4.’ Toksvig has authored several books. As a TV presenter, Toksvig has been part of shows such as ‘1001 Things You Should Know’ and ‘Fifteen to One.’ She was made the ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ in honor of her services to the broadcasting industry. Toksvig has an active political life. She was one of the founders of the ‘Women’s Equality Party.’ She is a strong supporter of homosexual marriages. Toksvig continues to be active in her various fields of work.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Sandra Birgitte Toksvig

Age: 66 Years, 66 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Debbie Toksvig (m. 2014), Peta Stewart (m. ?–1997)

father: Claus Toksvig

mother: Julie Anne Toksvig

siblings: Jenifer Toksvig, Nick Toksvig

children: Jessica Toksvig-Stewart, Megan Toksvig-Stewart, Theo Toksvig-Stewart

Born Country: Denmark

Comedians TV Presenters

political ideology: Women's Equality Party

Notable Alumni: Girton College, Cambridge

Ancestry: British Danish

City: Copenhagen, Denmark

More Facts

education: Girton College, Cambridge

  • 1

    Is Sandi Toksvig a member of any political party?

    Sandi Toksvig is a member of the Women's Equality Party.

  • 2

    Has Sandi Toksvig authored any books?

    Yes, Sandi Toksvig has authored several books, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's books.

  • 3

    What is Sandi Toksvig's stance on environmental issues?

    Sandi Toksvig is known for her environmental activism and support for sustainability initiatives.

  • 4

    Does Sandi Toksvig have any notable charity work?

    Sandi Toksvig is involved in various charitable activities, supporting causes related to gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and education.

  • 5

    Has Sandi Toksvig appeared in any popular TV shows besides hosting them?

    Yes, Sandi Toksvig has made guest appearances on various TV shows, including panel shows and sitcoms.

Childhood & Early Life
Sandi Toksvig was born Sandra Birgitte Toksvig, on May 3, 1958, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Claus Toksvig, was a Danish journalist and foreign correspondent. Her mother, Julie Anne Toksvig, was of British origin. Toksvig has an older brother, Nick, who works as a senior news editor for ‘Al Jazeera English.’ Her younger sister, Jennifer, is an author and lyricist.
Due to the nature her father’s job, Toksvig spent most of her childhood outside Denmark. She attended the ‘Tormead School’ in Guildford. Later, she attended the ‘Girton College’ of the ‘University of Cambridge.’ Toksvig studied law, archaeology, and anthropology. She was an excellent student and received prizes for her outstanding academic performances. She graduated with a first-class degree.
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Career
At the age of 18, Sandi Toksvig got her first job, as a followspot operator for the musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ While attending university, she made her entry into the field of comedy. She wrote and performed in the first all-women show at the ‘Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club.’ She was a member of the university’s ‘Light Entertainment Society.’
In 1979, Toksvig performed during the opening night of the comedy club ‘Comedy Store’ in London. She was part of the improvisational comedy group ‘The Comedy Store Players’ for a while. In 1982, Toksvig made her TV debut as a presenter of the children’s series ‘No. 73.’ She also presented other shows, such as ‘The Sandwich Quiz,’ ‘Motormouth,’ ‘The Saturday Starship,’ and ‘Gilbert’s Fridge.’
Toksvig was one of the panelists on the ‘BBC’ comedy show ‘Call My Bluff.’ It was one of the longest-running game shows on British TV. Toksvig was a regular on the show, as one of the team captains, from 1996 to 2003. She was also part of the shows ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?,’ ‘Mock the Week,’ and ‘Have I Got News For You.’ In 2008, Toksvig appeared as the presenter of the game show ‘What the Dickens.’
Toksvig was associated with ‘BBC Radio 4’ for a long time. Her voice was familiar to its regular listeners. She made recurring appearances on the comedy panel game shows ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ and ‘The Unbelievable Truth.’ She was the host of ‘The News Quiz’ from 2006 to 2015.
Toksvig has made her mark as an author, too. In 1993, she wrote the musical ‘Big Night Out at the Little Sands Picture Palace’ for the theater ‘Nottingham Playhouse.’ She co-wrote the TV series ‘The Big One’ with Elly Brewer. Toksvig starred in the series, too. She has also performed in stage plays such as ‘Androcles and the Lion’ and ‘The Comedy of Errors.’ In 1994, Toksvig published her book ‘Tales from the Norse’s Mouth,’ which was a fictional story for children. In 2003, she published the book ‘Gladys Reunited: A Personal American Journey.’ It was about her visit to the US to relive her childhood memories. Toksvig writes regular columns for the women’s magazines ‘Good Housekeeping’ and ‘The Lady.’ She also writes for ‘The Sunday Telegraph.’
In 2012, Toksvig appeared as the presenter of the British game show ‘1001 Things You Should Know.’ It was aired on ‘Channel 4.’ In 2014, she hosted the daytime game show ‘Fifteen to One,’ which was also telecast on ‘Channel 4.’ In 2016, Toksvig was selected as the host of the ‘BBC’ quiz show ‘QI.’ It was a comedy game and quiz show rolled into one. Toksvig replaced Stephen Fry as the host of the show. In 2017, she was chosen as one of the co-presenters of the baking competition show ‘The Great British Bake Off.’
In 2014, Sandi Toksvig received the honor of the ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’ for her contribution to the field of broadcasting. She has always maintained strong political affiliations. In the 1980s, she was part of the comedy tour that supported the ‘Labour Party.’ Later, she supported the ‘Liberal Democrats.’ In 2015, she chaired the first conference of the new political party named the ‘Women’s Equality Party.’ Toksvig and Catherine Mayer were the founders of the party.
Personal Life
Toksvig is a supporter of lesbian and homosexual marriages. She was in a same-sex relation with Peta Stewart. They have three children: two daughters, Megan and Jesse, and a son, Theo. They were conceived through artificial insemination. Christopher Lloyd-Pack was the donor. The children were carried by Stewart. Toksvig and Stewart separated in 1997.
Toksvig is currently married to psychotherapist Debbie Toksvig. They were in a civil partnership since 2007. In 2014, when same-sex marriages were legalized in England, the couple renewed their vows and converted their partnership into a marriage. They currently stay in a houseboat in Wandsworth.
Toksvig is an atheist and a humanist. She is a patron of the charitable organization ‘Humanists UK,’ which aims at living above religious and superstitious beliefs.
Facts About Sandi Toksvig

Sandi Toksvig is not only a well-known comedian and writer but also a successful novelist, having published several books for both children and adults.

In addition to her work in entertainment, Sandi Toksvig is also a dedicated activist, advocating for gender equality, LGBT rights, and environmental issues.

Sandi Toksvig is a talented baker and has even appeared on the popular baking show "The Great British Bake Off" as a contestant.

Despite her busy schedule, Sandi Toksvig finds time to pursue her passion for sailing and has participated in several sailing races and regattas.

Sandi Toksvig is a polyglot, fluent in several languages including Danish, English, and French, which adds to her charm and versatility as a performer.

See the events in life of Sandi Toksvig in Chronological Order

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URL
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