After 13 wonderful years fronting the immensely popular QI, host Stephen Fry bowed out and now his long-time friend and fellow panellist Alan Davies has revealed budget cuts and a tight schedule caused the comedic favourite to call it a day.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has given up his QI hosting seat after 180 episodes

Davies explained the 59-year-old felt he could no longer continue with the show after 180 episodes due to the long working hours.

The Metro reported that BBC budgeting put pressure on the star until he eventually realised he no longer wanted to participate and decided to hang up his informational hat as the show landed on letter M of its alphabet theme.

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Speaking to the Daily Mail, Davies praised Fry and said: "For budget reasons, they ended up making him do three shows in 24 hours.

"Sometimes he’d go upstairs and have and vodka and tonic and a lie down the come back and say, ’I don’t want to do this’."

Alan added: "People have no idea just how good he was.

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"You see what a mess other shows are - how long they take to record and how the audience is in torment. Then you go to a QI recording with Stephen in the chair and the two hours fly by - there are no pauses, barely a fluff on the autocue.

"Up-tempo, funny and sharp."

Alan also praised the show’s new host, Sandy Toksvig and described the "good atmosphere" around the show.

He said: "I had a great time making the show - I was funny. I actually have a bit more room!"

The new series of QI is currently airing on BBC Two at 10pm every Friday.