QI star Stephen Fry is to host a version of American game show Jeopardy! for ITV.

The 20-part series will be based on the same premise as the NBC version, in which contestants use their general knowledge to win rounds and amass winnings. They must provide answers in the form of the question that identifies what the clue is describing.

Derek Hobson, Chris Donat, Steve Jones and Paul Ross have hosted previous UK remakes. Channel 4 aired series in the 1980s, with ITV broadcasting shows on weekday mornings in the 1990s after TV-am/GMTV. A Sky One series followed in the mid-1990s.

ITV says Fry will "bring a modern twist to the cult classic" in the new version, which will contain an extra round.

The host himself says: "In the United States, Jeopardy! is a phenomenon like no other. Whenever I'm in America, I do my damnedest to catch it every weekday. The idea of hosting it here in the UK makes me dizzy with delight. Such a dedicated quizzing nation as ours will, I hope, welcome this uniquely beguiling and endlessly rewarding game."

ITV Head of Entertainment Katie Rawcliffe adds: "There is no one better to host this classic game show than Stephen, bringing knowledge and entertainment to all of our viewers."

The 20-part series will air on ITV1 from this autumn.