Clive Myrie said he drew inspiration from the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth and Sammy Davis Jr when taking on his new role as Mastermind host, during the National Television Awards on Thursday.
The 56-year-old said that, having taken 'a leap of faith' from his long-time newsreader role, his recent TV presenting gig was 'outside his comfort zone', but he is 'getting [his] feet under the table slowly'.
When asked about his inspirations, he told MailOnline: 'Bruce Forsyth is amazing entertainer. I'm of a vintage to remember Sammy Davis Jr too. Big, big fan of his.
Talented: New Mastermind host Clive Myrie credited his presenting persona to Sir Bruce Forsyth and Sammy Davis Jr. during the NTAs after taking a 'leap of faith' from newsreading gig
'Most of the people I look up to are out there in the audience actually. This is a world I don't normally inhabit so to see that is amazing.
'The executive producer told me not to look at social media following the first episode of Mastermind. It’s addictive like a drug so I had to but it wasn’t too bad.
He went on to reveal his dream guests on the show include Hollywood legend Tom Cruise along with former president Barack Obama.
Clive presented the Quiz Game Show gong to Beat The Chasers during the star-studded event.
Hard at work: The BBC newsreader has become as the show's fifth presenter over its 50 year tenure, following John Humphrys' departure earlier this year
New territory: The broadcaster said that, having taken 'a leap of faith' from his long-time newsreader role, his recent TV presenting gig was 'outside his comfort zone'
The journalist recently made an energetic appearance on Good Morning Britain, where he claimed that stepping into Mastermind's iconic studio brought him more fear than dodging bullets from Saddam Hussein's army.
The BBC broadcaster, who has taken over the hot seat from veteran question-master John Humphrys, 78, is the show's fifth presenter over its 50 year tenure.
An elated Clive told Ranvir Singh and Richard Bacon: 'The thing about this studio it's light, it's bright, it's like being out in the fresh air, it's wonderful.'
He continued: 'You walk into the Mastermind studio and it is dark, it is black. You've got the four contenders on that side, you walk in and I sit down, and I'm like, 'I'm presenting Mastermind, I don't believe this. It's absolutely bizarre.'
'I genuinely was shaking': Clive said hosting Mastermind brought him greater fear than dodging bullets from Saddam Hussein's army in an appearance on Good Morning Britain
'Then you see the chair across the way and the music starts up and it's like, boom! I genuinely was shaking for the first one.'
Referencing his lengthy journalism career, which dates back to 1987, a surprised Ranvir said, 'You've been around the world reporting on so many things.'
Flapping his hands, Clive said: 'Listen, I'll be dodging bullets from Saddam Hussein's army and all kinds of stuff... but that was scary. Sitting in that studio, it really was.'
On the ground: Clive reporting from Yemen (stock photo)
Animated: Clive couldn't contain his excitement as he divulged into his 'bizarre' Mastermind filming experience
The University of Sussex alum previously told PA Media that he had been expecting an influx of racist abuse on social media following the announcement of his Mastermind gig.
'I got very little after the announcement, actually. Everything was positive, absolutely everything,' Clive, who has Jamaican parents said.
'This is not something that happens every day. Every now and again someone will send an email or send a letter or a card or whatever, making their racist views known.
'By and large, my days of getting angry are over. I'm way too long in the tooth for
