NEWSNIGHT presenter Jeremy Paxman has laughed off the fuss caused by his beard - and may keep it.
The broadcaster raised eyebrows on Monday when he fronted the BBC2 current affairs show with facial hair.
Paxman, 63, said many at the BBC are pogonophobic - have a fear of beards.
He said: "I have grown a beard for the last few summers, and suddenly wondered whether I really needed to shave it off to present Newsnight.
"Unless you are lucky enough to be Uncle Albert on Only Fools And Horses, Demis Roussos or Abu Hamza, the BBC is generally as pogonophobic as the late-lamented Albanian dictator, Enver Hoxha. I may keep it or shave it off, but I think I'll make my own decision."
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