BBC star quits major news show to follow dream of ‘being Del Boy’
Amol Rajan is leaving Radio 4’s Today to focus on his ‘inner entrepreneur’ and launch his own company
Amol Rajan has quit the Today progamme(Image: PA)
Amol Rajan is to will step down from the Today programme later this year after five years on the Radio 4 breakfast show – and admits he “might be mad” to leave.
The TV journalist, who joined the BBC in 2016 as its first media editor, will continue to work for the BBC, presenting long-running quiz University Challenge plus his Radical with Amol Rajan podcast.
Amol, 42, has been part of Today’s presentation line-up since 2021. Explaining his departure, he said: “The pips have sounded, and it’s time to get my coat. Leaving Today might be mad. This team is the best of the best: consistently world class, and exceptionally well-led by Owenna Griffiths and Mohit Bakaya. I will always feel like I played in the editorial version of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, or Steve Waugh’s Australia.
“I genuinely couldn’t be prouder of Amol Rajan Interviews, which will stand the test of time. Travelling all around the world (or indeed Essex) to spend so much time with so many icons has been an unforgettable privilege.”
He said he was quitting to go and focus on starting his own media firm. “Twenty years after I first flirted with the idea, I’m extremely excited to jump into the Great Digital Narnia of the Creator Economy, and build my own company. I’ll still do Britain’s oldest TV quiz and most exciting podcast.
“But Del Boy was my hero growing up and it’s time to unleash my inner entrepreneur. I am very much not leaving the BBC, Britain’snoblest cultural institution, whose Reithian spirit is such a generous gift to the world in flux. It’s that world I’m heading for, and I’m excited.”
Owenna Griffiths, editor of Today, paid tribute to his efforts for the programme, which he joined in 2021. “Amol is an exceptional talent with a rare combination of intellectual dexterity, impressive breadth of interest and a brilliant sense of humour. Moreover – and perhaps, most importantly – he is a great team player who always champions the hard work of producers. It has been enormous fun working with him on Today and setting up Radical . He will be sorely missed.”
Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech and Controller of BBC Radio 4, added: “Amol has brought a distinctive intellectual energy and curiosity to Today that we will be really sad to lose. However, I’m pleased that he will still be a regular presence on Radio 4; Radical has rapidly become one of our most compelling podcasts, and I’m sure there will be many other Radio 4 projects down the line. In the meantime, I wish him well with this next exciting phase of his career.”
An announcement about Amol’s replacement on Today will be made in due course.
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