Amol Rajan’s appointment as host of University Challenge is just the latest triumph for a journalist who went from a mic boy on The Wright Stuff to the UK’s youngest ever national broadsheet editor at the age of 29.
The 39-year-old has been named as the new host of BBC quiz show University Challenge, taking over from seasoned broadcaster Jeremy Paxman.
But the move has left some at the BBC ‘seething’, with colleagues complaining the former newspaper executive has been handed ‘every gig going’ since joining the corporation as its Media Editor.
Another leading industry figure added to Paul Revoir for The Mail+: ‘When somebody becomes flavour of the month and [the BBC] throws everything at them it is not always good for them.’
Rajan started life in Calcutta, India, where he was born to Hindu parents and lived in the country until the age of three, when the family moved to London.
He was raised in Tooting, south-west London, and, after attending Graveney School, took a gap year to work in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before going on to read English literature at Downing College, Cambridge.
After spending two years as a mic boy on Channel 5’s daytime talk show The Wright Stuff, Rajan joined The Independent newspaper in 2007.
During his time at the publication he held a number of roles, including news reporter, columnist, sports reporter and editor of the title’s comment section, Independent Voices.
Rajan was also a restaurant critic for The Independent on Sunday, leading to occasional guest appearances on BBC One cooking show MasterChef.
In 2013 he was promoted to editor of The Independent, which, at the age of 29, made him the youngest editor of a broadsheet title in Britain.
He remained in the role until the publication made the move to digital-only in February 2016, then becoming an editor-at-large before joining the BBC.
Rajan has previously been criticised over a number of comments he made about members of the royal family during his time at The Independent.
In a 2012 article about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee written for the newspaper, Rajan described the Duke of Edinburgh as a ‘racist buffoon’ and the Prince of Wales as ‘scientifically illiterate’.
The piece described the jubilee as ‘little more than the industrialisation of mediocrity’ and was also critical of the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.
Rajan also came under fire after he presented a controversial BBC documentary titled The Princes And The Press, which explored William and Harry’s relationship with the media.
The first episode of the programme, which aired in 2021, included suggestions that negative stories about the Duchess of Sussex were leaked by courtiers and there was a competitiveness between households.
An accompanying podcast, Harry, Meghan And The Media, also presented by Rajan, claimed that Meghan Markle co-operated with author Omid Scobie on the Finding Freedom biography and ‘apologised for misleading a court on this’.
BBC’s media editor Amol Rajan is replacing Jeremy Paxman as the host of University Challenge in the latest triumph in a stellar career
In 2021 Rajan joined Radio 4’s prestigious and long-running early-morning news and current-affairs show, the Today programme, as a presenter
Rajan said on the podcast: ‘It has since been revealed that Meghan Markle co-operated with him (Scobie) on the project. She’s apologised for misleading a court on this.’
The duchess subsequently made a formal complaint to the BBC about the claims.
In December 2021 Rajan apologised in a statement on Twitter for the comments he made in the 2012 article.
He wrote: ‘In reference to very reasonable questions about some foolish commentary from a former life, I want to say I deeply regret it.
‘I wrote things that were rude and immature and I look back on them now with real embarrassment, and ask myself what I was thinking, frankly.
‘I would like to say sorry for any offence they caused then or now.
‘I’m completely committed to impartiality and hope our recent programmes can be judged on their merits.’
Even before the controversial documentary aired the BBC faced a ‘bias’ row over selecting Rajan for the role, after it emerged he once called the idea of monarchy ‘absurd’.
He wrote: ‘When it comes to our absurd monarchy, journalists are so bamboozled by aristocratic wealth that they can only portray a confected picture to their audience.
‘Mrs Wales – spare us from the ‘Duchess of Cambridge’ – is a beautiful lady, and does noble work. But like the rest of us she is prone to bad moods and bad breath, and doesn’t look her best on a hangover.
‘You wouldn’t know that from media coverage of her. What you get is an idol, not a person. I have absolutely nothing against Prince Harry, or Prince William, or Catherine Middleton, or the Queen.
‘Other royals, particularly Prince Philip and the scientifically illiterate Prince Charles, who champions policies that would lead to the murder by starvation of millions of Africans, I dislike.’
Since joining the BBC, Rajan has provided holiday cover for a number of Radio 2 presenters, including Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine and Zoe Ball. He has also occasionally presented The One Show (pictured)
Rajan was also a restaurant critic for The Independent on Sunday, leading to occasional guest appearances on BBC One cooking show MasterChef
Rajan has also been involved in other controversies. Earlier this year his ‘world exclusive’ interview with tennis star Novak Djokovic faced criticism for airing the Serbian ace’s anti-vax views.
The tennis star discussed the chaos around the cancellation of his Australian visa ahead of the Australian Open in January due to his vaccination status.
But it was claimed at the time of the interview that insiders at the corporation were concerned by the interview, including Rajan’s apparent ‘chumminess’ with Djokovic.
The BBC said it received complaints from some viewers who felt the interview was given too much prominence and that it was ‘irresponsible’ to amplify his views on the vaccine.
However, responding to the complaints, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘The BBC’s exclusive interview is the first time Novak Djokovic has spoken about his position himself, and our news editors judged that the interview was of genuine significance and was of interest to our audience, particularly in light of what unfolded in the build-up of the Australian Open in January.
‘We appreciate that not everyone will agree with our choice of story running orders, but we consider that this has been a big ongoing news story which also encompasses key issues such as mandatory vaccination and international travel restrictions.
‘There are still many people who choose not to be vaccinated and we think it is important to hear from all sides of the discussion.
‘However the BBC has always made clear the scientific and medical consensus on vaccination and its effectiveness, and we have done so throughout our coverage of this story.’
Rajan was appointed the BBC’s media editor in November 2016 and officially assumed his role in December that year.
In 2017 he also became the host of The Media Show on Radio 4, taking over from Steve Hewlett, to examine the current state of the media each week.
Since joining the BBC, Rajan has provided holiday cover for a number of Radio 2 presenters, including Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine and Zoe Ball.
He has also occasionally presented The One Show.
In 2021 Rajan joined Radio 4’s prestigious and long-running early-morning news and current-affairs show, the Today programme, as a presenter.
Has been married to Charlotte Faircloth since September 2013 and the couple have three children.
Rajan said today: ‘Being asked to host my favourite TV programme is dream-come-true territory.
‘I have watched University Challenge obsessively for years, addicted to its high standards, glorious title music, and inspirational contestants.
‘It’s the best possible antidote to cynicism about young people, allowing millions of us to test our wits against the best minds of a new generation, and annoy and impress our families by barking answers from the sofa.’
Rajan will become only the third person to host the BBC programme, which first aired in 1962 with presenter Bamber Gascoigne.
Paying tribute to former hosts, he said: ‘I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber, and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill.
‘With his immense intellect, authority, and respect from students and viewers alike, Jeremy hands over a format, and show, as strong as ever.
‘I won’t stop thinking today about my late, beloved Dad, whose devotion to education brought him to England, whose love of knowledge I imbibed as a kid, and whose belief in the noble challenge of university so shaped my life.
‘I’ll devote my first Starter for 10 to him – and to the millions of quiz fiends who, like me, love those rare occasions when they know the answer before the students do.’
In 2013 he was promoted to editor of The Independent, which, at the age of 29, made him the youngest editor of a broadsheet title in Britain
Paxman announced his departure from University Challenge on Tuesday. The 72-year-old, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last year, has presented the show since it was revived by the BBC in 1994.
He will film his last episode this autumn and his final series will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday August 29 through to summer 2023. A new presenter will be announced later this week.
Rajan’s wife, Charlotte Faircloth
The journalist and broadcaster said: ‘I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years.
‘I’ve been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and to meet some of the swottier brains in the country. It gives me hope for the future.’
In June 2014, Mr Paxman left BBC current affairs programme Newsnight after 25 years as its presenter.
He revealed in May last year that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He said his doctor had him tested for the incurable condition after seeing him on University Challenge during lockdown.
The veteran presenter said he suffered regular falls, including one that left him with ‘black eyes’, and admitted it was ‘very hard to know you’re not going to get better’.
Mr Paxman had a 34-year relationship with Elizabeth Clough, who is the mother of his three children, but left her for book editor Jillian Taylor in 2017.
Born in Leeds, Mr Paxman started his career in 1972 on the BBC’s graduate trainee programme, working in local radio and reporting on the Troubles in Belfast.
Shortly after moving to London in 1977, he transferred from Tonight to investigative flagship programme Panorama, before stints on the Six O’Clock News and BBC One’s Breakfast Time.
He became a presenter of Newsnight in 1989, a position he would hold until June 2014 during which time he interviewed high-profile figures from politics and culture.
Paxman with his partner Jillian Taylor in 2019 at a performance of The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ the Musical. She is in her early forties
The broadcaster first became the face of the revived University Challenge when it returned after a hiatus
ANSWERS –
1. The Authors XI cricket team;
2. First non-white national newspaper editor in the UK for more than a century;
3. The Salisbury review;
4. Prince Philip
5. Becoming a father;
6. English literature;
7 – Three ‘massive’ rums.
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