Amol Rajan confirms exit from major presenting role: "It's time to get my coat"

Amol Rajan has announced he is leaving his role on BBC’s Today programme after five years.

The presenter, who joined the staple radio show in 2021, revealed in a statement that he is unleashing his "inner entrepreneur" to launch his own unspecified company.

The BBC said that Rajan will continue to work for the BBC, hosting University Challenge and the Radical podcast.

"The pips have sounded, and it's time to get my coat," Rajan said in a statement, adding: "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."

He continued: "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.

Speaking about his reasons for his departure, he added: "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's noblest cultural institution, whose Reithian spirit is such a generous gift to a world in flux. It's that world I'm heading for, and I'm excited."

Rajan took over from Jeremy Paxman as the host of University Challenge for the 53rd series in 2023.

Before joining the BBC, Rajan worked as the editor of The Independent, becoming the first non-white editor of a national newspaper in over a century.

He quit the role in 2016 when he was appointed the BBC’s first media editor, before joining Radio 4’s Today programme five years later.

Owenna Griffiths, editor of Today, praised Rajan’s "rare combination of intellectual dexterity, impressive breadth of interest" and "brilliant sense of humour", adding that "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, said it will be really sad to lose Rajan’s "distinctive intellectual energy and curiosity" but said he was pleased that he will still be a regular presence on Radio 4.

John McAndrew, Director of Live and Daily News, added: "Amol’s a huge talent who’s been a fantastic addition to the Today line-up. I’d like to thank him for everything he’s done and I’m delighted he’ll continue presenting for the BBC.

"Amol has brought a real breath of fresh air to Today and we will keep evolving the programme as we continue to refresh the presenting team in the months ahead."

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