Amol Rajan

The journalist and broadcaster is taking over from Jeremy Paxman from autumn 2023 onwards.

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. [Explosive Shetland - is this the end for Tosh?](/mediacentre/2022/explosive-shetland)Tonight’s unmissable episode of BBC One and BBC iPlayer’s acclaimed murder mystery series Shetland ended in dramatic fashion with DS Alison ‘Tosh’ MacIntosh (played by Alison O’Donnell), trapped in a deadly explosion which has left her life hanging in the balance. We've long admired him as an outstanding journalist and broadcaster - especially as he had the guts to play for his own college in our Christmas series a few years ago!” Jeremy leaves a very big chair to fill but Amol’s experience, expertise and sense of humour makes him the perfect fit for one of Britain’s longest running and toughest quiz shows. "I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber, and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. Rajan has been the BBC’s Media Editor since December 2016 and a presenter of the BBC Radio 4 Today programme since May 2021.

'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 ...

“I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber [Gascoigne], and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. Rajan who has been the BBC’s media editor since December 2016 and a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme since May 2021 will step down as media editor later in the year. “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.

Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan will take over from Jeremy Paxman as host of University Challenge from autumn 2023.

“I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber (Gascoigne), and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. He will continue to present on the Today programme and continue the Amol Rajan Interviews show. [education](/news/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.

Being asked to host my favourite TV programme is dream-come-true territory,” said Amol Rajan, the new presenter of University Challenge.

Rajan was born in Calcutta, India, and his family moved to London when he was three years old. He has also written for publications such as The Spectator, GQ, New Statesman, and Politico Europe. He also previously worked at the Foreign Office, during his gap year.

BBC Media Editor Amol Rajan will replace Jeremy Paxman as host of University Challenge when the veteran broadcaster steps down this autumn.

Jeremy leaves a very big chair to fill but Amol’s experience, expertise and sense of humour makes him the perfect fit for one of Britain’s longest running and toughest quiz shows. 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.” “I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber [Gascoigne, who presented the show in its original form], and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill,” Rajan continued.

Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan will take over from Jeremy Paxman as host of University Challenge from autumn 2023, the BBC has said.

“I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber (Gascoigne), and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. He will continue to be a presenter on the Today programme and will also continue the Amol Rajan Interviews show. Bamber Gascoigne launched the quiz in 1962.

A former University Challenge question writer has slammed the appointment of Amol Rajan, after previously defending JK Rowling over her views on transgender ...

The BBC said at the time: ‘Amol made clear he was not taking a view on the subject of JK Rowling’s essay and acknowledged the severity of offence that some people had taken to what she’d written. And I’ve loved helping set a few questions for this series too. I’ve had an amazing time rehearsing & being a standby presenter for it this year. Those offended felt she was questioning their identity and even attacking their human rights, which they argue is a form of discrimination or hate speech.’ I’ve loved working with the fab team who seem to love me & just narrated a UC documentary that’s going out on BBC2. ‘I voiced that at the time. ‘Jeremy Paxman largely facilitated that environment. ‘It’s hard to sit on this University Challenge thing. Offence is the price of free speech. If it’s who I believe it is, it’s a bad decision. This is worse. ‘Rajan isn’t who I’d been told.

The 39-year-old has been named as the new host of BBC quiz show University Challenge, taking over from seasoned broadcaster Jeremy Paxman.

He said his doctor had him tested for the incurable condition after seeing him on University Challenge during lockdown. 'Mrs Wales – spare us from the 'Duchess of Cambridge' – is a beautiful lady, and does noble work. It gives me hope for the future.' She is in her early forties A new presenter will be announced later this week. This made him the youngest ever editor of a UK broadsheet national newspaper. She's apologised for misleading a court on this.' 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 What was it? 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. In December 2021 Rajan apologised in a statement on Twitter for the comments he made in the 2012 article. 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'.

Paxman announced on 16 August the he was stepping down from University Challenge after 28 years.

Rajan will step down as Media Editor at BBC News later in the year, and will continue to be a presenter on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme as well as continue Amol Rajan Interviews. Amol Rajan is a journalist and broadcaster who has been the BBC’s media editor since December 2016 and a presenter on the BBC radio 4’s Today programme since May 2021. Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan will be taking on the role of University Challenge host, the

Amol Rajan, who will step down as media editor at BBC News later in the year, will begin filming University Challenge from early next year and be seen on ...

"I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber (Gascoigne), and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. He has also presented on BBC Radio 2 and The One Show, and was previously editor of The Independent newspaper. This year University Challenge celebrates 60 years on the small screen. Just a cursory glance at Rajan's Twitter feed would have shown that the reporter was biased against the royals to an extent that bordered on rudeness." He will continue to be a presenter on the Today programme and will also continue the Amol Rajan Interviews show. "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. "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. The source, who has worked with the BBC for many years, told the Sunday Express: "The BBC's decision makes a travesty of its claim to be impartial. [Rajan, 39, says it is a "dream come true" to take over from Paxman, who is stepping down](https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/tv/university-challenge-host-jeremy-paxman-27753308) as host of the [TV quiz](https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/tv/) show after 28 years, ending his reign as the longest-serving current quizmaster on British television. The journalist, who is also a presenter for Radio 4’s Today programme, apologised for the commentary saying: “In reference to very reasonable questions about some foolish commentary from a former life, I want to say I deeply regret it. [BBC's media editor](https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/all-about/bbc) since December 2016 and a presenter on BBC Radio 4's Today programme since May 2021. A controversial new host has been selected to sit in the University Challenge quizmaster's chair as Jeremy Paxman steps down as host from autumn 2023, the BBC has said.

The journalist and broadcaster is taking over from Jeremy Paxman from autumn 2023 onwards.

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. We've long admired him as an outstanding journalist and broadcaster - especially as he had the guts to play for his own college in our Christmas series a few years ago!” Jeremy leaves a very big chair to fill but Amol’s experience, expertise and sense of humour makes him the perfect fit for one of Britain’s longest running and toughest quiz shows. 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.” "I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber, and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. Rajan has been the BBC’s Media Editor since December 2016 and a presenter of the BBC Radio 4 Today programme since May 2021.

Press Gazette has been reporting on British journalism without fear or favour since 1965. Our mission is to provide a news and information service which ...

I’ve always been happy to go through an honest, fair process and be judged on my merits. The Media Show has recently been hosted by culture editor Katie Razzell, analysis editor Ros Atkins and a number of other guest presenters. “I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber [Gascoigne], and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. “And I’ve loved helping set a few questions for this series too. His brief included mergers, digital advances and media trends and he will continue in the role until later this year. [Amol Rajan](https://pressgazette.co.uk/subject/amol-rajan/) is stepping down from the role of [BBC News](https://pressgazette.co.uk/subject/bbc) media editor to host BBC Two’s University Challenge.

Amal Rajan will become only the third ever presenter of University Challenge, after Jeremy Paxman stepped down from the role earlier this week.

"I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber (Gascoigne), and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. He will continue to be a presenter on the Today programme and will also continue the Amol Rajan Interviews show. [Paxman announced he would be stepping down](https://news.sky.com/story/jeremy-paxman-to-step-down-as-university-challenge-host-12674380) from the much-loved show earlier this week. The BBC's 2021/22 annual report showed Rajan was on a salary of £325,000-£329,999 and is expected to be paid more as the host of University Challenge. Rajan has called the show his "favourite TV programme" and says being offered the job of presenter is "dream-come-true territory". The 39-year-old has been the BBC's media editor since December 2016 and a presenter on BBC Radio 4's Today programme since May 2021.

The 39-year-old, who was confirmed as Jeremy Paxman's replacement on Tuesday, was born to Hindu parents in Calcutta, India, and moved to London aged three.

Jeremy leaves a very big chair to fill but Amol's experience, expertise and sense of humour makes him the perfect fit for one of Britain's longest-running and toughest quiz shows. 'People talk of the morality of ambition, like it is a bad thing,' he has said. In 2006, he was a lowly researcher on ITV's The Wright Stuff. In May 2021 he made his first appearance on the Today programme. 'They offered it to him, he went back to the BBC and told them he had been approached. On top of which he has held the job of BBC media editor for six years, a position he will step down from when he takes up the University Challenge job. The BBC put together a financial and programme package to keep him. 'But no one from the BBC has spoken to me yet about taking over. Rajan will take up the role in autumn 2023, with Paxman to have one final season asking the questions on the quiz show. Varadarajan, as 'the cleverest man I've met, born into unconscionable poverty, who with his glorious wife (also one of 11 siblings) sacrificed everything to come to UK when I was 3, so that his kids may at least live a fuller, happier life than he did' Rajan is already among the broadcaster's best-paid staff. Rajan appeared on a celebrity series of University Challenge less than two years ago.