The BBC announced today that Amol Rajan, who will replace Jeremy Paxman in the role of host for University Challenge starting autumn 2023.
Paxman resigned as TV host after 28 years. This was the end of his dominance as UK’s most successful quizmaster.
Since December 2016, the BBC’s media editor has been John, 39. He is also a presenter for BBC Radio 4’s Today program since May 2021. He also appears on BBC Radio 2’s The One Show.
Rajan has written in the past about his republican views and has been involved with a variety of controversy during his tenure at the corporation.
He caused anger among the Royal Family when a BBC documentary on Prince William and Harry’s relationship with media was released last year. Although the BBC supported it, critics criticized the accuracy of the document.
His interview with Novak Djokovic, a tennis superstar from Serbia, was deemed ‘world-exclusive’ and he was attacked by his anti-vax opinions in the interview.
Rajan stated today that being asked to host his favorite TV program is a dream come true.
“I’ve been watching University Challenge for many years. I am addicted to the high standards and glorious music as well as the inspiring contestants.
“It is the best antidote against cynicism concerning young people. Millions of us can test our intelligences against the top minds of a fresh generation and then annoy our families with our answers on the sofa.
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. Since September 2013, he has been married to Charlotte Faircloth and they have had three children together.
Amol Rajan, BBC’s media editor (pictured left), is taking over from Jeremy Paxman as host of University Challenge (pictured right).
Rajan will host BBC’s third-ever programme. It was first broadcast in 1962 by 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.
Jeremy has a tremendous intellect and authority that draws respect from viewers and students alike.
“I will not stop thinking about my beloved Dad today. His devotion to education led him to England. I was influenced by his love for knowledge as a child and his belief in university’s noble challenge.
“I will dedicate my 10th Starter to him, and all the quiz lovers who love the rare moments when the student knows the answer better than I do.
Rajan started his media career in 2006, when he was a researcher on The Wright Stuff.
After joining The Independent newspaper as a reporter in 2007, he worked in a variety of roles at the paper, such as columnist, news editor, and comment editor. In June 2013, he was elected editor.
Fleet Street made history when Rajan, a non-white editor for a major national newspaper became Fleet Street’s first white editor. Rajan was elected the BBC’s Media Editor, in November 2016, and began The Media Show presentation in May 2017.
He will now step down from his Media Editor role and begin filming early next year and be seen on screen from autumn 2023. He will still be presenter for Today and continue with Amol Rajan interviews.
Rajan was criticised by the Royal Family earlier this year for a documentary about William and Harry’s relationship with the media called The Princes and the Press, Buckingham Palace.
Following the airing of their joint statement, Buckingham Palace (Kensington Palace) and Clarence House released an unusual joint statement in which they criticised the BBC for giving credibility to “overblown and unfounded claims made by unnamed sources”.
However the BBC defended the documentary at the time, saying: ‘The documentary included interviews with a range of print and broadcast reporters who follow the royals closely and heard their views on the relationship the press has with the royal family and what influences the stories that are published.’
The BBC was also faced a complaint from The Duchess of Sussex following a segment of a podcast – Harry, Meghan And The Media – to accompany the BBC2 documentary, in which it said Meghan Markle had apologised for ‘misleading’ the High Court.
According to the broadcaster, the Duchess had requested it to clarify that she actually apologised for not remembering asking her ex-PR chief to assist with Finding Freedom.
She has previously denied having co-operated with the project.
According to the BBC, she did not intend to mislead any court regarding this.
Rajan, an ex-editor of The Independent was made to apologize for making incendiary comments about royals in 2012 articles.
He called the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge’s public roles a “total fraud” and described Prince Philip as a “racist buffoon”.
Rajan apologized after calling the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge’s public roles (pictured) a “total fraud” and calling Prince Philip a “racist buffoon”.
Rajan was also involved in other scandals at BBC. Earlier this year his ‘world exclusive’ interview with tennis star Novak Djokovic (pictured) faced criticism for airing the Serbian ace’s anti-vax views
The comments surfaced again after the film was aired. Following that, he wrote: “In reference very reasonable questions regarding some foolish commentary from an earlier life,I want to say my deepest regrets.”
‘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…’
Before the documentary was aired, the BBC had to deal with a “bias” row about Rajan’s selection for the role. He once called the monarchy idea ‘absurd’.
His words were: “When it comes to the absurd monarchy of our country, journalists have become so engrossed by aristocratic wealth they cannot present a convincing picture for their readers.
‘Mrs Wales – spare us from the ‘Duchess of Cambridge’ – is a beautiful lady, and does noble work. She is like us all, she has bad moods and bad breath and can’t look good with a hangover.
You wouldn’t guess that from the media coverage about her. You get an idol and not a person. Prince Harry or Prince William or Catherine Middleton and the Queen are all my friends.
“Other royals such as Prince Philip or the scientifically inept Prince Charles are not my favorites. They champion policies that will lead to starvation death of millions of Africans.
Rajan was also involved in several other scandals. In an interview with Novak Djokovic earlier this year, Rajan was criticised for his anti-vax views.
He discussed with his tennis team the confusion caused by his cancellation of an Australian visa in advance of January’s Australian Open due to his immunization status.
It was however claimed that at the time the interview took place, insiders from the corporation were worried about Rajan’s apparent chumminess’ with Djokovic.
BBC claimed that they received complaints from viewers about how the interview was presented and that it was irresponsible to amplify his views on 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 understand that people may disagree with us on the order of our story runs, but we believe that this story has been an ongoing story and covers important issues such as international travel restrictions and mandatory vaccinations.
“There are still people who don’t want to get vaccinated. We believe it important to have all perspectives on the issue.
“However, the BBC has made it clear that there is scientific consensus and evidence of vaccine effectiveness and the benefits to vaccinations throughout its coverage.
It comes after it was announced on Tuesday that Paxman is stepping down as the host of University Challenge after 28 years – ending his reign as the longest-serving current quizmaster on UK TV.
Since 1994, the BBC has revived the program.
His final episode will be filmed this fall. It will air on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Two from Monday August 29 to the summer of 2023. This week, a new presenter is expected to be announced.
Jeremy Paxman (presenter of University Challenge) will tape his final episode in autumn. The last season will air on BBC Two between August 29 and summer 2013.
Paxman with his partner Jillian Taylor in 2019 at a performance of The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ the Musical. She is currently in her early 40s.
Broadcaster and journalist, he said that he had enjoyed hosting the series for almost 29 years.
“I was fortunate to have worked with an exceptional team and met some of the smartest people in the country. This gives me hope for my future.
Following 25 years, Paxman was the BBC’s presenter for Newsnight. He resigned in June 2014.
Last May, he disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Following his participation in University Challenge, Lockdown during which he was being held hostage to the University of California system, a doctor recommended that he be tested.
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’.
He had a 34-year marriage to Elizabeth Clough. Elizabeth Clough is the mother of his children. However, Paxman divorced her in 2017 and became a book editor, Jillian Taylor.
Paxman, a Leeds native, began his career as a BBC graduate trainee in 1972.
After moving to London in London, 1977, he switched from Tonight to Panorama to investigate the flagship program Panorama. He also had stints with Six O’Clock News (BBC One’s Breakfast Time) and BBC One’s Breakfast Time.
In 1989, he was appointed Newsnight’s presenter. He would remain in that position until June 2014. During this time, he interview high-profile personalities from culture and politics.
When the University Challenge returned to its roots after a hiatus it made the broadcaster the face and spokesperson for the new University Challenge.
The host with the 2013 University Of Manchester team. Left to right: Deborah Brown and Richard Gilbert.
Following 25 years in the business, Paxman gave a Newsnight program that featured an interview and a ride on a tandem bike with Boris Johnson.
University Challenge was first broadcast in 1962, hosted by Bamber Gastonie. This year marks its 60th anniversary and is Britain’s longest-running TV quiz show.
On Monday 29 August at 9 PM, a special documentary celebrating the occasion will air on BBC Two or BBC iPlayer.
In May 2021, Mr Paxman stated that he was receiving treatment for Parkinson’s disease but his symptoms are ‘currently mild.
ITV earlier announced that a documentary would be made in which Paxman, a doctor who was diagnosed with cancer, will share his story and interview those involved in the research.
Last year, Paxman was interviewed by the newspaper about being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
According to The Sunday Times Magazine, the presenter said that he would keep falling and getting hurt and end up with bruises, black eyes, and cuts.
But he said to the newspaper that he did not believe he had Parkinson’s because he believed the disease manifested in body tremors.
His explanation was that he kept falling, and blamed my dog for getting under my feet. But after my last fall, which left me with a lot of blood, black eyes and cuts all over my face, the situation became a mess and I realized it wasn’t right.
In Manchester, Mr Paxman walked with the assistance of a stick to walk last year. This was just a few days before he announced his diagnosis.
“You have Parkinson’s,” said the doctor. This was something I hadn’t thought about before. It was a strange thought to me.He said, “,” he continued.
Parkinson’s Disease is mild at first, but gradually gets more severe.
Although involuntary and tremors are what most people associate with the condition, slow movement and stiffness can be signs as well, according to NHS.
Paxman spoke out about his diagnosis in a book called Black Gold: How Coal Made Britain, which he wrote. He said that the best thing for people was to “adapt,” but acknowledged that he is still struggling with the unpredictable nature of the disease.
“Sometimes you feel awake while others feel asleep. Your current state isn’t necessarily indicative of your future.
“It’s really irritating,” he stated, adding that he was tired most of all.
Parkinson’s disease is incurable so it’s a permanent condition. It’s hard. It’s very difficult to realize that you won’t get better. It’s hard to believe you’ll, but it’s not possible,’ he said.
The presenter with three children, Elizabeth Clough and her ex-partner, refused to let the condition get him down. He said that he hopes it doesn’t completely incapacitate his family.
The diagnosis left him feeling depressed. However, it wasn’t a combination of symptoms.
A presenter said that he wasn’t interested in joining a support program because he was skeptical of their methods.
He did however say that he would donate his brain after his death, to Parkinson’s UK for their research on the condition.