He seems to doubt anyone watching could have even the vaguest grasp not only of the basics of journalism, but of the English language itself. [4] Rajan was editor of The Independent newspaper from June 2013. 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. Amols wearing jeans and a red sweatshirt how things have changed on the Home Service., Then a cocksure Rajan chipped in: Is it called modernisation or something?. Last modified on Thu 18 Aug 2022 13.13 EDT. A BBC documentary he recently presented - The Princes And The Press - attracted criticism from the royal households, which said "overblown and unfounded claims" were given credibility. In Broadcasting House he is clearly not to everyones taste. Yes he did when he was 18, the year before he went to university. Buckingham Palace was, we were told, furious at the series suggestion of a briefing war between William and Harry. The symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are mild when they first appear, and they gradually worsen. ", Another, posted the day before Prince Philip's 90th birthday, read: "The Duke of Edinburgh, for all his faults, is also c**p at doing a tie knot. 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. The BBC's media editor, 39, was confirmed to be taking over from Paxman last year, after the 72 . 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.'. But it is a tribute to the business that said burden is shouldered daily by any number of lavishly shameless individuals, across all titles, without exception. Partly down to jealousy perhaps, because he has risen so speedily and some of them are slightly puzzled by that. A sycophancy? It did take someone like me, says Dan Wootton, about the decision, when he was at the Sun, to break ranks with the palace specialists and tell readers all about the Queens bollocking of stroppy Harry (or was it stroppy Meghan?) Elsewhere in the thread,Crawford went on to share how things progressed in recent series under Paxman, such as with no all-male teams on the programme this year. Amol Rajan (@amolrajan) Instagram photos and videos 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. Rajan launched his media career working on daytime talk show The Wright Stuff, initially as a researcher, around 2006. 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'. If its who I believe it is, its a bad decision. Jeremy Paxman, who has presented University Challenge since 1994, will film his last episode this autumn, while his final series will air on BBC Two from August 29 through to summer next year, Paxman with his partner Jillian Taylor in 2019 at a performance of The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 the Musical. 'It's really annoying,' he said, adding he felt tired most of the time. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Ive had an amazing time rehearsing & being a standby presenter for it this year. I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber, and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. On Friday morning, he broke new ground. I cant help feeling something rather similar is happening with the continuing saga of the Rajan documentary, in which the behaviour of the royal households and some newspapers will ultimately be found to be the fault of the BBC. 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Amol is an experienced BBC journalist who reports on all of the topics he covers in an impartial way and in line with the BBC's editorial guidelines. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Just before the 8am pips on Radio 4s flagship current affairs programme last Friday, one of the presenters issued the traditional reminder to listeners: Youre listening to Today on Radio 4 with Amol Rajan and Justin Webb. Amol Rajan | Media | The Guardian You were barely tolerated: the end. However, he admitted to the newspaper that he didn't think he had Parkinson's, because he thought the disease only manifested through body tremors. I long to know which editors William has entertained to drinks, and whether Harry will press on with his various legal cases against the newspapers its fascinating that Meghans lawyer, Jenny Afia of Schillings, appears in these films with the duchesss agreement. . Amol Rajan, 39, is a journalist who is currently the BBC's media editor, though he will step down from this position to host University Challenge. Jeremy Paxman to step down as University Challenge host, BBCs Amol Rajan criticised for using phrase pro-life in Roe v Wade interview, BBCappoints Amol Rajan as Radio 4 Today programme presenter, Independent editor: I didn't react fast enough to claims we backed Tories, Independent editor knew paper would close on day he took the job. Rajan was criticised by the Royal Family earlier this year for a documentary about William and Harry's relationship with the media calledThe Princes and the Press, Buckingham Palace. [5] Amol Rajan says he deeply regrets comments he made in a 2012 newspaper article and looks back with "real embarrassment". Rajans presenting style has begun to attract comment from even the most cautious of commentators, with the Financial Times recently describing him dryly as the BBCs increasingly ubiquitous presenter. The presenter also said he didn't want to join a support group because he was suspicious of them. He has also appeared on BBC Radio 2 and The One Show. Kim Kardashian wears jaw-dropping pearl dress as she joins pregnant Rihanna, Princess Anne holds bombshell interview on eve of King Charles' coronation as she says slimmed down monarchy Supermarkets pull THOUSANDS of Cadbury dessert products over food poisoning fears. Pictured left to right: David Brice, Adam Barr, Richard Gilbert, and Deborah Brown. The BBC has released first look images of the updated set of University Challenge with new quiz host Amol Rajan. And he said he "deeply regrets" his incendiary words. The BBC Two documentaryallegedly aired "unfounded" allegations that William and his staff briefed the mediaagainst Meghan and Harry. 'Parkinson's is incurable, so you're stuck with it. Call this healthy? Its 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. BBC Sounds - Rethink, Rethink Population, Is demography destiny? 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. The Princes and the PressBBC Two, aired Monday 22 November, 9pm; now on BBC iPlayer, This article appears in the 24 Nov 2021 issue of the New Statesman, The Agent of Chaos, Subscribe for the best of our politics, international affairs, culture and business coverage, straight to your inbox. And this morning Justin is wearing a cardigan, a sort of a cross between an actor from Starsky & Hutch and Val Doonican. These days, Rajan who likes to wear jewellery including a heavy chain round his neck and a large earring is on a salary of 325,000 a year, which perhaps explains why he seems to think the old rules dont apply, at least not to him. . Amol Rajan is a 39-year-old journalist and broadcaster. The Daily Mail unearthed a number of Twitter posts from the star between 2010 - 2013, including a joke that he was about to "throw a brick at Kate and Wills". After the remarks resurfaced, following the airing of the documentary, he tweeted: 'In reference to very reasonable questions about some foolish commentary from a former life, I want to say I deeply regret it. It's better to have a little sugar than any sweetener at all, says Gut Health Guru DR MEGAN ROSSI. The New Statesmans weekly environment email on the politics, business and culture of the climate and nature crises - in your inbox every Thursday. Some horrible, kinky part of me does want to hear all about how Thomas Markle was photographed buying a toilet. humility. University Challenge returns to BBC Two and iPlayer later this year. His bumptiousness was quite off the scale some tracts of the programme were little less than The Amol Rajan Show. Earlier this week, Lillian Crawford shared how she had originally been excited to see former standby presenter Samira Ahmed, 54, as the new host. Amol Rajan to be new host of University Challenge Need to watch some sport, quick. When do we want it? Everyone has views, and its pathetic of so-called free speech nuts to pretend that they havent; he certainly didnt push them in the programme. But I never thought it meant I worked as a solicitor. She had previously denied co-operating with the project. His chutzpah was again in evidence two years later when he appeared on Question Time. What weve seen so far includes moments of huge tension, flashes of genius, and brilliant starters and bonuses that will have viewers joining in and shouting at their screens., BBC Commissioning Editor for Entertainment and Comedy, Pinki Chambers added: The competition is fierce, the questions are harder and Amol has taken to the programme in an instant. The BBC said she had 'no intention to mislead the court on this'. All rights reserved. Analysis: Amol Rajan, BBC Media Editor And so the mighty Mail titles have been Trumped. 'You wouldn't know that from media coverage of her. Ahmed, who previously won an unequal pay claim against the BBC, said she had approached the production team about the job, having worked on the show as a stand-by presenter for the past year. My industry. . A truly vintage week for hypocrisy in an industry I simply cannot take seriously: the newspaper industry. Ive always been happy to go through an honest fair process and be judged on my merits. Earlier this month, ITV announced a documentary in which Mr Paxman will reflect on his diagnosis and meet those at the forefront of research. Forgive me Im just trying to understand the specific level it would be acceptable for a person such as Amol Rajan to reach. The journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan has been announced as the new host of University Challenge, taking over from Jeremy Paxman. When he takes up the University Challenge job he will be stepping down as BBC media editor, a post he has held for six years. The two-part series suggested negative stories about the Duchess of Sussex were leaked by courtiers and there was competitiveness between households. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Its hard to sit on this University Challenge thing. 11 Mar 2021. Its 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. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Earlier this year his 'world exclusive' interview with tennis star Novak Djokovic faced criticism for airing the Serbian ace's anti-vax views. However, this is emphatically not to suggest that royal stories are the exclusive province of royal correspondents. All rights reserved. A weekly newsletter helping you fit together the pieces of the global economic slowdown. The second part of the doc was titled 'Sussexit'- after Harry said the term 'Megxit' was a misogynistic term that was "created by a troll [and] amplified by royal correspondents". Whats the collective noun for royal correspondents? Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker. The irresistible rise of Amol Rajan - and what his BBC critics think Armed with brains and ambition, the journalist and presenter now bestrides the British media world - but is his judgement. After playing excerpts from the interview, Rajan said: And if that isnt enough for you, the whole series, which has got interviews with the likes of Greta Thunberg stop laughing, Justin Billie Jean King and Ian McKellen thats a good one is on BBC Sounds . BBC news: Amol Rajan faces backlash after royal apology - Express When it was announced this week that Paxman would be stepping down, Samira Ahmed, a fellow BBC presenter, publicly stated that she was unhappy with the application system. Clarence House denied it, unconvincingly. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Amol Rajan today apologised for comments he made in tweets and The Independent years ago, Amol Rajan said the royal clan was 'full of fools' and called Prince Philip a 'racist buffoon', BBC documentary 'The Princes and the Press' explores William and Harrys relationship with news outlets, comments he had made while writing for The Independent, Princes and The Press is understood to have sparked fury at the Palace, allegedly aired "unfounded" allegations that William and his staff briefed the media, legal reps reported to have watched the second instalment, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). It sends a clear signal and undoes so much work done to make all students feel welcome and safe, she began. When I was 18 I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), he said. That the newspapers many of whose royal correspondents appears as on-camera interviewees in Rajan's documentary are now going in hard on it with stories of the Monarchy's "displeasure" and claims that in the words of The Daily Mail "Meghan's mouthpieces" were privileged over the "rest of the Royals" is just . I get the sort of, I get the instinct that kind of, you know, you need to know kind of, you know, the more detail that you have the better the judgments you can make, I used to be a diplomat, I worked for a year at the Foreign Office..