BBC legend John Humphrys has slammed his former Radio 4 co-stars as “profoundly irritating”, seven years after quitting his presenting job on the Today programme. The 82-year-old, who spent more than 30 years at BBC Radio 4, handed in his notice in 2019 but has now hit out at the current presenters in his Guardian column.
Humphrys Criticises Presenters' Communication Style
Humphrys wrote: “Having been the one on the radio informing (and possibly sometimes annoying) the listeners for 33 years, I’m now the man shouting at his radio about how irritating the programme has become.” He complained that chief presenters Justin Webb, Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson leave him “harrumphing” at the radio due to their communication style.
He specifically criticised Amol Rajan’s “insistence on emphasising, without fail, the definite and indefinite articles in any given sentence. In his world, ‘A’ bomb has exploded in ‘THE’ palace of Westminster.”
Gushing Interviews and Filler Words
The ex-BBC star said some presenters are “more guilty than others” of “gushing” over their guests before an interview, and also hit out at filler words like “y’know” and “I mean”. This, apparently, makes Humphrys “grind his teeth”. Despite his litany of issues, he branded the three hosts “as good as they come”, but complained about “deeply uncomfortable” exchanges between the presenters when they discuss the “significance” of whatever interview has just been completed.
Humphrys' Departure from BBC Radio
Humphrys originally stepped down from BBC radio as he wanted to “get more involved in trees”, adding: “I love doing the programme. I have always enjoyed it. That's the problem. I should have gone years ago. Obviously I should have gone years ago.”
