BBC broadcaster Amol Rajan has announced a major career shift, stepping down from his role as a host on Radio 4's flagship Today programme after five years. The 42-year-old revealed on Thursday 15 January 2026 that he is leaving to jump into the "great digital Narnia of the creator economy" and build his own company.
A Divisive Figure in Broadcasting
Rajan's tenure on the prestigious morning news show was consistently polarising. His warm, conversational and often informal style won him a legion of fans who saw him as a refreshing moderniser. Social media reactions to his departure exemplified this split, with supporters praising him for breathing "new life into the Beeb" while detractors sniped about his accent and presenting manner.
His approach sometimes sparked controversy, notably in 2024 when then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt took offence on air after Rajan labelled him a "fiscal drag queen" and described some policies as "Soviet". Hunt retorted that the comments were "unworthy of the BBC". Critics often accused Rajan of lacking the traditional gravitas associated with Radio 4, while his supporters championed his relatability and enthusiasm.
From Newspaper Editor to Ubiquitous BBC Face
Rajan's journey to the heart of the BBC establishment was remarkable. Born in Kolkata in 1983, he moved to Tooting, south London, as a young child. After studying English at Cambridge, he rose rapidly in journalism.
In 2013, at just 29, he became the youngest-ever editor of The Independent, also making him the first non-white editor of a British national newspaper in over a century. He joined the BBC as its first media editor in 2016 and swiftly became one of its most recognisable faces.
His portfolio expanded to include documentaries on the royals and class, presenting on Radio 2, hosting interview series, and appearing on The One Show. In 2021, he joined the Today programme lineup and, two years later, took over from Jeremy Paxman as the quizmaster on University Challenge—a role he will continue. His salary was revealed in the BBC's annual report to be between £315,000 and £319,999.
Embracing a New Personal Brand
Rajan's decision to leave is framed as an entrepreneurial move, inspired by his childhood hero Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses. He stressed he is "very much not leaving the BBC" entirely and will continue with University Challenge and his podcast, Radical with Amol Rajan.
His candidness has been a hallmark of his public persona. He has openly discussed suffering a "full-on panic attack" before his first Today programme broadcast, his family's "hellish" IVF journey, and the grief following his father's death in 2022. On social media, he shares clips of his early-morning cab rides soundtracked by rap music and reflects on his working-class roots, having previously made a documentary on the "class ceiling".
This openness places him at the forefront of a newer generation of BBC voices prioritising relatability over the traditional "stiff upper lip". It also explains his desire to build "Brand Amol" independently. As he noted, the allure of the creator economy suggests a future where personal brand can eclipse the platform.
Despite the criticism, often laced with classism and accent bias, Rajan's impact is undeniable. Whether modernising the BBC's tone or dividing its audience, his career shows no sign of slowing down. As a handwritten note on his old BBC desk once reminded him: "Slow the f**k down". For Amol Rajan, that time has not yet come.
