Amol Rajan is one of 21 famous faces taking part in the upcoming series of BBC's Celebrity Traitors. The broadcaster, best known for hosting University Challenge, will compete for a share of up to £100,000 for charity.
The line-up also includes Maya Jama, James Blunt, Michael Sheen, Richard E Grant and Ross Kemp. Contestants face the challenge of identifying the Traitors among them, who must covertly eliminate fellow players without being discovered, while the Faithfuls work together to expel them before falling victim themselves.
Father's tragic death
In 2022, Amol's father, P. Varadarajan, died unexpectedly, aged 76, from pneumonia. Amol has spoken about receiving a call from a withheld number, which he recognised as a negative indication when a relative was hospitalised. A nurse told him he needed to arrive 'immediately' as his father had become unresponsive.
Speaking to RadioTimes, Amol admitted the bereavement struck him 'extremely hard', confessing to feeling 'ashamed' after deliberately avoiding thoughts of his father. He said: "Grief is both universal – we all experience it – and particular, in that every grief is different according to the bond that's broken. Yet there comes a moment when you think, "Maybe I should confront this; I'm not a kid any more."
His turning point came when a BBC executive producer asked if he would front a documentary about the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. After a conversation with his mother and wife in front of his four children, he agreed. He continued: "That seemed like just the sort of thing a son should do for his dear, departed dad. And the film could be a deep dive, not just into my past and grief, but an ancient civilisation and global faith still little understood in the West."
Panic attack before radio debut
Five years ago, Amol joined the presenting roster for Radio 4's Today programme. He disclosed that he suffered a panic attack the evening before his debut. Taking to X to post a photograph of himself in the studio, he wrote: "10pm last night I had a full-on panic attack. Worked myself up into a frenzy, catastrophising about first shift on @BBCr4today. Had 3 massive rums and a bit else. Got 1hr kip, in at 3.45 (below). Survived."
He later expressed gratitude to the team for 'looking after me' before referencing Justin Webb and his wife, who 'sorted him out'. Speaking on Morning Live, Amol described the experience as "the feeling of total utter terror. It's not low-level anxiety." He described the sensation as 'doom spilling through your head' and a complete loss of control, something he also experienced when trapped in a lift.
Departure from Radio 4
This year, Amol confirmed his departure from BBC Radio 4's Today programme, announcing plans to establish his own company while continuing to host University Challenge and the Radical with Amol Rajan podcast. He indicated it was time to 'get my coat', acknowledging that leaving BBC's Today 'might be mad' but expressing enthusiasm for what lay ahead.
He commented: "I'm extremely excited to jump into the Great Digital Narnia of the Creator Economy and build my own company. I'll still do Britain's oldest TV quiz and most exciting podcast. But Del Boy was my hero growing up, and it's time to unleash my inner entrepreneur. I am very much not leaving the BBC, Britain's noblest cultural institution, whose Reithian spirit is such a generous gift to a world in flux."
His farewell broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme took place on September 2. He said: "After more than 1,000 hours, hundreds of pips, a few crashes, it is time to say goodbye. It has been such an honour sitting in this studio with you, Emma, with all the presenters, but above all, with the amazing team behind the glass."
The Celebrity Traitors series two begins on Thursday, October 1 with an extra-long opening episode at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
