Amol Rajan, best known for hosting BBC's University Challenge, is among the 21 celebrities taking part in the new series of Celebrity Traitors. The show sees famous faces compete for a share of up to £100,000 for their chosen charity, with Traitors secretly trying to eliminate the Faithfuls without being detected.
Father's sudden death
In 2022, Amol's father, P. Varadarajan, died suddenly at the age of 76 from pneumonia. Amol has spoken about receiving the news via a call from a withheld number, which he knew was not a good sign while a loved one was in hospital. A nurse told him to come 'immediately' as his father was not responding.
Speaking to RadioTimes, Amol confessed that the grief hit him 'extremely hard' and that he felt 'ashamed' after actively avoiding thinking about his father. He commented: "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."
That moment came when an executive producer at the BBC asked if he was interested in fronting a film about the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. After initially declining, a conversation with his mum and wife in front of his four children changed his mind.
Panic attack before Today debut
Five years ago, Amol had his first shift on Radio 4's Today programme. The night before, he revealed on X that he had a panic attack, writing: "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. Thank you so much for all the niceness and constructive criticism…"
He later thanked the team for 'looking after me' and mentioned Justin Webb and his wife, who 'sorted him out'. Speaking on Morning Live, Amol described the experience: "It's the feeling of total utter terror. It's not low-level anxiety." He said it felt like 'doom spilling through your head' and a total loss of control, which he also felt when trapped in a lift.
Emotional exit from Radio 4
This year, Amol confirmed he was leaving BBC Radio 4's Today programme to launch his own company. Viewers will still see him presenting University Challenge and the Radical with Amol Rajan podcast.
In a statement, he said it was time to 'get my coat', adding that leaving BBC's Today 'might be mad' but he was excited about 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."
His final broadcast on Today was on September 2, when he gave an emotional sign-off: "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."
Celebrity Traitors series two begins on Thursday, October 1 with an extra-long opening episode at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
