Amol Rajan is one of the 21 famous faces taking part in The Celebrity Traitors 2026, which returns to BBC One on Thursday, October 1. The broadcaster, best known for hosting University Challenge, will compete alongside stars including Maya Jama, James Blunt, Michael Sheen, Richard E Grant and Ross Kemp.
The celebrities are competing for a share of up to £100,000 for their chosen charity. Hidden among them are The Traitors, who must remain undetected as they secretly eliminate fellow players. The Faithfuls must work together to banish the Traitors before becoming their next victims. If a Traitor reaches the end without suspicion, they take the entire prize.
Personal Loss and Grief
In 2022, Amol's father, P. Varadarajan, died suddenly at the age of 76 from pneumonia. Amol recalled receiving a call from a withheld number while his father was in hospital, and a nurse telling him to come 'immediately' as his father was not responding.
Speaking to RadioTimes, Amol said the grief hit him 'extremely hard' and he felt 'ashamed' for 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 a BBC executive producer asked if he wanted to front a film about the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. After a conversation with his mum and wife in front of his four children, he agreed. He added: "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 Revelation and Career Move
Five years ago, Amol had his first shift on Radio 4's Today programme. He revealed on X that he had a panic attack the night before, 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'. Amol also spoke about his panic attacks on Morning Live, saying: "It's the feeling of total utter terror. It's not low-level anxiety." He described it as 'doom spilling through your head' and a total loss of control.
This year, Amol announced he was leaving BBC Radio 4's Today programme to launch his own company, though he remains at the BBC presenting University Challenge and the Radical with Amol Rajan podcast. In a statement, he said: "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 the Today programme 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."
The Celebrity Traitors series two begins on Thursday, October 1 with an extra-long opening episode at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
