That the newspapers many of whose royal correspondents appears as on-camera interviewees in Rajan's documentary are now going in hard on it with stories of the Monarchy's "displeasure" and claims that in the words of The Daily Mail "Meghan's mouthpieces" were privileged over the "rest of the Royals" is just . Rajan has worked variously as the BBC's media editor and presenter of its Media Show, a Masterchef critic, and the host of the Big Debate on the Asian Network. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. But to summarise: if THEY are overheard calling you awful, YOU get punished. He gravitated from being the Corporations first media editor in 2016 to joining the prestige Today presenting team within five years. A BBC documentary he recently presented - The Princes And The Press - attracted criticism from the royal households, which said "overblown and unfounded claims" were given credibility. A trivial point, perhaps, but one, say some colleagues, wholly in keeping with the character of the man. Your new guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture each weekend - from the New Statesman. Mr Rajan's apology came after his BBC documentary the Princes and The Press is understood to have sparked fury at the Palace, with the Queen said to have been "upset" by the show. University Challenge has given us a first look of Amol Rajan taking the reins from Jeremy Paxman. By Rachel Cooke Photo by Getty Images What's the collective noun for royal correspondents? He also reportedly urged the couple to "renounce the luxuries of royal patronage and aristocracy" and said of other royals: "Aside from the Queen whose public image is crafted by an ever-expanding team of propagandists this clan is unusually full of fools". The BBC said it received complaints from some viewers who felt the interview was given too much prominence and that it was 'irresponsible' to amplify his views on the vaccine. During his time at the publication he held a number of roles, including news reporter, columnist, sports reporter and editor of the title's comment section, Independent Voices. Amol Rajan [1] (born 4 July 1983) is an Indian-born British journalist and broadcaster who was the BBC 's Media Editor from December 2016 [2] to January 2023, [3] and has been a presenter on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 since 2021. Do the papers show the royal households the entire proof copy front page before they run with this or that anonymous briefing? Veteran broadcaster Paxman, 72, announced he was due to. (Getty) Amol Rajan is a journalist and broadcaster who has worked for the BBC since 2016, when he was appointed as media editor. Meanwhile, his 'world exclusive' interview with tennis star Novak Djokovic earlier this year was attacked for airing the Serbian ace's anti-vax views. He described the public role of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as a 'total fraud' and called Prince Philip a 'racist buffoon'. On the very, very rare occasions that sacred D-notice is broken, you will only hear about the royal family in the most deferential, scrupulously fair and quintuply sourced terms. No matter that he was already sometimes presenting The One Show (BBC1), Start The Week (Radio 4) and Rethink (Radio 4); that he had covered for Jeremy Vine and Zoe Ball on Radio 2; or that youre never far from one of his BBC documentaries, whether on class (How to Break Into The Elite) or royal reporting (The Princes And The Press). Published: 22:01 BST, 7 February 2023 | Updated: 13:51 BST, 8 February 2023. In June 2014, Mr Paxman left BBC current affairs programme Newsnight after 25 years as its presenter. In Broadcasting House he is clearly not to everyones taste. 'I've been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and to meet some of the swottier brains in the country. As any diehard fan of the show will tell you, it is protocol that whoever makes this announcement always introduces their colleague first. A BBC spokesperson said: Once journalists join the BBC, they leave past views at the door. Rajan was criticised by the Royal Family earlier this year for a documentary about William and Harry's relationship with the media calledThe Princes and the Press, Buckingham Palace. The two-part series suggested negative stories about the Duchess of Sussex were leaked by courtiers and there was competitiveness between households. Anonymous briefing is the royal beats lifeblood, helped by the fact royal households are famously Earths most bitchy workplaces (not even newspaper offices or the BBC come close). I guess the chance to rubbish the BBC for not doing something theyd never dream of doing themselves is simply too tempting to resist but really its just the most extreme hypocrisy, when they have profited handsomely for decades from the very system of covert gossip it touched on. The gargoyles on display here only make their weird, semi-necrophilia seem all the more repellent by talking so very earnestly about it. 17/01/2022. The heartfelt reason Kate and Prince William chose the name Charlotte for their daughter - who turns eight Charlotte is terrific in Trotters! He has covered for Zoe Ball and Jeremy Vine on Radio 2, and been a regular stand-in on The One Show. I get the sort of, I get the instinct that kind of, you know, you need to know kind of, you know, the more detail that you have the better the judgments you can make, I used to be a diplomat, I worked for a year at the Foreign Office.. "Couple have a mog sanctuary mansion with bazillions of cats. Shortly after moving to London in 1977, he transferred from Tonight to investigative flagship programme Panorama, before stints on the Six O'Clock News and BBC One's Breakfast Time. In 2013 he was promoted to editor of The Independent, which, at the age of 29, made him the youngest editor of a broadsheet title in Britain. That, and the constant possibility of a knee-trembler in the silver cupboard with some likeminded house elf (listen, Im not knocking it). He explained: 'I kept falling over, I blamed the dog getting under my feet, but after the last time I went down, straight on my face, it was a real mess - black eyes, cuts and blood everywhere - and I thought, 'This isn't right', he said. , others. The idea that the royal family could claim with any certainty that one or several of their ludicrous retinues HADNT briefed a journalist is absurd. And he said he "deeply regrets" his incendiary words. This is worse. The Daily Mail reports in one open letter to William and Kate . Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning. The BBC had also been set to release a five-part podcast this week, exploring the royals relationship with the Press, but it was mysteriously delayed at the eleventh hour. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. As well as a new host, the set for University Challenge has been modernised, with changes since the previous set, which was in place from 2013 and saw 1,736 contestants compete. Now, weve been given our first look at Rajans University Challenge debut, as recording is underway for the programmes 61st year. The Daily Mail reports in . That's just not on.". However the BBC defended the documentary at the time, saying:'The documentary included interviews with a range of print and broadcast reporters who follow the royals closely and heard their views on the relationship the press has with the royal family and what influences the stories that are published.'. A man who has applauded the bravery of TERFs is taking over a show with one of the biggest queer/trans representations on TV. "All BBC current affairs output is required. For other inquiries, Contact Us. In a series of tweets, Rajan, 38, said he "deeply regretted" the comments he had made in a "former life". Amol Rajan joined the Today presenting team in 2021. It's better to have a little sugar than any sweetener at all, says Gut Health Guru DR MEGAN ROSSI. However, with his name not even being on many bookmakers lists, his appointment has been a surprise to some fans of the show. Even accounting for their long-term interest in attacking the BBC, we have to wonder why the enemies of cancel culture are trying to cancel him for it. A rare joint statement from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace was included at the end of the BBC Two documentary. After the remarks resurfaced, following the airing of the documentary, he tweeted: 'In reference to very reasonable questions about some foolish commentary from a former life, I want to say I deeply regret it. Analysis: Amol Rajan, BBC Media Editor And so the mighty Mail titles have been Trumped. Rajan, 39, will combine the role with his other jobs presenting episodes of Radio 4s Today programme and his own television interview series. And this morning Justin is wearing a cardigan, a sort of a cross between an actor from Starsky & Hutch and Val Doonican. Media editor will continue in his current role while joining flagship morning news show. At the time, he commented of Rowling: In a blog about the transgender debate, she offended many people. BBC journalist Amol Rajan apologises for 'rude and immature' comments about royals, Amol Rajan says 'sorry' for any offence his comments may have caused. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. The rave reviews went on and on and on. Kim Kardashian wears jaw-dropping pearl dress as she joins pregnant Rihanna, Princess Anne holds bombshell interview on eve of King Charles' coronation as she says slimmed down monarchy Supermarkets pull THOUSANDS of Cadbury dessert products over food poisoning fears. Forgive me Im just trying to understand the specific level it would be acceptable for a person such as Amol Rajan to reach. And that is hard. He will continue to be a presenter on the Today programme and will also continue the Amol Rajan Interviews show. The fallout from Amol Rajans BBC documentary has shone a light on the least edifying beat in British journalism. The BBC was also faced a complaint from The Duchess of Sussex following a segment of a podcast Harry, Meghan And The Media to accompany the BBC2 documentary, in which it said Meghan Markle had apologised for 'misleading' the High Court. However the BBC defended the documentary at the time, saying: 'The documentary included interviews with a range of print and broadcast reporters who follow the royals closely and heard their views on the relationship the press has with the royal family and what influences the stories that are published.'. However, she went on to claim someone high up at the BBC chose someone else, who turned out not to be Rajan. Mr Rajan, who used to edit the paper, reportedly called Prince Philip a "racist buffoon" in one column while describing Wills' and Kate's public role "a total fraud" in an open letter to the couple. 'I wrote things that were rude and immature and I look back on them now with real embarrassment, and ask myself what I was thinking, frankly'. . Neither of us were properly informed of why we were no longer a part of the show, she explained. dailymail.co.uk. This past weeks standout has been the full-spectrum warfare unleashed by the tabloids on the BBCs Amol Rajan for having the temerity to make a documentary about Princes William and Harry who you will, of course, barely ever read about in the tabloids. I voiced that at the time. He did not detract from that when he objectively praised the writing style, her honesty in talking about her own experiences of domestic and sexual abuse, and the bravery required to express a viewpoint knowing it will lead to further online abuse.. You know the sort of thing EXCLUSIVE: Diana thinks Kate is perfect but doesnt believe Meghans the one: confidante reveals the princess still speaks to her from beyond the grave (and even told her to vote for Brexit). Huge thanks to the tireless standards-upholders at MailOnline. While there is a new a set and presenter, everything else remains: the perfect title music; the peerless voice of Roger Tilling; the fiendish questions; and above all the remarkable students, some of whom come this year from universities competing for the first time. Jamie Oliver seen with Jock Zonfrillo just hours before his death was announced, Bride and Prejudice reality star dies after being hit by intoxicated driver, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo dies aged 46 leaving family devastated. Apologising today, the 38-year-old journalist insisted the comments were "foolish" and "immature". Of course yeah, OK Im gripped. I sat next to Brian Redhead and John Timpson and we always wore suits, jackets and ties. I may need a lie down after this. The BBC today gave a first look at new University Challenge host Amol Rajan and a redesigned set as recording gets under way for the quiz show's 61st year.. Ill be stuck to the next episode like fly paper. A year before he became editor of The Independent at the age of 29, he used its pages to launch an extraordinary attack on the Royal Family, slating the Duke of Edinburgh as a racist buffoon, the Prince of Wales as scientifically illiterate, and describing the Queens Diamond Jubilee as little more than the industrialisation of mediocrity. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Inside the luxury boutique hotel above a wine bar where Jock Zonfrillo spent his final hours - before the Brit is arrested after fatal mid-air collision with another paraglider which sent both men crashing onto a Aristocrats could pay out for Great Famine: Ex-BBC reporter Laura Trevelyan 'would consider' reparations for Do not sell or share my personal information. University Challenge has given us a first look of Amol Rajan taking the reins from Jeremy Paxman. If its who I believe it is, its a bad decision. MORE : Jeremy Paxman walks red carpet with a cane ahead of being honoured at Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, MORE : Jeremy Paxman, 72, was rushed to hospital twice in 24 hours. Not on this occasion. I have watched University Challenge obsessively for years, addicted to its high standards, glorious title music, and inspirational contestants, he said. Ill devote my first starter for 10 to him and to the millions of quiz fiends who, like me, love those rare occasions when they know the answer before the students do., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. ", RepliKates: Meet the women who collect the Princess of Wales's wardrobe, Princess Charlotte seen in new image taken by Kate to mark eighth birthday, Coronation flypast route: Where you can watch the display from the ground. Urged to divulge her sources, Camilla Tominey of the Daily Telegraph in particular looks like she might be about to faint with happiness (No, no, no, Amol! she doesnt quite scream). Rajan apologised after describing the public role of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured) as a 'total fraud' and called Prince Philip a 'racist buffoon'. However, he admitted to the newspaper that he didn't think he had Parkinson's, because he thought the disease only manifested through body tremors. And from their feedback and sheer numbers, our treasured audience has made very clear I am far from alone.. 'It's really annoying,' he said, adding he felt tired most of the time. It had never occurred to me. The spectacle of tabloid journalists ANY journalists demanding the royal family get shown an entire documentary before it airs, so they can approve it, is hardcore through-the-looking-glass stuff. The BBCs media editor, 39, was confirmed to be taking over from Paxman last year, after the 72 year old announced he was stepping down after nearly three decades. I worked in a solicitors office, where I spent most of the time running errands. His chutzpah was again in evidence two years later when he appeared on Question Time. Amols wearing jeans and a red sweatshirt how things have changed on the Home Service., Then a cocksure Rajan chipped in: Is it called modernisation or something?. I'm completely committed to impartiality and hope our recent programmes can be judged on their merits. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Speaking of his diagnosis, Paxman, who wrote a new book, Black Gold: The History of How Coal Made Britain during lockdown, said the only thing people could do was to 'adapt,' but admitted he struggles with how unpredictable the disease is. Sign up to receive information regarding NS events, subscription offers & product updates. Mr Rajan's apology comes after his BBC documentary the Princes and The Press is understood to have sparked fury at the Palace, with the Queen said to have been "upset" by the show. All rights reserved. She is a COLUMNIST, he says, of Platell. He was raised in Tooting, south-west London, and, after attending Graveney School, took a gap year to work in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before going on to read English literature at Downing College, Cambridge. A trivial point, perhaps, but one, say some colleagues, wholly in keeping with the character of the man whose reputation at the Beeb is hardly that of a shrinking violet. A BBC journalist was today slammed for joking about throwing a brick at Kate Middleton and Prince William in unearthed tweets. 'It's the best possible antidote to cynicism about young people, allowing millions of us to test our wits against the best minds of a new generation, and annoy and impress our families by barking answers from the sofa.'. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Amol Rajan will be new host of University Challenge. "However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.". The broadcaster said the Duchess of Sussex had asked it to 'clarify' that she had, in fact, apologised for 'not remembering' asking her former PR chief to help with the controversial royal biography Finding Freedom. The broadcaster became the face of the revived University Challenge when it returned after a hiatus, The host with the2013 University Of Manchester team. ", Also among the tweets was one posted on June 16, 2012 - the day of Trooping the Colour - when Mr Rajan said: "This utterly relentless, spirit-crushing monarchist propaganda on the BBC is making me ill. A former researcher on University Challenge has heavily criticised the BBC for appointing Amol Rajan as Jeremy Paxmans replacement. Last year, he sparked anger from the Royal Family over a documentary about Prince William and Harry and their relationship with the media which was criticised as inaccurate - although the BBC defended it. Think of the Swiss photocall at which a boom mic picked up Prince Charles observing the dutiful ranks of royal press. . To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. All rights reserved. The BBC's media editor, 39, was confirmed to be taking over from Paxman last year, after the 72 . I did very much enjoy his book on spin bowlers, though a much better way of spending an evening than having champagne misted halitotically over you by a parade of dickheads who imagine that their work is hugely significant. Amol is an experienced BBC journalist who reports on all of the topics he covers in an impartial way and in line with the BBC's editorial guidelines. But the presenter, who has three grown-up children with ex partner Elizabeth Clough, said he refused to be 'beaten down' by the condition and said he hoped it would not totally incapacitate him. The broadcaster had been the host of the BBC show since 1994, making him the longest-serving quizmaster on UK TV. Rajan has also been involved in other controversies. Those offended felt she was questioning their identity and even attacking their human rights, which they argue is a form of discrimination or hate speech., While he went on to claim that he takes no view whatsoever on the issues she raised, he added: I do take an issue on abuse and trolling, and Rowling has achieved the inglorious honour of topping many a league table for those., The BBC said at the time:Amol made clear he was not taking a view on the subject of JK Rowlings essay and acknowledged the severity of offence that some people had taken to what shed written. If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you. The BBC said she had 'no intention to mislead the court on this'. There are people in the legal profession flabbergasted at the size of the damages that. They never STOP briefing. Before joining the BBC, Rajan was the final editor of the print edition of the Independent, having been appointed to the role aged 29 in 2013 by the owner, Evgeny Lebedev. It has emerged the host of Radio 4's flagship Today programme described the Duke of Edinburgh as a "racist buffoon", the Prince of Wales as "scientifically illiterate" and said events to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee were "little more than the industrialisation of mediocrity". He was the editor of the Independent, they must have thought, hell understand, hell listen, hell take me seriously. Amol Rajan's University Challenge disaster | The Spectator Congratulations to Amol Rajan, who adds the mantle of University Challenge host to his burgeoning portfolio of BBC jobs. Mr Rajan, who used to edit The Independent, has since apologised, saying he "deeply regrets" the "foolish" and "immature" remarks. Rajans presenting style has begun to attract comment from even the most cautious of commentators, with the Financial Times recently describing him dryly as the BBCs increasingly ubiquitous presenter. His apology referred to comments he had made while writing for The Independent back in 2012 - and was later extended to the tweets. Isn't that what the Wokies do when distasteful, hateful old tweets emerge?". In the meantime, the Sun and Mail have called loudly for the smelling salts over this look at the princes relations with the media, citing such outrages as the documentary having annoyed members of the royal family, and Rajans previously expressed republican views. Oborne accused BBC media editor and former Independent editor Amol Rajan of being a "crony journalist" during a live interview with him on BBC Radio 2 yesterday. He will now step down from his Media Editor role andbegin filming early next year and be seen on screen from autumn 2023. The Mail in particular has run a number of articles and columns by the likes of Janet Street-Porter, in which he is energetically trashed. Yes he did when he was 18, the year before he went to university. It gives me hope for the future.'. Earlier this month, ITV announced a documentary in which Mr Paxman will reflect on his diagnosis and meet those at the forefront of research. The documentary prompted the broadcast of a Christmas carol service led by the Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey to be moved from the BBC to ITV. Whatever it is, they can all be seen enjoying themselves mightily in Amol Rajans new documentary series, The Princes and the Press. Born in Leeds, Mr Paxman started his career in 1972 on the BBC's graduate trainee programme, working in local radio and reporting on the Troubles in Belfast. The series also has a new titles sequence, set to be revealed when the show returns this summer. Jamie Oliver seen with Jock Zonfrillo just hours before his death was announced, Bride and Prejudice reality star dies after being hit by intoxicated driver, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo dies aged 46 leaving family devastated. The New Statesmans global affairs newsletter, every Monday and Friday. Meghan And The Media - to accompany broadcaster Amol Rajan's BBC2 . Veteran broadcaster Paxman, 72, announced he was due to step down from the long-running quiz show after nearly three decades earlier this week. On both counts: so what? Another said: "After the Bashir debacle, HOW can the BBC turn a blind eye to Amol Rajan and his vile tweets going back to 2012? Call this healthy? Next year hes presenting two documentaries on social mobility, remarks Janet tartly, a subject he seems to know very well. Righto. He said: Being asked to host my favourite TV programme is dream-come-true territory. The second part of the doc was titled 'Sussexit'- after Harry said the term 'Megxit' was a misogynistic term that was "created by a troll [and] amplified by royal correspondents". He wrote: 'When it comes to our absurd monarchy, journalists are so bamboozled by aristocratic wealth that they can only portray a confected picture to their audience. University Challenge first aired in 1962 hosted by Bamber Gascoigne and this year celebrates its 60th anniversary as Britain's longest running TV quiz show. The BBC's 2021/22 annual report showed Rajan was on a salary of 325,000-329,999 and is expected to be paid more as the host of University Challenge. I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber, and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. She explained how she had worked on making casting more diverse, with more female, non-binary and queer students on the programme the ever before, as well as a significant number of neurodiverse students. In a 2012 article about the Queen's Diamond Jubilee written for the newspaper, Rajan described the Duke of Edinburgh as a 'racist buffoon' and the Prince of Wales as 'scientifically illiterate'. BBC journalist Amol Rajan, who fronted the new BBC Two documentary The Princes and the Press, has issued an apology following comments he made in regards to the royal family back in 2012, where. To recap: the BBCs media editor, Rajan, has now been the subject of days of unfavourable press and reported outrage from the royal family for saying that William and Harrys households briefed against each other. One hopes he was being ironic. Rajan made his 'brick joke' in response to a tweet by his Independent colleague Rebecca Armstrong, on September 23, 2012. Rajan said: I have spent years re-arranging Monday nights around the need to be in front of my television at 20.30. Just before the 8am pips on Radio 4s flagship current affairs programme last Friday, one of the presenters issued the traditional reminder to listeners: Youre listening to Today on Radio 4 with Amol Rajan and Justin Webb. . The Daily Mail unearthed a number of Twitter posts from the star between 2010 - 2013, including a joke that he was about to "throw a brick at Kate and Wills". Paying tribute to former hosts, he said:'I am very conscious that in the late, great Bamber, and that giant of British culture, Jeremy, I have vast shoes to fill. As longtime observers of so-called Fleet Street will be aware, living down to expectations is a constant burden. Rajan, a former editor of The Independent, was forced to apologise after making incendiary remarks about the royals in articles written for the newspaper in 2012. One of the most hilarious genres is the first-person article by either the legendary royal correspondent or the legendary royal photographer, along the lines of: Whats happened to my former cheeky-chappie friend Prince Harry? To which the answer is: hes not your friend, he never liked you and there was never any mutual respect for each others work. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. OK, but these are distant past events. But I expect theyll shut up now. Ms Armstrong had written: "Watching a mad cat programme on Animal Planet. He added that the diagnosis made him feel depressed, but that he didn't feel it was a series of symptoms. Offence is the price of free speech. The presenter also said he didn't want to join a support group because he was suspicious of them. "Amol is an experienced BBC journalist who reports on all of the topics he covers in an impartial way and in line with the BBC's editorial guidelines. When I was 18 I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), he said. ", Someone else added: "Has Amol Rajan been cancelled yet? Last modified on Thu 18 Aug 2022 13.13 EDT. By Rory Tingle and James Robinson and Claire Toureille For Mailonline, Published: 10:17 BST, 18 August 2022 | Updated: 14:22 BST, 18 August 2022. "Amol is an experienced BBC journalist who reports on all of the topics he covers in an impartial way and in line with the BBCs editorial guidelines., Huge blow to Starmer as Brits say Sunak best leader & reject woke Labour, Shock Sky favourite in talks to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday, Everton captain Coleman rushed to hospital after suffering horror knee injury, Warning as popular cheese removed from supermarkets over deadly bacteria fears, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. A newsletter showcasing the finest writing from the ideas section, covering political ideas, philosophy, criticism and intellectual history - sent every Wednesday.