Respected broadcaster asks if the BBC “just has one presenter” in response to the BBC’s choice to choose Amol Rajan as the next host of University Challenge.
The nomination of the Today show anchor as Jeremy Paxman’s replacement has left colleagues ‘seething’ since ‘he gets every gig’.
And yesterday, it was reported that Rajan, 39, was given the job despite the fact that two female broadcasters were assured they would receive a screen test before the BBC reversed its decision.
There is concern that the network has appointed another male host for the longest-running television quiz show in the United Kingdom. Prior to Paxman, only Bamber Gascoigne had previously delivered the program.
This week it was announced that Paxman, 72, will be leaving the show after 28 years. The previous year, the former Newsnight host disclosed he was afflicted with Parkinson’s disease.
Times Radio host Mariella Frostrup poked fun at Rajan’s appointment by tweeting, ‘Have BBC staffing cuts become so severe that they have only one presenter? You adore Amol Rajan, but what about Mishal Husain, Samira Ahmed, and Kirsty Young? It would have been fantastic to see a woman win University Challenge. After all, it is just 2022!
A member of the public answered, “Perhaps it simply went to the most qualified candidate, regardless of gender.” Get off your sexist pedestal. However, a top BBC insider told The Mail+, “People are fuming.” He gets every gig going. They pay him so much that they are compelled to find him work.’
This week, it was revealed that Woman’s Hour host Emma Barnett, 37, and Front Row host Samira Ahmed, 54, have filled in for Paxman in recent months.
Miss Ahmed expressed on social media her desire to host the show. Two days later, however, the BBC announced Rajan’s appointment. The Sun stated yesterday that Miss Barnett and Miss Ahmed will undergo screen tests, but this never occurred. A BBC official contradicted the promise of these screen tests.
In addition to becoming the media editor for the company — a position he will vacate later this year – Rajan has been granted his own significant TV interview series.
He has formerly hosted The One Show and Radio 2. The BBC paid him up to £329,999 last year for his services with the organization.