Amol Rajan joins BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as presenter

Rajan will also present a new interview series for BBC Two and a two-part royal documentary

A new host will be appointed for ‘The Media Show’, the Radio 4 show which Rajan currently presents (PA)

BBC media editor Amol Rajan has been appointed as a presenter on Radio 4’s flagship Today programme.

He will become the fifth regular host on the current affairs show, alongside Justin Webb, Mishal Husain, Martha Kearney and Nick Robinson.

It follows the depature in September 2019 of John Humphrys, who stood down after more than 30 years on the programme which attracts more than 7 million listeners a week.

Rajan, a former editor at The Independent, will continue as media editor at the broadcaster and will also front a new interview series for BBC Two in addition to a two-part royal documentary.

However, a new host will be found for The Media Show, which Rajan currently presents.

Rajan said: “The Today programme is one of the most powerful institutions in British journalism and the prevailing winds of our time make its job, and influence, yet more vital.

“It has a world-class team, both on and off air, under strong and effective new leadership.

“My aim is just to do them, and our listeners, proud. I’ve no intention of trying to reinvent news, and think the best thing is to keep it simple. Be fair, get to the truth, and don’t screw up.”

Owenna Griffiths was appointed the editor of the programme last year following the departure of Sarah Sands.

The royal documentary presented by Rajan will “tell the definitive story of one of the most dramatic periods for a generation”.

It will cover “the years in which the younger royals – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – have charted very different courses in their relationship with the media”, the broadcaster said.

In the new interview series, Rajan will carry out “in-depth interviews with high-profile global guests who are shaping the way we live today, from tech barons to business leaders to cultural influencers”.

BBC director of news Fran Unsworth said: “Amol conducts interviews with sharpness and grace, and I’m delighted we’ll be able to showcase that to the widest possible audience across BBC Two and the Today programme.”