Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To strongly dislike Amol Rajan as a presenter?

277 replies

rellies · 26/04/2023 09:10

He’s now a presenter of Today on Radio 4. I can’t stand him. He doesn’t talk clearly, he mumbles all the time. He often seems ill-prepared for interviews and conducts them in such a casual manner which I suspect is his way of dealing with his nerves/lack of preparation. In TV interviews he slouches in his seat which just looks so unprofessional. Now he’s got the University Challenge gig. Why do people keep hiring him ? I wish he would just go away.

OP posts:
Guiltridden12345 · 17/07/2023 22:13

Willmafrockfit · 17/07/2023 20:51

Faisal Islam also difficult to understand i agree - shame

No he’s not!

RachelNoire · 17/07/2023 22:16

Icanttellyouanything · 17/07/2023 22:03

University Challenge need to buy him a smaller desk, it's too big and made me wonder if his feet reached the floor. Dp suggested a booster cushion and to be fair it would be cheaper than a whole new desk.

Yep I thought the same! It was very distracting wondering if his feet were dangling under that desk.

the80sweregreat · 17/07/2023 22:17

I don't mind him at all
He seems personable enough

ForTheSnarkWasABoojumYouSee · 17/07/2023 22:19

I thought he had a nice rapport with the contestants.

IsThePopeCatholic · 17/07/2023 22:22

I think he’s great. Relaxed and affable.

Mercibuckets · 17/07/2023 22:23

Oh yeah- people have mentioned Mishal Hussain. She is wonderful and I love her voice. Love Victoria Derbyshire on Newsnight although I miss Emily Maitlis who is a fantastic interviewer incredibly sharp and charismatic. No idea why anyone thinks Faisal Islam is unclear I think he’s a good presenter just the woman on newsnight are really really good.

Lanadelday · 17/07/2023 22:23

I don't find Faisal Islam difficult to understand, just dont think he's great at interviews or as an anchor. I liked him when he was a reporter.

SuperGinger · 17/07/2023 22:25

Amol is so smart, he is a great interviewer. I saw him the other day in the street and was very excited. Poor man looked a bit embarrassed but said hello. Nick Robinson is such an egotist, I find him rather tedious.

Taylorscat · 17/07/2023 22:28

I really like him as well. The presenters are pretty good at the moment

EmmaPaella · 17/07/2023 22:29

Bookist · 17/07/2023 21:48

I don't think I have ever watched him on TV without him crow barring that he went to Oxford into the conversation.

He went to Cambridge.

Taylorscat · 17/07/2023 22:29

I’m afraid I can’t stand Victoria Derbyshire - like pp said, it’s personal preference, I know she’s popular but I switch off.

Mishal Hussain is my favourite - just so intelligent

whiteroseredrose · 17/07/2023 22:30

Just found this. DH and I don't like his voice because he has slurry diction. Irritating at 6am.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 17/07/2023 22:33

Bookist · 17/07/2023 21:48

I don't think I have ever watched him on TV without him crow barring that he went to Oxford into the conversation.

Oh dear, how embarrassing.
For you…

HowardKirksConscience · 17/07/2023 22:39

Spanielsarepainless · 17/07/2023 21:29

I thought he was OK presenting University Challenge this evening. Except he said 'haitch' instead of 'aitch' which made me gnash my teeth. He rattled the pace along very well.

Be careful - I was strongly criticised on another thread for maintaining that ‘haitch’ was incorrect…

Gremlins101 · 17/07/2023 22:47

I don't know anything about him yet but my mum likes him. My dad likes him too. Uni challenge was a big deal in their household this evening with the new presenter on. He passed their criteria anyway!

Bookist · 17/07/2023 22:49

MandyMotherOfBrian · 17/07/2023 22:33

Oh dear, how embarrassing.
For you…

Show quote history

Not especially. I knew it was Oxbridge but couldn't remember which.

Clingfilm · 17/07/2023 22:52

Someone up thread said he has weird intonation, yes, this! Like he's reading an autoque and the commas are in the wrong place. I also think he sounds full of himself, not sure how he's ended up a jack of all BBC trades, master of none.

Heard his tracks of my years on radio 2, he said he never listened to the radio growing up yet he's filled in for Zoe Ball and is now on radio 4's flagship programme.

Sad to think there are regional talented DJs out there who won't get a look in.

My opinion might be tainted by the fact he'd never heard Boys of Summer by Don Henley til he played it on radio 2 breakfast show, I mean!

NashvilleQueen · 17/07/2023 22:55

I really like him

TarquinOliverNimrod · 17/07/2023 22:56

MandyMotherOfBrian · 17/07/2023 22:33

Oh dear, how embarrassing.
For you…

Show quote history

Is it possible to feel embarrassment on an entirely anonymous forum 🤔

GirlySwot73 · 17/07/2023 23:01

I was watching it with my kids. DS11 thought the new set made it look like an ITV game show "from the olden days," and DS15 did mention that Amol was really speeding up the questions towards the end and it was hard to hear them. Bit weird that he was reading the questions out of a bread bin.
I don't like change!!! 😅
I do find him mumbly on Today. And he does sound like he's reading aloud....

Ebony69 · 17/07/2023 23:02

Bookist · 17/07/2023 22:49

Not especially. I knew it was Oxbridge but couldn't remember which.

Show quote history

Now you’re just trying to style it out. If he boasted about the name of the university as frequently as you claim he has, surely you’d remember?

WeAreTheHeroes · 17/07/2023 23:10

Reading the questions out of a breadbin! He reminded me of Baron Greenback behind the too big desk. I'll grudgingly give him an, "He was okay". I still dislike him on Today, although he has improved since he first started and is not quite so annoying. My favourites are Mishal and Justin.

Fluffygoon · 17/07/2023 23:11

He did a fantastic interview with Billie Jean King, great questions and sat back to allow her to talk.

the80sweregreat · 18/07/2023 02:25

I only watch university challenge occasionally to see if I can beat my personal best of answering three questions one time! Lol
He didn't seem as bad tempered as Paxman was but he did look too small behind a big desk.
I don't listen to radio four ( prefer lbc in the morning) but on tv he comes across ok.

Willmafrockfit · 18/07/2023 06:12

Guiltridden12345 · 17/07/2023 22:13

No he’s not!

Show quote history

i find him so,
as was Robert Peston, although i liked him

Swipe left for the next trending thread