BRITISH ASIAN presenter, Amol Rajan, has revealed his admiration for "pale, male, and stale" figures, expressing his respect for traditional figures of authority and intellectual weight.
“I’m a big fan of pale, male and stale people, figures of white middle-class authority or intellectual heft. I don’t assume those people are guilty until proven innocent,” Rajan told Radio Times.
Rajan, 40, took over hosting the BBC quiz show, University Challenge, in July from Jeremy Paxman, who had been at the helm for 29 years. Before Paxman, Bamber Gascoigne hosted the show for 25 years.
Rajan described Gascoigne as a "godlike figure."
Acknowledging the burden he feels as a non-white and non-public school-educated individual, Rajan addressed criticism questioning his suitability for the role.
Having earned up to £339,999 for presenting BBC Radio 4's Today programme last year, he expressed confidence in his abilities and emphasised the importance of being himself with authority.
“I have enough self-confidence to know that in the end they’ll realise that I’m not stupid. The biggest thing I can do for them is to be myself with authority. I feel a pressure to be exceptionally competent," he was quoted as saying.
Reflecting on viewer comments comparing him to Dr Claw, the villain from Inspector Gadget, Rajan joked that he would be in a "marginally smaller" chair in the next series of the show.
Clive Myrie, the Mastermind host, emphasised the significance of a diverse presenter lineup at the BBC, stating that it reflects the broader British audience.
Myrie, 59, acknowledged that he initially underestimated the importance of following in the footsteps of predecessors John Humphrys and Magnus Magnusson. He credited George Alagiah for highlighting the significance of his role.
Data from Creative Diversity Network revealed that in 2021-22, 28 per cent of individuals appearing on-screen in BBC TV shows were from black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)