Amol Rajan is stepping down from BBC Radio 4's Today programme to establish his own business in the creator economy, he has announced.
The 42-year-old broadcaster, who has been part of the flagship morning show's presenting team since 2021, confirmed his departure on Thursday.
Mr Rajan joined the corporation in 2016 as its inaugural media editor before moving to the Today programme, where he effectively filled the vacancy left by John Humphrys.
The presenter described his decision to leave as potentially "mad" but expressed enthusiasm about his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Amol Rajan has interviewed a number of politicians and public figures during his time at Today
|BBC
"20 years after I first flirted with the idea, I'm extremely excited to jump into the Great Digital Narnia of the Creator Economy, and build my own company," he said.
Mr Rajan paid tribute to his colleagues, comparing the Today team to "the editorial version of Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, or Steve Waugh's Australia" and praising the leadership of editor Owenna Griffiths and Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya.
"I genuinely couldn't be prouder of Amol Rajan Interviews, which will stand the test of time," he added, referencing his BBC Two interview series.
"Travelling all around the world (or indeed Essex) to spend so much time with so many icons has been an unforgettable privilege."
Amol Rajan will continue to work at the BBC on other projects
|BBC
The presenter invoked the spirit of Only Fools and Horses when explaining his motivation. "Del Boy was my hero growing up, and it's time to unleash my inner entrepreneur," Mr Rajan declared.
He emphasised that he was "very much not leaving the BBC", describing the corporation as "Britain's noblest cultural institution".
Despite his departure from the news programme, Mr Rajan will maintain a presence on the BBC through his other roles. He will continue hosting University Challenge, which he has presented since 2023, as well as the Radical with Amol Rajan podcast.
The BBC's editorial guidelines would likely have made it impossible for Rajan to remain as a news presenter whilst simultaneously running his own commercial venture.
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Amol Rajan will continue to front University Challenge
| BBCMs Griffiths praised the departing presenter as "an exceptional talent with a rare combination of intellectual dexterity, impressive breadth of interest and a brilliant sense of humour".
She added that Mr Rajan "will be sorely missed" and noted he had always championed the work of producers behind the scenes.
John McAndrew, the BBC's director of live and daily news, described Mr Rajan as having brought "a real breath of fresh air" to the programme.
Mr Rajan becomes the third presenter to depart the Today programme within a two-year period. Mishal Husain and Martha Kearney both left before him, with Anna Foster and Emma Barnett stepping into their respective roles.
The remaining presenting team comprises Justin Webb, a fixture on the programme since 2009, and Nick Robinson, who succeeded James Naughtie a decade ago.
The BBC confirmed that an announcement regarding Rajan's successor would follow in due course.