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.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)