University Challenge team struggle with drag slang question
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One of the contributors to University Challenge has voiced their concern over the decision to hand the presenting duties of the show to Amol Rajan. Lilian Crawford, who wrote the famously tricky questions of the show, is unhappy with BBC bosses due to an article the new host wrote surrounding free speech.
Amol was named the new host of University Challenge, replacing Jeremy Paxman on the iconic BBC show, on Thursday.
The announcement came as a shock to many in the industry and beyond, but the surprise was not welcomed by all involved in the show.
A researcher of the programme hit out at the decision to hire the Radio 4 broadcaster after Amol’s praise of the author JK Rowling’s writing style.
Lilian felt the representation on University Challenge from the LGBTQ+ community was vital in making the show more inclusive and hiring Amol will undermine that hard work.
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The former writer for the show tweeted her dismay at the decision.
Citing the announcement, she told her 3,629 followers: “Rajan isn’t who I’d been told. This is worse.
“A man who has applauded the ‘bravery’ of TERFs [trans-exclusionary radical feminists] is taking over a show with one of the biggest queer/trans representations on TV.”
She added: “It sends a clear signal and undoes so much work done to make all students feel welcome and safe.”‘
Her preferred choice to the former colleague of Jeremy Paxman was the deputy presenter Samira Ahmed.
Lilian added: “It’s hard to sit on this University Challenge thing. I had been so excited to see Samira as the new host, but someone High Up at the Beeb has chosen someone else. If it’s who I believe it is, it’s a bad decision.”
Reflecting on the diverse nature of the long-running quiz show, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, the former question writer voiced her concern of the change in the programme going to waste.
She added: “This year’s series of University Challenge has no all-male teams. There are more female, non-binary, and queer students on the programme than ever before.
“I am so proud to have been involved in casting this cohort, and for having supported them through the entire process.”
The writer continued to state the host has an important role in welcoming guests and encouraging people at university to join the BBC show.
Lilian concluded: “From the feedback they have given me, it meant a lot to them, and a significant number of neurodiverse students as well, to have a queer autistic woman (who had been on the show) by their side at every step.
“Comfort and safety is at the core – who hosts the show is part of that.”
The comments which sparked this reaction are from a blog post by Amol who praised JK Rowling’s writing style and bravery, in an article she wrote about trans issues.
In the blog in 2020 the new University Challenge host wrote: “We should all applaud bravery in writers – even those with whom we disagree.”
Amol added: “Offence is the price of free speech. Those offended felt she was questioning their identity and even attacking their human rights, which they argue is a form of discrimination or hate speech.”
The BBC told Express.co.uk: “Amol made clear he was not taking a view on the subject of JK Rowling’s essay and acknowledged the severity of offence that some people had taken to what she’d written.
“He did not detract from that when he objectively praised the writing style, her honesty in talking about her own experiences of domestic and sexual abuse, and the bravery required to express a viewpoint knowing it will lead to further online abuse.”
University Challenge returns to BBC One on August 29 at 8.30pm
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