A UNIVERSITY Challenge question writer has blasted new host Amol Rajan as a 'bad decision' by the BBC.
Amol, 39, was confirmed as the new host of University Challenge on Thursday, days after current host Jeremy Paxman revealed he would be stepping down later this year.
Journalist and broadcaster Amol will take over hosting duties next year, but a former researcher on the show wasn't too thrilled by the news.
Earlier in the week, Lillian Crawford shared how she had originally been ‘excited’ to see Samira Ahmed, a former stand by presenter, as the new host.
She tweeted: "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."
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She then added: "I voiced that at the time. I no longer work on the show."
However, it turned out the name she had heard was not Amol's, but Lillian was even less impressed by his appointment than who she had thought it was going to be.
Following the official announcement, she said: "Rajan isn’t who I’d been told. This is worse. A man who has applauded the “bravery” of TERFs is taking over a show with one of the biggest queer/trans representations on TV.
"It sends a clear signal and undoes so much work done to make all students feel welcome and safe."
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Her comments refer to Amol – who is the BBC's current media editor – decided to defend Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has faced a wave of criticism for her views on transgender people, in 2020.
Amol wrote at the time: "In a blog about the transgender debate, she offended many people. 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."
He added that he "takes no view" on the issues the author raised, but added: "I do take an issue on abuse and trolling, and Rowling has achieved the inglorious honour of topping many a league table for those."
The BBC said at the time: "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."
The Sun Online has contacted the BBC for comment.
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