BREAKING NEWS: BBC radio star ‘quits show’ in huge blow to broadcaster
The show also recently lost presenter Amol Rajan.
Today presenter Emma Barnett joined the show in 2024 (Image: BBC)
BBC’s flagship radio show Today looks set to face a further blow as broadcaster Emma Barnett is reportedly set to exit the programme less than two years after joining. The 41-year-old, who first appeared on the show in April 2024 after three years of presenting Woman’s Hour, is reportedly set to leave “within weeks”. However she is reported to be staying with the BBC and has allegedly been in “long discussions” over helming a new current affairs podcast for BBC Sounds.
These latest rumours come just weeks after Amol Rajan, 43, left the show after joining in 2021. He also helms University Challenge on BBC One. Sources told the iPaper that her departure is expected soon, and she’s “excited to move on to her next challenge”. The BBC appears unphased by the reports and are said to believe there will always be rumours and speculation about the Today programme and its presenters. Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Emma Barnett for comment.
On September 2, Amol struggled to hold back tears as he delivered his final farewell live on air after five years presenting the show.
The University Challenge host began the show admitting that he was “feeling really nervous”, saying goodbye to his listeners one last time.
He confessed: “Not to try and turn the tables and interview you, but do you think I’ve made a terrible mistake?” he asked Emma during the show.
“I’ve just been looking at the people in the gallery. After more than 1,000 hours, hundreds of pips, a few crashes, it is time to say goodbye.
Barnett is rumoured to be leaving the Today show after less than two years (Image: PA)
“It has been such an honour sitting in this studio with you, Emma, with all the presenters, but above all, with the amazing team behind the glass. I wanted to say thanks above all for your friendship and forbearance.
“I hope you know how seriously we take your time and trust. To the incredible producers on Today and across BBC News, to all my incredible, heroic colleagues who are here today, over the past decade in fact, you are the best in the business, and we are so incredibly lucky to know.”
The 43-year-old journalist announced in January this year that he would be leaving after joining the team back in 2021.
Since the start of the year, the BBC has been making significant changes to some of its biggest shows in a bid to save £500million by 2028.
