Emma Barnett is set to quit the Today programme, just weeks after Amol Rajan’s departure, The i Paper understands, in a fresh blow to the flagship BBC current affairs show.
Barnett, who joined the line-up on BBC Radio 4 in 2024, is poised to leave after serving one of the shortest presenting stints in the programme’s history.
Colleagues said confirmation of her departure is expected within weeks, with the presenter excited to move on to her next challenge.
Barnett is expected to stay at the BBC and has been in long discussions over fronting a major new current affairs podcast for BBC Sounds, it is understood.
Barnett’s departure leaves the Radio 4 programme with just three permanent presenters – Justin Webb, Nick Robinson and Anna Foster.
When Rajan left to set up his own YouTube channel, the BBC said he would not be replaced.
The five-strong team would be reduced to four as part of £50m savings in the News department – part of the BBC’s wider £500m emergency savings drive.
The Today programme’s Saturday edition is now fronted by just one presenter, with a rotating cast of BBC correspondents covering the gaps left by Rajan.
Insiders have warned that more listeners could abandon Today if it does not replenish its team, after shedding two presenters in quick succession.
‘Today needs new full-time presenter’
One senior figure said: “There has to be a new full-time presenter now. And it needs to be someone who is going to stick around. Listeners want stability. Amol and Emma were not here very long, compared with past figures.”
Rajan spent five years at Today, whilst Barnett lasted just two. John Humphrys, by contrast, hung up his mic in 2019 after 32 years.
Barnett with co-presenter Amol Rajan in 2024. Rajan left the programme earlier this month to launch his own YouTube channel (Photo: Emma Barnett/Instagram)Webb is Today‘s longest-serving current presenter, with 17 years on the programme.
Barnett, who earned up to £310,000 at the BBC last year, has made pilots of a “newsier” version of her Ready to Talk podcast, featuring “playful and provocative” deep dives into topical issues, BBC insiders said. The podcast would be published several times a week.
Names tipped to play a more prominent role in her absence include BBC Europe editor Katya Adler and chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman. Both impressed bosses when they filled in over the summer, The i Paper understands.
Political Editor Chris Mason is also tipped for a future transfer to Today, but bosses may want him to stay in his current position in case Andy Burnham calls an early election next spring.
Barnett returned to the programme in August after undergoing major surgery for a hysterectomy and endometriosis. As a regular columnist for The i Paper, she wrote about the debilitating pain caused by her endometriosis diagnosis.
Barnett clashed with Badenoch
This week, the presenter received both praise and criticism after a particularly combative interview with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
There had been reports of tensions between Barnett, who joined Today from Woman’s Hour, and her co-presenter Robinson.
One colleague said: “You don’t turn Today down. But it became quickly apparent that it probably wasn’t an environment that suited her. She is better leading a programme on her own than with a team.”
The BBC was approached for comment. A source said: “Chatter and speculation about Today presenters is a perennial.”
Despite competition from podcasts and breakfast TV, Today still enjoys a weekly audience of 5.8m listeners and a reputation for setting the nation’s daily agenda. However, its audience has been in a steady decline since hitting a peak of 7.8m in 2018.
Presenters who made their mark on the show with extended stints include Brian Redhead (1975-1993) and James Naughtie (1994-2015). Des Lynam enjoyed one of the shortest tenures, from 1974-76, before switching to TV as a sports presenter.
Wider BBC cuts
The upheaval at Today follows staff turmoil, amid a cuts process which will see 200 News jobs go, with more set to follow.
Chief news presenters and correspondents will leave the BBC as it shifts its resources from broadcast TV news to digital platforms.
The possibility of a Today role opening up could see a scramble for the position among on-screen editors and correspondents whose positions are currently under review.
Emma Barnett was contacted for comment.
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