2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Chiara Fiorillo, Shaurya Shaurya)
BBC journalist Mishal Husain is reportedly planning to leave her role on the Radio 4 Today show after an 11-year stint. It has been reported that discussions are ongoing with BBC executives about a new position for Ms Husain, who joined the programme in 2013. Currently overseas filming a BBC TV show, she is expected to return to Today soon.
It's understood the broadcaster, who earned £345,000 last year, will continue to be on air into the new year, but plans to take a break thereafter. It remains uncertain whether she will permanently return to the show. A source revealed that the BBC is working closely with Ms Husain, who is "very highly thought of" within the corporation.
A source told The Times, as reported by the Mirror : "After 11 years Mishal has reached the point where the 3.30am alarm call is no longer a welcome noise. She is very highly thought of and there will be an extremely big effort to make sure that she's accommodated well elsewhere.
" Ms Husain co-presents the news and current affairs show with Emma Barnett, Justin Webb, Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson. In a June interview with The Sunday Times, she hinted at her departure from the show, stating she was "thinking about what is beyond Today" and "wondering what the next act of my career might look like." For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter Her broadcasting journey started at just 18 when she took on a role as a city reporter in Islamabad.
Afterward, she built her experience at the BBC with various stints and landed a role on Radio 4's Today Programme in 2013, working alongside John Humphrys. Ms Husain is also a familiar presence on BBC News at Six, the weekday edition of BBC News at Ten, and notable breaking news events. Last week saw a significant change at the BBC as Zoe Ball publicised her departure from the Breakfast Show, with Scott Mills set to fill her shoes after the festive period.
It is reported that one of the principal reasons behind Zoe's exit was the passing of her mother Julia in April. March saw Zoe take a hiatus from her broadcast duties to be by her mother's side. Zoe came back to the airwaves momentarily in August but then took a sabbatical in September, which is when she reportedly reflected on her life and elected to leave her show.
Zoe became Chris Evans' successor in 2019 and will have her last slot on December 20th. Speaking about her plans, Zoe assured fans that she was not "going to be a stranger". She affirmed that she'll remain with the "Radio 2 crew" but withheld further specifics.
In her words, she said: "While I'm stepping away from the Breakfast Show, I'm not disappearing entirely - I'll still be part of the Radio 2 family, with more news in the New Year." The BBC did not comment on the story..
