Mishal Husain to leave BBC

My experience at the BBC has been filled with unforgettable moments, allowing me to visit locations I would have never seen otherwise, experience historical events, and engage in national discussions on Radio 4. I will always appreciate the opportunities the BBC provided me, and I wish the organization and all its members continued success in the future.

Mishal Husain is set to depart from the BBC at the start of the new year.

Mishal has been a host on the Today show for the past eleven years and also runs The Today Debate, along with facilitating the recent general election discussions for BBC UK. She began her journey with the BBC in 1998 and had earlier worked as a presenter for BBC World News.

Mishal Husain reflects: "My experience at the BBC has been filled with unforgettable experiences, visiting locations I would never have had the chance to explore, seeing history unfold, and engaging in live discussions that resonate across the nation on Radio 4."

"I will always appreciate the chances the BBC provided me, and I wish the organization and everyone involved nothing but the best."

Owenna Griffiths, the editor of Today, expresses, "Mishal is not just a talented journalist and excellent presenter; she is also a wonderfully kind and considerate teammate. I feel truly fortunate to have worked with her, and along with everyone on the Today team, I will greatly miss her. However, I wish her all the success in her future endeavors."

Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, expresses her thoughts: "Mishal departs the BBC, leaving behind an outstanding legacy in journalism. After over ten years on the Today program, she heads off with our heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes for her future endeavors. I genuinely hope that one day, the BBC and Mishal will have the opportunity to collaborate again."

Mohit Bakaya, the Director of Speech and Controller of BBC Radio 4, praises Mishal's interviewing technique as both composed and thorough, highlighting it as a key element of her tenure on the Today program. He describes her as an exceptional journalist with a wide-ranging knowledge base. For over ten years, Radio 4 listeners have enjoyed her reassuring and familiar voice each morning. While we will truly miss her presence, we fully support her choice to change her schedule and wish her success in her future endeavors.

Mishal began her journey at the BBC in 1998 as a producer and transitioned to being a presenter on BBC World News in 2001. Throughout her career, she has worked both in the studio and in various locations around the globe, from the United States to the Middle East, South Asia, Singapore, and China. Notably, in 2014, she was the first journalist to report from the school in Peshawar, Pakistan, that was attacked by the Taliban. Her interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, conducted in 2017, gained international attention. Since 2013, Mishal has been one of the presenters on the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4, and she has also appeared on BBC News at Six and BBC News at Ten. Her television documentaries cover a range of topics, including a three-part series on Mahatma Gandhi, "How Facebook Changed the World," which explored the 2011 Arab uprisings, "Malala – Shot for Going to School," and "The Longest Reign," which was broadcast following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

She broadcasted live on Radio 4 when the news of Her Majesty's death was announced and reported from outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral. She also covered the King’s coronation the next year.

She earned the title of the Voice of the Viewer and Listener’s ‘Best Contributor to Audio’ in 2023 and moderated two election debates for the BBC during the 2024 elections, featuring Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer just days before the vote.

This year, she received the London Press Club's 'Broadcaster of the Year' award, and just earlier this month, she was honored with the Charles Wheeler Award for her exceptional contribution to British journalism.