The BBC have announced who will be replaceming Mishal Husain after the journalist left her role on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme at the end of last year after 11 years on the show

The BBC have made a huge announcement following the surprise exit of one of its radio presenters.

Mishal Husain unexpectedly left BBC 4 in December. Mishal was on of the Today programme’s main presenters but concluded her 26-year career with the organisation before the turn of the year

Now, it’s been revealed she is being replaced by former Middle East correspondent Anna Foster. The former BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 1’s Newsbeat presenter is stepping in to present a number of editions of the show from Salford. It marks the BBC’s efforts to represent more areas of the UK beyond London.

Mishal Husain left the BBC in December 2024 ( 
Image:
BBC)
Anna said in a statement following the announcement: “There are few more exciting opportunities for a journalist than presenting Today, and I’m thrilled to be joining the team. I’ve always loved making important, agenda-setting, engaging radio, and there’s nowhere better to do that. It’s such a beloved programme to so many people, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The BBC also said that Foster’s role in covering foreign news wouldn’t stop, with the company saying viewers will still see her on TV coverage of major stories. Speaking following the announcement, the station’s controller Mohit Bakaya said: “She brings important international reporting experience at a time when it is needed so urgently by listeners to Radio 4.”

Anna has been one of a number of people to have taking on a co-host role on Today in the weeks since Mishal’s exit. Simon Jack and Jonny Dymond have also stepped in, but it’s reported BBC wanted a female host to be Mishal’s replacement in order to maintain gender balance on the show. Currently, the show’s other presenters include Emma Barnett, Justin Webb, Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson.

Anna Foster is replacing Mishal ( 
Image:
BBC)
Mishal had joined the Today programme in 2013. However, she left her role to take on a new position at Bloomberg. Joining her co-presenters Nick Robinson and Justin Webb, as well as former Today hosts Sarah Montague and John Humphrys, the journalist took to the airwaves for one last time for the BBC in December. In her segment, she shared a few sentimental remarks about her time with the news outlet. She then closed with a heartfelt song that she felt best captured her emotions on her final day.

“The moment is now upon me, time to say farewell to this programme and to the BBC,” she told listeners on her final show. “In my time here, I have found more in me than I knew was there, and I journey on to discover what might lie within me. In the tradition of my faith, when people used to go on pilgrimage in generations past, they would not only take their leave of friends and associates, but they would ask for their forgiveness because, in those days, many did not return from the arduous journey.”

She added: “I hope, therefore, you might forgive me for the times I crashed the pips, squeezed the weather, any other dastardly deeds, and yes, the 1810 that did involve swearing. But my heartfelt thanks go to all my BBC colleagues across the UK and around the world and to you, wherever you are listening from, for your time and your trust. On this last morning, I have been allowed music and I am going to leave you with my choice.” The Monkees’ Daydream Believer then began playing, with the star adding: “From me, good morning and goodbye.”