Presenter Rory Cellan-Jones insists Parkinson’s diagnosis wasn’t reason for BBC departure

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Former BBC Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones Addresses Departure and Parkinson’s Podcast

Veteran journalist Rory Cellan-Jones, formerly the technology correspondent for BBC News, has clarified that his exit from the broadcaster in 2021 was unrelated to his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Cellan-Jones, 67, dedicated four decades to the prominent news organization and continued his work after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. In an exclusive interview, he stated unequivocally, “Firstly, my diagnosis was not the reason for leaving the BBC.”

He elaborated, “By the time of my departure, I had been living with the diagnosis for nearly three years, and it played no role in my decision to leave. In fact, I viewed leaving as a chance to revitalise my career, as one can become somewhat settled after four decades with a single employer. Subsequently, numerous opportunities arose quite organically.”

Venturing Beyond Broadcasting: Books and New Projects

Discussing his post-BBC endeavors, Cellan-Jones unveiled his diverse projects: “Following my BBC tenure, I completed a memoir about my mother. Simultaneously, my agent contacted me, relaying interest from five major publishers regarding a potential book about my rescue dog, Sophie. It seemed impolite to decline such interest.”

Sophie, his canine companion, has indeed gained considerable recognition. His book, “Sophie From Romania: A Year of Love and Hope with a Rescue Dog,” detailing her life, achieved bestseller status. Sophie has also made numerous television appearances and cultivated her own dedicated fanbase.

However, Sophie is not Cellan-Jones’s sole focus since leaving the BBC. The esteemed former correspondent, recognized with an OBE in the 2024 Birthday Honours for his contributions to journalism, explained his active schedule: “My three years since departing the BBC have been incredibly busy. I have authored two books, engaged in several podcasts, and established a Substack platform.”

Movers and Shakers: A Podcast on Life with Parkinson’s

A central undertaking is the “Movers and Shakers” podcast, which delves into the experiences of living with Parkinson’s and advocates for changes in societal attitudes and treatment approaches. New episodes of the weekly podcast, recorded in a Notting Hill pub, are released every Monday and are accessible on all major podcast platforms.

Podcast Acclaim and Impact

The podcast has garnered significant success, receiving the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Podcast of the Year in 2024. Cellan-Jones co-hosts the project with fellow former BBC presenters Gillian Lacey-Solymar and Mark Mardell.

The diverse hosting panel also includes Paul Mayhew-Archer, writer for Vicar of Dibley; Sir Nicholas Mostyn, a former prominent divorce lawyer and judge; and Jeremy Paxman, previously a Newsnight host. All six individuals are living with Parkinson’s.

Reflecting on the podcast, he enthusiastically shared: “It has become like our personal ‘university of Parkinson’s’. I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge. While I also write about the subject, and do not have a scientific background, certain aspects are quite complex.”

He continued, “Recently, I attended a Parkinson’s research day where numerous scientists presented their extensive projects, which was intellectually demanding.

Understanding the Varied Nature of Parkinson’s

“Collectively, we have all learned considerably, especially regarding the diverse nature of the condition and the challenges in effectively addressing it.”

“While it may not achieve mainstream popularity, the podcast resonates deeply with a highly engaged listenership. We consistently receive remarkable emails from individuals expressing the positive impact we have made. We also receive constructive feedback on areas for improvement.”

“I recently received a particularly impactful message from an 80-year-old man who described our group as ‘privileged,’ which is undeniably true given the backgrounds of a judge and individuals from television and journalism. We possess advantages.”

“This listener explained that he lives alone in rented accommodation with limited pension income, highlighting a vastly different lived experience compared to our own. I suggested to my colleagues that we dedicate an entire episode to his perspective, as it represents a significantly different reality of living with Parkinson’s.”

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