BBC Radio 1 has announced that Greg James will take over as the new presenter of its Breakfast Show, with Nick Grimshaw set to move to the Drivetime slot.
The pair made the revelation live on air on May 31, and the news comes after Grimshaw became the second-longest running Breakfast Show presenter in Radio 1 history, beating the record previously held by Tony Blackburn. Grimshaw began hosting the show in 2012.
Grimshaw and James will begin their new shows in the autumn.
Grimshaw commented: “It was always my dream to do the breakfast show and I’m very grateful that I got to live my dream every day for what will be nearly six years.
“But six years is a long time and this isn’t a forever job. I had the time of my life. I’ve decided it’s time for a change and a new show. I love Radio 1 and can’t wait to get on with the new time slot and the removal of all alarms from my house. I’m so happy to be swapping shows with my friend and yours Greg James, and can’t wait to wake up to him each morning. Not literally. Just on the radio. Unless he’s up for it.”
James added: “I am completely beside myself that I've been given the chance to present the most famous radio show in the world. It really doesn’t get any bigger than this and I really want to build on the great work Grimmy has done.
“The listeners have become like mates during the 10 years I've been on air, so to be there when they wake up is a real honour. They’re always front and centre and this will of course be the case on the new Breakfast Show. It's going to be the most enjoyable challenge I've ever undertaken and I can't wait to get started.”
I love Radio 1 and can’t wait to get on with the new time slot and the removal of all alarms from my house
Nick Grimshaw
Ben Cooper, controller of Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network said: “Greg gets his childhood dream, Grimmy gets a lie-in and the Radio 1 audience gets two exciting new shows with the biggest and most popular youth presenters in the country.
“I’m so proud that Radio 1 produces and nurtures the best talent in the industry – I gave Greg his first show when he joined us from student radio and now he’s getting the most famous radio gig in the world – it’s going to be fantastic. Grimmy’s done a brilliant job reinventing the feel and tone of the breakfast show by connecting with new audiences in new ways in the digital age.”
The announcement also follows the reveal of Radio 1’s new weekend schedule, which will include shows from Dev and Alice Levine, Maya Jama, Matt Edmondson and Mollie King plus Scott Mills.
BBC Radio 1 and 2 celebrated their 50th anniversaries last year, and we celebrated the occasion on the cover of the first edition of Music Week’s redesigned print edition.
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