Nick Grimshaw QUITS Radio One after 14 years: Jordan North and Vick Hope lined up as replacements
Nick Grimshaw leaves Radio One: BBC continues ‘diverse’ lineup reshuffle naming Jordan North and Vick Hope as his replacements after 14 year stint… weeks after Annie Mac’s departure
- The star, 36, made the shock announcement he’s quit BBC Radio 1 on Wednesday
- Insiders told MailOnline that Nick’s decision to leave ‘isn’t about money’
- They insisted that the presenter wants a new challenge after 14 years at the BBC
Nick Grimshaw has quit Radio 1 after 14 years at the station in the latest ‘diverse’ lineup reshuffle from the BBC.
The presenter, 36, who joined BBC Radio 1 in September 2007, is hanging up his microphone, with Jordan North and Vick Hope set to takeover his Drivetime show.
It is the latest big departure in recent weeks, with Annie Mac also announcing in April that she’s leaving after 17 years and being replaced by Clara Amfo.
Speaking on his show on Wednesday, Nick said of his exit: ‘I have some news guys, some big news. It’s big news for me to announce. I want to do it at the start of the show otherwise I’ll be weird for the next two hours.
End of an era: Nick Grimshaw has quit Radio 1 after 14 years at the station (pictured in 2018)
‘I’ve been thinking about it for a little while, after 14 years of working here I’ve made a big decision.’
Nick went on to say how he has kept his exit a secret and hasn’t ‘told anyone’ as he wanted to let his listeners be the first to know.
He said: ‘It a huge decision, an exciting one and a happy one. It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought. Radio 1 is home to me. It’s the only station I’ve wanted to work.
‘I was thinking the past 18 months have been the most surreal moments ever. A lot of you guys, you take stock in times like this and look at your life. I looked at mine and I wanted to make that change.
Replacements: The presenter, 36, who joined BBC Radio 1 in September 2007, is hanging up his microphone, with Vick Hope and Jordan North (pictured) to takeover his Drivetime show
Statement: Nick also took to Twitter to confirm his exit after speaking about it on his show, gushing that it was a ‘childhood dream’ to work on Radio 1
‘My childhood dream was to work on Radio 1 and I have been lucky enough to make that dream come true.
‘It has been everything I’d imagined and even more. I grew up wanting to connect with people and to feel accepted and the Radio 1 listeners gave me that and let me be part of their daily life, for which I will be eternally grateful.
‘But over the last few months I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my future and after 14 years, I’ve made the decision that it’s time for me to move on – I’d like to thank the listeners as without them none of this could have been possible and the Radio 1 family, who have been such a huge part of my life. Thank you thank you thank you.’
It comes as insiders told MailOnline, Nick’s decision to leave Radio 1 ‘isn’t about money’, but because he wants a new challenge.
Bring it on: Grimshaw said the pandemic made his reassess his life and feel ready for the next chapter (pictured presenting the show from his living room last month)
Exit: It comes after Annie Mac announced she is leaving BBC Radio 1 after 17 years back in April
A source said: ‘It’s not about the money. He’s done Drivetime, the Breakfast show, hosted late night but now he’s stepping away from radio as he wants a new challenge.
‘Nick’s loved every minute of his time at Radio 1 and loves broadcasting. He will still be starring on Celebrity Gogglebox.
‘He has been at Radio 1 for 14 years and wanted a change.’
BBC bosses have chosen ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ runner-up Jordan, 31, and Vick, also 31, to replace him on the airwaves in the afternoons, starting from Monday, 6 September 2021.
New host: Following Nick’s announcement, Vick shared this snap of herself coming up Radio 1’s elevator with the caption ‘incoming’
Radio 1: Vick replaced Cel Spellman to co-host Life Hacks and ‘Official Chart: First Look’ alongside Katie Thistleton on BBC Radio 1 last August
Vick replaced Cel Spellman to co-host Life Hacks and ‘Official Chart: First Look’ alongside Katie Thistleton on BBC Radio 1 last August.
Landing the role, former Capital presenter Vick said: ‘What a madness! Drivetime!
‘I love Radio 1 so, so much, having grown up tuning in religiously every single day, it means the world to be taking the reins at home-time with the phenomenal Mr North.
‘Grimmy is an absolute legend of the game, thank you mate for every laugh you’ve sent rippling through the country.
‘Taking over Drive is a task we won’t be taking lightly, but Jordan and I are ready to put our all into making your journey home that little bit brighter.’
Jordan, meanwhile, appeared as a cover presenter on Radio 1 from 2014, and four years later was announced as the new host for the station’s Greatest Hits show on Sunday mornings.
14 years: Grimshaw joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 presenting the BBC’s youth strand Switch with close friend and fellow DJ Annie Mac (pictured in 2018)
‘I’m devastated’: Radio 1 fans were left in shock after hearing the news, with some questioning why Nick and Annie were both leaving so close together as they reacted on Twitter
In September last year, Jordan was announced as the new regular 11am-1pm weekend host on BBC Radio 1. He also was the main cover presented for Nick and Scott Mills.
The I’m A Celeb star added: ‘I am absolutely chuffed to be making the move over to Radio 1 daytime and even happier to be working alongside Vick.
‘Grimmy is a Radio 1 legend so we definitely have big shoes to fill but will work extremely hard to make sure afternoons on Radio 1 still sound superb.
‘I am super excited to get started and look forward to this next chapter with Vick and the rest of my Radio 1 family.’
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said: ‘I am so excited for Vick and Jordan. The audience have taken to both of them over the last year so it’s a dream to be able to bring them together to host such an important show in Radio 1’s schedule.
‘I can’t wait for people to hear some of the ideas and projects they’ve got lined up, they’re really pushing the boundaries of what we can do. September is going to be a new sound for Radio 1, from established great broadcasters to bringing through the next generation of talented DJs we will continue to reflect our young audience across the UK and we’ll have a lot of fun doing it.’
TV work: A source told MailOnline Nick will continue to do Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his niece Liv (pictured)
Dedicated: Jordan appeared as a cover presenter on Radio 1 from 2014, and four years later was announced as the new host for the station’s Greatest Hits show on Sunday mornings
Nick’s exit comes shortly after Annie Mac announced she would be stepping away from the microphone after 17 years.
The DJ, 42, confirmed her departure in April, telling listeners her job at the broadcaster has been like a ‘second home’.
Clara Amfo has been revealed as her replacement on BBC Radio 1’s flagship music show, Radio 1’s Future Sounds.
Annie later took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave, saying she wants to spend more time with her two children who she shares with her husband and fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Toddla T.
BBC Radio 1’s line-up changes
Annie Mac leaves the station after 17 years and is replaced on Future Sounds by Clara Amfo.
Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September.
Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges will take on Live Lounge from Monday to Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm.
Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges
Radio 1’s Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am Monday to Wednesday.
Danny Howard, who joined Radio 1 after winning the station’s Superstar DJ talent competition back in 2011, will take over as host of Radio 1’s Dance Party on Fridays at 6pm.
Newbies: Jack Saunders and Danny Howard are in the shake-up
Jaguar has landed her own show on the station, hosting Radio 1 Dance from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays .
Sarah Story will front the Friday night 8 to 10pm slot to present Radio 1 Future Dance.
Signing: Jaguar and Sarah Story have signed up
The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm – 1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends.
Radio 1’s Soundsystem will move to occupy the slot on Saturday evenings, 11pm – 1am, while Radio 1’s Residency will move to Thursdays 11 – 1pm.
The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm – 1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends
Nick joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 presenting the BBC’s youth strand Switch with close friend and fellow DJ Annie.
He hosted the show for 9 months solo while Mac hosted a weekend lunchtime slot.
The radio host then went on to present Radio 1’s Weekend Breakfast Show, followed by the 10pm – midnight slot on BBC Radio 1 on 1 June 2009, following the departure of Colin Murray.
He was handed the prestigious Breakfast Show slot in 2012 taking over from the hugely popular Chris Moyles.
Good pals: Nick made a number of A-list friends thanks to his time on the show. Here he is pictured with Harry Styles in 2015
He stayed on air in the AM until 2018 when he swapped shows with Greg James. His move meant Grimshaw took over the 4-7pm drivetime slot.
In July 2017 the BBC confirmed that Nick’s salary was in the £350,000 – £399,999 bracket. The BBC later reported between 2020/ 2019 he got £240,000-£244,999 per annum.
Several Radio 1 fans were left shocked by the news that Nick would no longer be hosting his shows, with some even saying they felt ‘devastated’ by his exit.
Others wondered why he was leaving the station so soon after Annie Mac also announced that she was stepping away from Radio 1.
One person even penned: ‘What’s the point in Radio 1 without Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw?’
In another line-up announcement on Wednesday, the BBC also revealed that Northern Ireland’s Dean McCullough will permanently join Radio 1 to host a brand-new weekend show (Friday – Sunday, 10:30am – 1pm).
Congratulations! In another announcement, the BBC also revealed that Northern Ireland’s Dean McCullough will permanently join Radio 1 to host a brand-new weekend show
Dean was given his first opportunity to host on Radio 1 over the 2020 festive period as part of Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover where 33 new DJs and presenters were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the UK’s biggest youth radio station, and has since hosted Friday Early Breakfast on the station.
Dean’s first show will be on Friday, 10 September.
Dean’s new show will be broadcast from Salford and is the first Radio 1 programme to move out of London as part of the BBC’s Across the UK plans, announced by the Director-General earlier this year.
Dean said: ‘When I applied for the Christmas cover gig in December I didn’t think for one second that I’d get it never mind landing my own show 6 months later, I’m absolutely buzzing.
‘So let me get this straight, we get to hang out every weekend, cause absolute CHAOS and party to all the biggest Radio 1 anthems? That’s iconic! This one’s for my people in Manchester and my wee country of Northern Ireland, we did it!’
Newcomer: In addition to the new shows being announced, Victoria Jane (pictured) will also be joining Radio 1 to launch a new show – ‘Radio 1 Future Soul’
In addition to the new shows being announced, Victoria Jane will also be joining Radio 1 to launch a new show – ‘Radio 1 Future Soul’.
Musically it’ll be a blend of R’n’B, Neo-Soul and all related genres from across the UK, influenced by the musical scene from the North, and broadcast from Salford.
Victoria Jane was also one of the 33 presenters who took part in Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover, hosting DJ Target’s simulcast show on Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Victoria Jane said: ‘I honestly can’t believe I am now a presenter on Radio 1. I don’t think it will ever sink in, it’s honestly a dream come true.
‘I’m so happy to be another northern female voice on the BBC and to be hosting a show that I dreamt of as a little kid is honestly a fairy tale!’
