BBC Radio 1 confirms major presenter shake-up as Dean McCullough, Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom all leave the station
BBC Radio 1 has unveiled a major schedule overhaul for September, with several familiar presenters departing the station as a host of new programmes and fresh talent are introduced.
Key points:
Dean McCullough leaves BBC Radio 1 after fronting the Early Breakfast show.
Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom are also exiting the Radio 1 schedule.
Charlie Hedges and Jeremiah Asiamah become the new hosts of the iconic Live Lounge.
Former Capital presenter Lauren Layfield joins with a brand-new chart programme.
New shows are launching for GK Barry, Charley Marlowe, Mylo & Rosie and Emil Franchi.
BBC Radio 1 is making sweeping changes to its weekday and weekend line-up from September, with several long-serving presenters leaving the station as part of a major schedule refresh.
Among those departing is Dean McCullough, who has become one of Radio 1’s best-known presenters in recent years after hosting Early Breakfast moving from the station’s lunchtime programme.
Away from radio, McCullough reached an even wider audience when he competed on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, where he quickly became one of the camp’s most memorable personalities thanks to his humour and willingness to take on Bushtucker Trials.
Also leaving the station are Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom, ending another chapter for one of Radio 1’s most recognisable presenting partnerships. The pair have been synonymous with the station for years, hosting a variety of programmes together and building a loyal following with their energetic style and celebrity interviews.
Swarzy, Nat O’Leary and James Cusack will also be departing the Radio 1 schedule.
Announcing the changes, Radio 1 said: “We thank them for their passion, creativity and dedication and wish them all the very best for whatever comes next”.
The overhaul also brings a number of new appointments and programme moves across the station.
Former Capital FM presenter Lauren Layfield will launch The Official Chart: First Look, broadcasting from Birmingham, giving listeners an early preview of the UK’s biggest songs before the official chart reveal.
Social media star and podcast host GK Barry is among the presenters receiving a new show. She’ll host a series of specials throughout the year.
Mylo & Rosie will host early breakfast Monday to Thursdays and Emil Franchi is the new presenter of Weekend Breakfast, as Radio 1 continues to invest in emerging broadcasting talent. Charley Marlowe will co-host Group Chat with Vicky Hawkesworth.
Sunday evenings are also being reshaped. Shanequa Paris and Oré Olukoga will take over Life Hacks at 7pm, while Sian Eleri’s popular The Chillest Show moves to a new 9pm slot. Alyx Holcombe’s Indie Show will also relocate to Tuesday nights at 11pm.
Meanwhile, Charlie Hedges and Jeremiah Asiamah have been confirmed as the new presenters of Radio 1’s iconic Live Lounge, one of the station’s flagship music brands that has produced countless memorable live performances from some of the world’s biggest artists.
Charlie Hedges says: “I’m so excited to be hosting the iconic Live Lounge with Jerry! We’re a bit chaotic whenever we get together, so bringing that energy live to Radio 1 with some of the biggest artists in the world is going to be wild. I also want to send all my love and respect to Melvin and Rickie. They’ve been such an important part of my journey, and I’ll be cheering them on in whatever they choose to do next.”
Jeremiah Asiamah says: “I still remember listening to the Live Lounge on the way home from college in 2017, so presenting it now alongside the brilliant Charlie Hedges is a real full circle moment. I can’t wait to bring the energy, celebrate incredible artists, and have some fun. I’m genuinely so grateful to God.”
The station has also recently welcomed former Kiss presenter Sam Darlaston, who now fronts Friday Early Breakfast, while Radio 1’s new talent showcase will move to the Weekend Early Breakfast slot.
Rickie and Melvin say: “It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since we first stepped into the studio in 2019. Presenting on the station has been an unforgettable experience, and we are incredibly grateful to the entire team and, most importantly, our brilliant listeners. From starting out on the late-night show to hosting the Live Lounge, we have made so many amazing memories that we’ll take with us. We are so proud of everything we’ve achieved here and couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter.”
Rickie Haywood-Williams says: “The absolute highlights for me were heading to Amsterdam to hide out as part of the Radio 1 DJ Hunt, and hosting Usher for an incredible performance in the Live Lounge.”
Melvin Odoom says: “I loved being a part of our Radio 1 version of The Traitors, and hosting such a mix of artists in the Live Lounge was a massive highlight. Ultimately, though, my favourite part of the job will always be connecting with our listeners.”
Dean McCullough says: “This has been such a hard decision for me but it’s time to spread my wings after the most incredible 6 years at Radio 1. A huge thank you to the brilliant Radio 1 listeners who have been with me from Christmas cover to weekends to afternoons and for the last 2 years of Early Breakfast. It’s been a pleasure. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best people in the business and I’ll cherish the amazing times we had making radio together, thank you – you’re all stars! It’s time for a change, I’m ready and very excited for the future!”
Nat O’Leary says: “I’ve had the best 4 years at Radio 1 working alongside so many talented individuals, it will always have a very special place in my heart. Thank you to the listeners, you’ve made my time on the station so enjoyable. I’m really excited for what’s coming next.”
James Cusack says: “It’s been so good to be on Radio1, to work with such a talented and wonderful team of people and importantly, to share it all with the brilliant listeners for the last few years. I’ll look forward to spending the rest of Summer on my weekend shows and covering a few others, then I can switch off the 5am alarms and get excited for the next steps of my career.”
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1, says: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Rickie and Melvin, who leave Radio 1 as true Live Lounge legends, and to Dean, whose journey from our Christmas Takeover to hosting his own show has been a joy to watch. I’d also like to thank Nat and James, who have each brought so much passion, creativity and dedication to Radio 1. We’re incredibly grateful for everything they’ve contributed to the station and wish them every success in whatever comes next.”
The latest changes continue Radio 1’s strategy of regularly refreshing its line-up, balancing established presenters with new voices in a bid to attract younger audiences while maintaining its position as the UK’s leading youth music station.
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