EXCLUSIVE: Nick Grimshaw QUITS Radio One after 14 year stint with Jordan North and Vick Hope lined up as replacements… as insiders insist departure was not about money
- 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.
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.
Insiders told MailOnline that the move ‘isn’t about money’, but that the radio star is ready for a new challenge.
Speaking on his show on Wednesday, Nick said of his departure: ‘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.
Replacements: The presenter, 36, who joined BBC Radio 1 in September 2007, is hanging up his microphone, with Vick Hope (L) and Jordan North (R) set 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
‘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.
‘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.
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)
‘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.
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.
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
‘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.
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)
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.
TV work: A source told MailOnline Nick will continue to do Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his niece Liv (pictured)
‘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.
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.’
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
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.’
Grimshaw joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 presenting the BBC’s youth strand Switch with close friend and fellow DJ Annie Mac.
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 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.
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 Grimshaw’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.
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
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