SH0CK :Six top BBC stars axed from Radio 1 as surprise replacements already revealed
The corporation announced its unexpected replacements online.
BBC bosses have announced the departure of six famous radio presenters (Image: Getty)
Six famous faces have been axed from BBC Radio 1, as the channel undergoes a major presenter shake-up. Radio presenters Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom, Dean McCullough, Nat O’Leary, James Cusack and Swarzy will be leaving the airwaves to make way for fresh talent as executives take a risk by reinventing the station. Announcing the surprising news on Instagram, the station wrote: “We thank them for their passion, creativity and dedication and wish them all the very best for whatever comes next.”
Stepping in their place is YouTube, and I’m A Celebrity star GK Barry, alongside Charley Marlow, Mylo & Rosie, and Emil Franchi. There will be a series of new shows and hosting reshuffles on the station yet to come. Charlie Hedges and Jeremiah Asiamah are the new hosts of Radio 1’s Live Lounge, while Lauren Layfield will front the brand-new The Official Chart: First Look from the heart of Birmingham.
BBC Radio 1 have announced their new hosting line-up, including YouTuber GK Barry (Image: @bbcradio1pr/Instagram)
Meanwhile, Shanequa Paris and Oré Olukoga will take over Life Hacks at 7pm. Sian Eleri’s The Chillest Show will now move to 9pm as Alyx Holcombe’s Indie Show is bumped up to Tuesday nights at 11pm. Speaking about his departure, Dean said this morning: “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 two years of early breakfast.
“It’s been an absolute 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’ve had making radio together. Thank you – you’re all stars. It’s time for a change, I’m so ready and very, very, very, very excited for the future.”
Taking to Instagram, Melvin said: “We are so proud of everything we’ve achieved here and so excited to share what’s coming next! Our last show is the end of August, and don’t forget you can catch me covering for my brother DJ Spoony on Radio 2 for the next few months.”
Meanwhile, Rickie posted: “The biggest thank you goes to the listeners. You are an amazing bunch and have been the best part of the job – making us laugh every single day and reminding me why radio is so special. When I think back to being a young broadcast assistant at Radio 1 and 1Xtra after uni, leaving to host The Kiss Breakfast Show and then finding my way back to the BBC all those years later… I’m genuinely so proud of this amazing journey!”
Rickie Haywood, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges are among the six presenters axed from the station (Image: melvinodoom//Instagra)
It comes after the corporation announced more than 550 job cuts in news, nations and TV and radio content as part of its first stage in its plan to save £500m across the corporation over the next two years last month. Interim CEO of BBC News, Jonathan Munro, said the proposals announced include 200 job losses in the news division, resulting in savings of £25m.
Melvin joined the station in 2019, moving from the Kiss Breakfast Show with his longtime broadcasting partner, Rickie and Charlie. At first, they hosted the late-night slot from 9pm to 11pm before moving to the mid-morning Live Longue slot in 2021. Dean’s Radio 1 career began with various cover roles in 2020 and 2021, before landing Scott Mills’ former Afternoon Show in 2022, alongside his co-host Vicky Hawkesworth.
He then moved to Early Breakfast in July 2024 and anchored the hour-long Pop Anthems show. Both DJs starred in the 2024 edition of I’m a Celebrity and were punished for sneaking contraband into the Australian camp. They also had a feud on the show, with Melvin branding Dean ‘Houdini’ because of his disappearing act when chores needed doing.
