Radio 1 announce daytime shake up after Jordan's North's cold exit as more axed
Radio 1 bosses are mixing things up once again, with presenter Katie Thistleton set to join Vick Hope and Jamie Laing on Radio 1’s Drivetime Show.
Katie will join Made In Chelsea star Jamie in replacing Jordan North on the afternoon show, following the Lancashire lad's swift exit from Radio 1 ahead of taking over from Roman Kemp on Capital FM Breakfast next month. Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth, who took over from Scott Mills in 2022, have been bumped from their afternoon slot in the shake-up and will no longer host broadcasts together on the station.
Dean and Vicky will be replaced by Matt Edmondson and Mollie King, who currently present Matt and Mollie (13:00 – 16:00, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Matt and Mollie will be the new duo hosting the afternoon show (13:00 – 15:30, Monday to Thursday) from July. The Saturdays singer Mollie will continue to host Radio 1’s Future Pop at the new time of 20:00 – 22:00 on Wednesday nights.
Katie joining Jamie and Vick on Drivetime follows a huge backlash from listeners after reality TV star Jamie was initially announced as Jordan's replacement earlier this month - with many fans accusing the state-funded broadcaster of becoming a 'posh boys' club' and neglecting to nurture up and coming talent.
Manchester-born Katie Thistleton joined Radio 1 in 2017 following her work on CBBC and has since presented various shows on the network, as well as working at the station’s flagship event, Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Katie currently hosts her own show (10:30 – 13:00, Friday – Saturday) plus Life Hacks (16:00 - 18:00, Sunday), and The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1 (18:00-19:00 Sunday).
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Vick says of Katie's addition: "Here we go, a new era…! I’m so happy to welcome Katie and Jamie as my new co-hosts for Going Home. Katie is such a special, important broadcaster, and one of my favourite people in the world. I’ve absolutely loved presenting Life Hacks together every Sunday for the last three years and in that time not only have we built a really strong, beautiful relationship with our listeners through thick and thin, but we’ve become such close friends.
Katie Thistleton says landing the new gig is 'beyond her wildest dreams' (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Matt Edmondson and Mollie King have been promoted to a weekday slot (Discovery +)"I’m so excited to get to work - and hang out - with each other every day and so glad our on-air journey together continues. And as for Jamie… he’s so much fun to be around, a really brilliant broadcaster. I’ve found him laugh-out-loud hilarious radio when he’s hosted with Matt, and when we covered together last year he brought such great energy. As a trio, right from our first demo in studio we’ve all been in stitches! I know the Going Home listeners will absolutely love both Katie and Jamie - I can’t wait for us to get going."
Katie said of her new gig: "I am beyond thrilled to be joining Vick and Jamie on Going Home, I have loved filling in on the show for the past couple of years, working with Vick is always dreamy and I’m such a big fan of Jamie. I can’t wait for lots of fun chaos and playing the best tunes for that amazing drivetime audience, this is beyond my wildest dreams! Pinch me!"
Jamie added: "So excited to have Katie joining Going Home with Vick and I. It already feels like a dream to be a part of the Radio 1 family so to get to work alongside such incredible people like Katie and Vick is the icing on the cake. I can’t wait to kick off the show next week - get ready for an afternoon of fun and antics!"
Arielle Free will be leaving the early morning breakfast slot (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Dean McCullough will take over from the Scottish DJ from July (BBC)Elsewhere, Matt and Mollie will replace Dean and Vicki and move to the afternoon show (13:00 – 15:30, Monday to Thursday) from July. Dean and Vicki had been hosting the slot from Manchester since taking over from Scott Mills in 2022, but Dean will take on Early Breakfast on Radio 1 (05:00 – 07:00, Monday - Thursday) solo, which will make a move from London, to be broadcast live from Salford, Manchester, in July. "I’m really excited to be taking over the reins from the amazing Arielle Free. The Early Breakfast crew are the best listeners at Radio 1. I’m really excited to get stuck in and wake up the nation every morning," Dean said of his new gig.
Handing over the presenting reigns to Dean, Arielle Free, who currently presents Early Breakfast on Radio 1 (05:00 – 07:00, Monday – Thursday), will be stepping down from the show but will remain at Radio 1 to host a new Dance Show on Thursdays at 20:00 from the end of April.
Meanwhile, Dean's old co-host Vicky will join Nat O’Leary to present new shows (10:30 – 13:00, Friday – Sunday) from July. Vicky & Nat will be taking listeners through Anthems, 00s, and 10s over the extended weekend, showcasing the best known tunes from recent years. The Bolton born star paid tribute to Dean as she celebrated her new slot, saying: "I’m going to miss working with my partner in crime Dean McCullough every day, but I’m excited for a new adventure and chapter with the fabulous Nat O’Leary! I’m so happy to be part of an all female duo - girl power!"
Liverpool-born drag queen and winner of the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Danny Beard, will be taking on the hosting duties of Katie’s weekend shows from 8 March until Vicky and Nat’s new show begins in July. "Katie's show is one of my favourites to listen to on Radio 1, and I can’t wait to get stuck in with the listeners and hear all about their weekend antics whilst keeping them entertained and plied with excellent music," Danny said. "Bringing some Danny Beard magic to the daylight hours and Radio 1 is a real honour for me and I cannot wait to get started!"
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