![BBC DJ Arielle Free returns to Radio 1 with poignant message after suspension](/upload/news/2023/08/07/83516.jpg)
Arielle Free has returned to her hosting job on BBC Radio 1 after being pulled off air in Ibiza last week. Confirming that she is back on the radio waves, Arielle, 36, took to Instagram to promote the show as she detailed what tonight's line-up had to offer.
Taking to Instagram to announce the news, Arielle shared a throwback photo of herself as she told her fans and followers alike that Monday night's show would be focusing on all things school and exam results.
"Tonight on your radio its all things chilled in the run up to tomorrow's Scottish Highers, advanced highers and national 5's exam results. A time I remember all too well. The track selection tonight is designed to help take your mind away from how ever you may be feeling right now. So expect some soul soothers, mood boosters, and loads more yummies," the Scottish DJ wrote.
"Two whole hours of one big musical hug. Plus here's a gift of the only high school picture my mum ever bought because I somehow mastered having terrible ones done every other year. Cheers."
Presenter Arielle, who had DJ’d for the station last Friday and Saturday afternoon, clashed with pal Charlie Hedges during her set broadcasting from Ibiza Rocks hotel over the weekend – resulting in her being taken off air by her co-star after less than 45 seconds of chaos.
Before being ordered off the airwaves, Arielle, 36, told Charlie she "hated" one of the tracks she was playing, and told her she "expected better" from her set. Charlie, 37, cut off her microphone, telling her to "have some respect" and told her to "get out" of her DJ area, while whoops and shouting could be heard in the background.
Arielle was replaced last week only, missing out on her usual Monday to Wednesday two hour slot, but has now returned to the airwaves. Covering for Arielle in her absence was Sian Eleri, who presented Radio 1's Future Artists from 8pm to 10pm on Wednesday after fronting the slot on Monday.
A spokesperson for the BBC previously told the Mirror: "Whilst we would not comment on individual matters, we have strict codes of behaviour for staff and presenters, and any breaches are taken extremely seriously."
The statement from the public-service broadcaster followed social media users discussing the chaotic exchange between Arielle and Charlie during Radio 1's live broadcast from Ibiza last Saturday night. The two DJs are friends who performed together at the Women’s FA Cup Final in May.
Arielle and Charlie's awkward clash began when Arielle, who used to host Love Island podcast The Morning After, joined Charlie on the airwaves for an unscheduled live chat on air – prompting Charlie to tell her BBC colleague: "Are you okay? I mean, you've sounded better."
Listeners heard as Arielle replied: "Well I mean, you know, this is what happens. You're out Friday night and then you're out Saturday day, and then you lose your voice." Things then took a turn as Arielle went on to tell her co-star: "Can I be honest with you Charlie? I expected better of you."
"What as in to sound like the way you do now?," Charlie replied, to which Arielle hit back with: "I don't like this song. I hate this song. What are you doing. Sorry, what are you talking about." Charlie, who was broadcasting at the time, then told Arielle: "Sorry, I'm taking your mic down. It's my show Arielle, have some respect please. This is Dance Weekend Anthems. Have some respect. See you later, get out of here."
"Not Arielle Free being taken off air because of this," one social media user wrote on Twitter on Saturday as they shared a clip of the tense exchange between the two women. "I generally don’t think she was rude she was just saying she didn’t like the song fair enough can’t all like it," another mused in the replies, with one delighted Twitter user declaring: "Back to the good old days of radio 1. The presenters are so beige nowadays."