Nick Grimshaw is leaving BBC Radio 1 after 14 years at the station.

Nick Grimshaw

Nick Grimshaw

The 36-year-old DJ - affectionately known as 'Grimmy' - is to depart his Drivetime Show for a new challenge elsewhere.

Announcing his exit from the station, he said: "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. 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."

BBC bosses have chosen 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' runner-up Jordan North and Vick Hope to replace him on the airwaves in the afternoons, starting from Monday, 6 September 2021.

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 and 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.

Jordan, 31, and 31-year-old Vick - who previously took part on 'Strictly Come Dancing' - are looking forward to the challenge of taking over from Grimshaw.

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! 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 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."

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