Fearne's new show on BBC Radio 1
Aug 05 2009 • hackfordjonespr.com
BBC Radio 1 has announced today that Fearne Cotton is to front the 10am-12.45pm, Monday to Friday show in a major shake-up of the station’s weekday schedule.
Fearne, who currently presents a weekend programme on the station with Reggie Yates, will now fly solo in her new show.
Radio 1 has also confirmed that Early Breakfast presenter Greg James is heading to afternoons (1-4pm); while Dev is shifting from Weekend Breakfast to the weekday Early Breakfast Show (4am-6.30am).
The Live Lounge continues in Fearne’s new show with Radio 1 bringing more live music than ever to daytime; and lunchtimes with Greg will still be the place to go for all things movie related - but games and gaming are being added in too.
Fearne says: “I love being at Radio 1 and taking on a weekday show is a dream come true. Jo is leaving very big shoes for me to fill and it’s nerve wracking. She has been a massive inspiration to me throughout my career so I have a high standard to live up to. The live music legacy will live on in the new show and I can’t wait to get started.”
Greg says: “I didn’t think things could get any better when I joined Radio 1 so to move to the lunchtime slot which has had so many great names presenting it is amazing. And as much as I adore my early show, it will be nice to see daylight again!”
Dev says: “This is an amazing opportunity for me to strengthen my broadcasting muscle and become a radio beast! It’s an honour to keep the nation company in the morning and of course warm up for Mr Moyles!”
As a result of changes to the weekday schedule, Edith Bowman will host Weekend Breakfast (7am-10am); Jo Whiley moves to weekend afternoons (1pm-4pm); and Reggie Yates keeps the late afternoon slot (4pm-7pm). Nihal, who currently presents the weekend 1pm- 4pm show, continues with his specialist show on the station.
Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller, BBC Radio 1, says: “This is our first big shake-up of the weekday schedule for over five years. I feel it’s the right time to make these changes in order to offer our listeners some exciting new programmes.
“Bringing Fearne to the daytime schedule is really thrilling for us as she has proven herself to be a great broadcaster in the time she has been at the station. Greg has also been a real hit with listeners since joining Radio 1 so we believe he’s ready for a new slot, and Dev, who recently moved to us from BBC 1Xtra, is a star of the future.”
Andy Parfitt, Controller, BBC Radio 1, adds: “BBC Radio 1 must continue to change to connect with a new generation of audiences and this a significant move, promoting three of our up and coming broadcasters into the heart of the schedule. We’re doing this from a position of strength, we have record audience levels, delivered with major contributions by Jo and Edith and I thank them for that. I look forward to a fresh sound to weekends in the autumn and to hearing Fearne, Greg and Dev develop in their new slots.”
The changes come into effect from Monday 21st September.
