BBC Radio 1 has confirmed one of its biggest schedule refreshes in years, with six presenters leaving their current shows and a new wave of talent preparing to take over from September.
Radio 1 has announced a huge schedule shakeup, axing six DJs including Dean McCullough, Melvin Odoom and Rickie Haywood-Williams (pictured), replacing them with social media influencers
Internet personality, podcaster and I’m A Celeb star GK Barry will present a series of Radio 1 programmes during the year, beginning with a six-week run from 10 September at 1pm
The station announced the changes in a social media post, thanking its outgoing presenters for their âpassion, creativity and dedicationâ while promising listeners a new era of energy, personality and fresh voices across the week.
Among those departing are Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom, Dean McCullough, Nat OâLeary, James Cusack and Swarzy. Their exits mark a noticeable shift for Radio 1, especially as several have been part of the stationâs sound for years.
Rickie and Melvinâs departure is likely to attract particular attention. Rickie has been at Radio 1 for seven years, while Melvin joined five years ago after moving from the Kiss Breakfast Show with Rickie and Charlie Hedges. Together, the trio became familiar voices on the mid-morning Live Lounge slot.
Weekend presenter Nat O’Leary, 24, is leaving after four years and will be replaced by infleuncer Charley Marlowe
James Cusack, 35, will leave his Weekend Breakfast show in August after 18 months in the role
Swarzy, 33, who hosted the early breakfast show on Sundays will also be leaving this summer
Rickie, 46, and Melvin, 45, will leave Radio 1 after seven years and five years presenting the mid-morning Live Lounge slot with co-presenter Charlie Hedges (pictured with Rickie and Melvin), who remains at the station
Vicky Hawkesworth will be joined by Influencer and presenter Charley Marlowe (pictured) between 10.30am and 1pm from Friday to Sunday
Charlie Hedges will remain with the station, but the Live Lounge will now enter a new chapter. She will be joined by Jeremiah Asiamah for the weekday 10.30am to 1pm show, a move Radio 1 bosses have described as an exciting fresh start for one of the stationâs most recognisable programmes.
Dean McCullough, who has spent six years at Radio 1, is also leaving his Early Breakfast show. He began as a stand-in presenter before moving through weekend mid-mornings, the afternoon slot and then Early Breakfast. In a personal message, Dean said it had been a hard decision but that he was ready to âspread my wingsâ after an incredible run at the station.
His replacement will be award-winning duo Mylo and Rosie, who arrive after a decade at Hits Radio West Yorkshire and multiple ARIA wins. The pair previously appeared through Radio 1âs presenter development initiative in 2025, and will now take on the early morning audience full-time.
The biggest talking point for many listeners, however, is the arrival of online personalities and new names from the digital world. GK Barry, known for her podcasting, internet presence and Iâm A Celebrity appearance, will present a series of Radio 1 programmes during the year, starting with a six-week run from September 10 at 1pm.
GK said she was excited to return with her own BBC Radio 1 shows, promising favourite songs, big guests, humour, chaos and embarrassing stories in her usual style. Her appointment reflects Radio 1âs continued push to connect with younger audiences who already follow stars across social media, podcasts and reality television.
Jeremiah Asiamah, 28, will join Charlie Hedges for the Live Lounge show from 10.30am to 1pm on weekday mornings
Award-winning duo Mylo & Rosie are taking over Early Breakfast, following a 10-year stint at Hits Radio West Yorkshire where they won multiple ARIAs
Charley Marlowe is also joining the station in a bigger role, teaming up with Vicky Hawkesworth from Friday to Sunday between 10.30am and 1pm. Charley replaces Nat OâLeary, who is leaving after four years on the weekend schedule.
Elsewhere, James Cusack will leave Weekend Breakfast after 18 months, with Emil Franchi taking over the slot. Swarzy, who hosted Sunday Early Breakfast, will also depart this summer as the station reshapes its weekend output.
There are changes beyond the headline presenter exits too. Lauren Layfield will host The Official Chart: First Look from Birmingham every Sunday between 4pm and 7pm, making it the first Radio 1 programme of its kind to broadcast live from the city.
Sunday evenings will feature Shanequa Paris and OrĂ© Olukoga on Life Hacks, followed by Sian Eleriâs Chillest Show, while Alyx Holcombeâs Indie Show moves to Tuesdays at 11pm. Radio 1âs new presenter showcase will also shift from Friday Early Breakfast to weekend mornings.
Melvin shared an emotional farewell message, saying presenting on Radio 1 had been a dream and thanking the producers and listeners who supported him and the team across their years on air. Rickie also reflected on his journey from working as a young broadcast assistant to returning to the BBC as a major on-air voice.
Emil Franchi becomes the new presenter of Weekend Breakfast
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1, praised the new lineup, saying Charlie and Jeremiah would bring energy, chemistry and unpredictability to the Live Lounge. He also welcomed GK Barry and Charley Marlowe, highlighting their humour, personality and wit.
For listeners, the shake-up is a major changing of the guard. Some familiar voices are leaving, but Radio 1 is clearly betting on a mix of experienced broadcasters, rising radio talent and digital-first personalities to carry the station into its next phase.
The new schedule begins in September, and fans will now be watching closely to see how Radio 1âs bold new lineup lands with audiences used to the voices it is replacing.
