Nick Grimshaw is to leave the BBC after 14 years, the radio presenter has announced.
He revealed he was leaving the broadcaster during his BBC Radio 1 show on Wednesday.
In an official statement, Grimshaw said that working at Radio 1 had been a “childhood dream”, adding: “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.”
He added: “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.”
Vick Hope and Jordan North will take over Grimshaw’s slot on Radio 1.
The station tweeted: “We have some news! From September, the brilliant Vick Hope & Jordan North will take over Monday – Thursday afternoons from 3:30 – 6pm on Radio 1.”
Hope 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.”
North, who took part in last year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! said: “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.”
Grimshaw joined the BBC in 2007, hosting BBC Two youth music show Sound alongside DJ Annie Mac.
He then went on to host Radio 1’s Weekend Breakfast Show in 2008 until the following year, before moving to hosting a late-night slot on the station.
Grimshaw, who was raised in Royton, Oldham, took over Chris Moyles’ breakfast show at the age of 27 in 2012.
In 2015, he appeared as an X Factor judge alongside Simon Cowell, Rita Ora and Cheryl, but he departed the role after just one year.
In May 2018, Grimshaw became the Radio 1 breakfast show’s second longest-running host in the programme’s history, overtaking the previous record held by Tony Blackburn.
He then moved on to present the station’s drivetime programme.
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