Greg James Is Taking Over From Nick Grimshaw On Radio 1's Breakfast Show

Nick Grimshaw will be moving to the drivetime slot, previously occupied by James.

Greg James will take over the prestigious Radio 1 Breakfast Show this autumn, replacing Nick Grimshaw, who has presented the slot for the past six years.

BBC Radio 1

Grimshaw has been hosting the morning slot over a challenging period for the BBC radio station, which has been trying to attract younger listeners at a time when Spotify and other streaming services have tempted audiences away from radio altogether. Last summer, Grimshaw's show attracted Radio 1's lowest ever breakfast listening figures, but numbers have since risen by 800,000 to 5.72 million listeners a week.

Radio 1 has hit back at criticism over its declining listenership by highlighting the success of its podcasts, social media, and video content on iPlayer and YouTube.

Announcing the move on air this morning, Grimshaw joked that he was tired. He said he was ready to do a new show, adding that hosting the breakfast slot on Radio 1 "has been a literal dream of a child coming true".

BBC Radio 1 @BBCR1

“It was always my dream to do the breakfast show and I’m very grateful that I got to live my dream every day for what will be nearly 6 years. But 6 years is a long time and this isn’t a forever job. I had the time of my life" We love you @grimmers ❤️ https://t.co/yNKfywOp4S

07:22 AM - 31 May 2018

James has been a rising star at Radio 1. Previously a student DJ at the University of East Anglia, he landed the early breakfast slot in 2007 before moving to drivetime in 2012. He's also the presenter of Sounds Like Friday Night, a Friday night music show on BBC One.

BBC Radio 1

James gained attention for starting a national conversation on mental health with his "Gregathlon" this year, which saw him climb the Three Peaks and cycle between them for Sport Relief.

In a BBC press statement announcing his takeover on Thursday morning, he said: "I am completely beside myself that I've been given the chance to present the most famous radio show in the world. It really doesn’t get any bigger than this and I really want to build on the great work Grimmy has done."

"It's going to be the most enjoyable challenge I've ever undertaken and I can't wait to get started,” he said.

Interestingly, James won't be presenting the breakfast show five days a week. From later this year, Saturday and Sunday presenters will be on air on Fridays too, as the station hopes to increase weekend listening figures and raise the profile of its weekend hosts.