Breakfast radio hosts are like spouses, colleagues, siblings and parents: they can be really, really annoying. It’s often a matter of timing – you might find a certain presenter grating at seven in the morning, but the same one prattling on after lunch totally inoffensive. Yet such a visceral, borderline irrational reaction does make the early morning slot a dicey endeavour. Nick Grimshaw will already be well aware of this occupational hazard as he takes over the 6 Music breakfast show from Lauren Laverne – he helmed Radio 1’s more high-profile equivalent between 2012 and 2018. As he kicks off his debut programme with the kind of hushed reverence that has long been de rigueur on the station, it’s obvious he is doing his best not to rile the faithful.
I don’t find Grimshaw remotely irritating, though I can see why his (now toned-down) persona – slightly ditzy, chummily familiar – might not be for everyone. Personally, I’m very much looking forward to him bringing more of his giddily droll humour to the show. (We got a sprinkling of comedy this morning, largely courtesy of a an email requesting UB40 from a man eating a pork pie in bed). Yet, unlike his previous gig, the 6 Music breakfast show is clearly not meant to be a personality showcase. It’s not even supposed to be particularly entertaining; 6 Music is all about the songs (the clue’s in the name), something Grimshaw acknowledges early doors. He is “here with one job only: to start your day with the best music”.
