Scott Mills' afternoon slot on BBC Radio 1 is to move to Salford as his replacements have been announced. Scott and co-star Chris Stark revealed their departure from the station last Friday.
From September, as Scott replaces Steve Wright on his weekday Radio 2 show, bosses have announced that Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth will join forces to host a new daytime show from Monday to Thursday at 1pm to 3.30pm. With the first show broadcasting on Monday September 5, it will be the first weekday programme to move out of London and broadcast from Salford as part of the BBC’s Across The UK plans announced by the director deneral last year.
Northern Ireland’s Dean permanently joined Radio 1 last September to host at the weekends. And Bolton-born Vicky currently presents shows on BBC Radio Manchester and Gaydio and has covered a range of shows across Radio 1.
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She most recently hosted the BBC iPlayer coverage of Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2022 in Coventry as well as Radio 1’s coverage of the Platinum Jubilee Concert. Dean said: “I literally don’t know what to say, this is wild. Being given the opportunity to launch a brand new daytime show on Radio 1 with the most talented production team and co-host is a full on dream come true.
"Vicky and I did the Christmas presenter search together in 2020 and I loved her from the second I met her. It’s bittersweet because like so many millions of people I am a huge fan of Scott and Chris."
He added: "They are hands down the best at doing the radio, ever. I’m really going to miss them on Radio 1 and hope that their brilliant listeners join us for this new chapter in September. I’m so grateful that this is happening, thank you Radio 1 for believing in me."
And Vicky said: “In all honesty, I don’t think there are words that can live up to how incredibly excited I am. I am quite literally about to live my dream and I can’t wait to get going.
“I feel extremely honoured to be in this position, Scott and Chris are the best that radio has to offer, a phenomenal team that have kept me laughing and smiling over the years and it’s privilege to follow after them.”
Aled Haydn Jones, head of BBC Radio 1, said: “I am so excited for Dean and Vicky. They are both highly engaging presenters who made me laugh so much in their company.
"They’re a testament to the success of our Christmas Takeover initiative and I’m thrilled it will enable them to bring a smile to the nation on daytime. It is also a very special moment for Radio 1 as it means we’ll be broadcasting from Salford seven days a week which is great.”
In addition Katie Thistleton will host her own weekend show from Salford on Friday and Saturday at 10.30am to 1pm. And Nat O’Leary will join the station to host brand-new show Radio 1 00s on Sundays at 11am to 1pm.
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