New Hosts Announced For Afternoon Show On BBC Radio 1

BBC Radio 1 have announced that Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth will join forces to host a new daytime show (Monday – Thursday, 1pm - 3.30pm) on the network, with the first show broadcasting on Monday 5 September 2022.

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 General in 2021.

Dean and Vicky will be taking over from Scott Mills and Chris Stark who announced their departure from Radio 1 last Friday 1 July.

Both Dean and Vicky were given their first opportunity to host on the station during the 2020 festive period as part of Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover - an initiative created by Head of BBC Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones - which provides a valuable springboard for emerging presenters, giving them a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the UK’s biggest youth radio station.

From there, Northern Ireland’s Dean permanently joined Radio 1 in September 2021 to host weekends (Friday – Sunday, 10.30am – 1pm) and has quickly proved a huge success amongst listeners. He has brought his infectious energy to weekend mornings and has interviewed stars such as Anne-Marie, Aitch and Tom Grennan.

Bolton born Vicky, currently presents regular shows on BBC Radio Manchester and GAYDIO and has covered a range of shows across Radio 1. 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 McCullough 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 & Chris. 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."

Vicky Hawkesworth 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."