BBC Radio 1 have announced that host Jordan North will be replaced by presenter and Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing. North has presented on the station’s iconic drivetime show ‘Going Home‘ for more than a decade, and had been joined by co-host Vick Hope. BBC Radio 1 shared the news earlier this week in a post on social media, stating: “Radio 1 will be saying goodbye to Jordan North. Jordan has been behind some of the most hilarious and entertaining moments on air over the years, and has been a constant source of inspiration for younger presenters. Thank you for everything.”
Though the Burnley native had not initially announced or commented on his departure, he took to Instagram yesterday to break the silence and thank his colleagues, fellow presenters and listeners throughout the years. He said: “I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful colleagues / talented producers at Radio 1 who many I consider to be friends for life and will miss greatly, you’ve all reached out to me over the past 24 hours and it really has meant a lot.”
He added: “To my amazing fellow presenters I wish I could thank you all personally, I’ve loved working with you it’s been an absolute blast! Big love to Katie Thisleton, Greg James, Arielle Free, Ricky, Melvin & Charlie, Dean & Vicky, Clara Amfo, Matt & Molly, Scott Mills, Grimmy, all the rest of you fantastic lot, and of course my partner in crime Vick Hope…I’ll miss being on air with you every day. MOST IMPORTANTLY the biggest of thank yous to the fantastic listeners who have been really generous and always made me feel welcome, your kind words & messages have been so lovely, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I’ll be back soon, and can’t wait to see you all again.”
The announcement marks a new era for the station, with Laing as the distinctive new voice of the primetime spot. The presenter rose to fame in the early 2010s during the height of the hit reality TV show Made in Chelsea. Laing has since founded multiple successful businesses such as Candy Kittens and JamPot Productions, as well as the incredibly popular comedy podcast ‘Newlyweds‘ who he hosts alongside his wife Sophie.
Having previously worked at the station during Mollie King’s maternity leave, Laing has referred to working at BBC Radio 1 and the new opportunity as “an absolute dream”, and promises to make it “the best show I possibly can for the listeners who love it so much.” Laing is expected to make his debut on the show alongside Vick Hope on Monday March 4. You can listen to the show from 15:30 – 18:00 every Monday to Thursday.
