Nicky Campbell to leave 5 Live Breakfast
After nearly 20 years of hosting BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Nicky Campbell is moving to present a brand new programme on the station that will see his popular phone-in show extended through the morning.
The new show, which launches later this year, will run from 9-11am every weekday, giving Nicky more time on air with the station’s listeners; sharing their stories and connecting them with each other.
Nicky says: “It’s why I love 5 Live – hearing from listeners and talking to people about what really does matter to them and their communities. It’s a constant privilege hearing people’s passion, candour, anger and raw honesty. Our listeners make me listen. They make me think, laugh and cry. I can’t wait for this to start.
“Leaving Breakfast is really tough after so many unforgettable programmes with Rachel and the team, but I’ve been getting up at four am for 19 years now so it’s time I had a bit more sleep!”
Nicky is one of the best-known voices in British radio and joined 5 Live from Radio 1 in 1997, where he had worked for ten years. He’s been at the centre of 5 Live’s coverage of every major news and sporting event and been broadcasting throughout the COVID crisis. He recently celebrated ten years of working with his co-presenter Rachel Burden in an award-winning partnership.
As well as his new show, Nicky will also front a new podcast for 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, says: “Nicky is the master of radio phone-in broadcasting. The last year with the pandemic has shown just how deep Nicky’s connection is with our listeners across the UK. They have opened up to him about every detail of their lives through this difficult time. We want to give our audience more time on air and Nicky is the perfect presenter to enable that conversation. So it’s exciting he’ll launch this new show for us, giving him more time to do what he does best.
“Hearing from people right across the UK is what 5 Live is all about; alongside the latest news, the best sports coverage, and entertaining conversation.”
A new breakfast co-host to work with Rachel Burden will be announced in due course.