Mollie King to host new show on BBC Radio 1

Changes at BBC Radio 1 will see Mollie King hosting Radio 1’s Future Pop (Thursdays, 8pm–10pm) which will launch in September.

The show will feature new and emerging UK and international pop artists, with Mollie, who was part of the music industry as a performer, using her expertise to showcase upcoming talent. As well as taking on the new show, she will continue to present weekends (1pm-4pm) alongside co-host Matt Edmondson.

Mollie says: “It’s hard to put into words just how unbelievably honoured and excited I am to be launching and presenting Radio 1’s Future Pop! As a lifelong complete pop fanatic, I am going to adore every single minute of pushing through new and up and coming pop acts.

“I’ve been on the other side and know just how much it means to have your music supported on the radio and being given the platform, so I can’t wait to search far and wide to find the best pop talent out there. The 15-year-old in me, who wrote endlessly to record labels asking to do work experience and make the teas and coffees is crying inside! It’s a real dream come true!”

In other changes, Monday nights on Radio 1 will be dedicated to rock and alternative showcasing the breadth of talent both genres have to offer, kicking off with the Radio 1 Rock Show with Daniel P Carter which will move to Mondays, 11pm-1am.

This will be followed by a brand-new BBC Introducing Rock on Radio 1, championing new and emerging Rock artists from across the UK (Mondays, 1am-2am), hosted by Alyx Holcombe who is joining the station.

Alyx was given her first opportunity to host on Radio 1 over the 2021 festive period as part of Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover, where 30 new DJs and presenters were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the station.

Alyx says: “This is everything I have worked so hard for. Underground rock bands now have a space on BBC Radio 1. I can’t believe I’ve done it. This is a win for all of us in the underground rock scene.”

From 2am Nels Hylton will host a new playlist – Radio 1’s Future Alternative focusing on the future of Rock and guitar, shining a spotlight on rapidly emerging genres like PopPunk, AltRock, NuMetal, RapRock.

Charlie Tee will become the first permanent female presenter of Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show, which will be a part of the Saturday night schedule moving to 11pm. Charlie was also one of the 30 presenters who took part in Radio 1’s 2021 Christmas Takeover.

Charlie says: “Drum & Bass is such an integral part of UK dance culture and I genuinely believe that right now, its sonic direction is the most prolific it’s ever been! This will be an exciting new chapter for the genre, as the show joins the iconic weekend line-up on Radio 1, in a brand-new slot. I cannot wait to showcase the incredible next generation of talent in drum and bass and it’s an honour to be the first woman to do so.”

In addition to the new shows being announced today, Radio 1’s Indie Show with Jack Saunders will move to Sundays at 9pm and Radio 1’s Soundsystem with Jeremiah Asiamah will move to Saturdays at 7pm.

After what will be five years hosting Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show, René LaVice will be leaving the show to devote more time to his label and other ventures but will remain a key part of the Radio 1 Dance family.

The station will also say goodbye to DJ Target who currently occupies 7pm-9pm on Saturday nights with 1Xtra’s Takeover with DJ Target. DJ Target will focus his Saturday show to a 1Xtra audience and will still remain an integral part of the 1Xtra and BBC Three family.

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “I’d like to welcome Alyx Holcombe and Charlie Tee to Radio 1, they’re both new and exciting presenting talent and I’m extremely excited to see what direction there’ll take their new shows in.

“A huge thank you to René for five fantastic years at the station, I’m glad he will remain a key part of the Radio 1 Dance family.

“Thank you to DJ Target who has brought some iconic moments to Radio 1, I’ll continue to watch the show flourish on 1Xtra.”