Dotty tells her listeners she’s leaving 1Xtra at the end of the month

BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Breakfast host Dotty has announced to her listeners that she’s leaving the station after 6 years.

Dotty said: “This week marks my 4 year anniversary on The 1Xtra Breakfast Show and it has been the most incredible experience of my life. But after almost 1000 early mornings, I think it’s finally time for me to turn off my alarm clock and rest.”

She joined the station in 2014 and presented various programmes including the Saturday 4-7pm show and the weekday 1-4pm slot before taking over the Breakfast Show in July 2016, when she became the first female to host the show in the station’s history.

Dotty, whose real name is Ashley Charles said that she felt like it’s the right time to end on a high note and say goodbye to the radio station that she loves.

She added: “Joining 1Xtra in 2014 changed my life, it’s here that I fell in love with broadcasting, spent my days with the most amazing listeners, made lifelong friends and even met Oprah.

“Thank-you to the many stars that have passed through the studio. To every single member of staff from the managers to the security guards. But most importantly to the listeners; thank you for inviting me into your homes, cars, building sites and barbershops. I’ve truly loved being part of your day.

“There’s nowhere in the world quite like 1Xtra but I look forward to what the future holds.”

Mark Strippel, Head of Programmes at 1Xtra, says: “Dotty is an incredible and unique talent and will always be part of the 1Xtra family. I speak on behalf of everyone at the station when I say that we’ll miss her loads, and thank her for every ounce of passion and commitment she has put into 1Xtra! We’ve shared some unforgettable radio moments and will be celebrating them this month.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Dotty and her incredible journey since joining as an artist six years ago, leading through to taking the Breakfast crown at this year’s ARIAS, and wish her the very best in her next chapter!”

This will be my last month on @1Xtra, a radio station that changed my life forever when they gave me a show in 2014. Spending the last 6 years with the greatest listeners, artists & broadcasters in the world has been a dream to me.

To anyone that has ever listened.. Thank-you?

— Dotty (@AmplifyDot) July 2, 2020

Dotty’s last show will be on Thursday 30 July and Nadia Jae will cover the slot while 1Xtra audition to find the next regular host.