GK Barry and Charley Marlowe join BBC Radio 1 as Dean McCullough exits in shake-up
GK Barry and Charley Marlowe have been announced as part of a new Radio 1 line-up (Image: Getty Images)
BBC Radio 1 has announced a schedule shake-up that will see six presenters leave, with influencer-led talent including GK Barry joining the station from September.
Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom, Dean McCullough, Nat O’Leary, James Cusack and Swarzy will be leaving the Radio 1 schedule. In the announcement, Radio 1 said: “We thank them for their passion, creativity and dedication and wish them all the very best for whatever comes next.”
New and replacement names confirmed across the updated line-up include queer social media stars GK Barry and Charley Marlowe, Mylo & Rosie and Emil Franchi. Charlie Hedges will remain at Radio 1 and will host the Live Lounge with Jeremiah Asiamah.
McCullough, who is gay, said: “This has been such a hard decision for me but it’s time to spread my wings after the most incredible six years at Radio 1. A huge thank you to the brilliant Radio 1 listeners who have been with me from Christmas cover to weekends to afternoons and for the last 2 years of Early Breakfast. It’s been a pleasure.
“I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best people in the business and I’ll cherish the amazing times we had making radio together, thank you – you’re all stars! It’s time for a change, I’m ready and very excited for the future!”
Who’s leaving and who’s joining
Dean McCullough began working at Radio 1 in 2020 in cover roles, took over the Afternoon Show in 2022, and moved to Early Breakfast in July 2024.
GK Barry is set to begin a six-week run of Radio 1 shows at 1pm starting 10 September. She said: “I am really excited to be back hosting a series of my own BBC Radio 1 shows from this September.
“You’ll be hearing my favourite songs, we’ll be speaking with some really exciting guests and as always, in true GK Barry style, I promise a lot of humour, chaos and embarrassing stories along the way!”
Charlie Marlowe, fresh from lending her voice to I Kissed A Girl, said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Radio 1 family! I will captivate your ears, not so much your eyes due to it being radio but we’re going to have a frabjous time I can promise you that.”
She joins Vicky Hawkesworth to present Friday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 1pm.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
