Reggie and Vernon make way for a new line-up
Vernon Kay and Reggie Yates are to leave Radio One at the end of the year, following a scheduling shake-up.
Kay, who has been working at BBC Radio One for over nine years, is said to want to spend more time with his family, while Yates, who currently presents the Chart Show, will “concentrate on other projects”.
In a statement, Vernon, 38, explained that “it was the right time to leave”:
“I’ve had an incredible nine-and-a-half years at Radio 1 that has exceeded all of my expectations, it has been a fabulous experience and I’ve loved the weekends I have spent with my listeners.
“However, when I was offered a contract extension I thought long and hard, but after 12 years of working weekends with CBBC, T4 and Radio 1, I felt it was the right time to leave as the girls are now both in school so weekends are more precious than ever.”
Both will leave the station at the end of the year, making way for a new schedule in 2013.
Request Show presenter Jameela Jamil will replace Yates and host the Chart Show, with Matt Edmondson fronting a new weekend breakfast show between 10am and 1pm.
Ben Cooper, Controller BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, thanked Reggie and Vernon, before enthusing about the future of the station:
“I’m excited by our brand new shows, which will appeal to the smartphone generation with our audience able to listen, watch and share Radio 1’s great content.”
Related: T4 axed by Channel 4
