91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 announces today that Fearne Cotton is to front the 10.00am-12.45pm, Monday to Friday show in a major shake-up of the station's weekday schedule.

Fearne, who currently presents a weekend programme on the station with Reggie Yates, will now fly solo in her new show.

Radio 1 has also confirmed that Early Breakfast presenter Greg James is heading to afternoons (1.00-4.00pm); while Dev is shifting from Weekend Breakfast to the weekday Early Breakfast Show (4.00-6.30am).

The Live Lounge continues in Fearne's new show with Radio 1 bringing more live music than ever to daytime; and lunchtimes with Greg will still be the place to go for all things movie related – but games and gaming are being added in too.

Fearne says: "I love being at Radio 1 and taking on a weekday show is a dream come true.

"Jo [Whiley] is leaving very big shoes for me to fill and it's nerve wracking. She has been a massive inspiration to me throughout my career so I have a high standard to live up to.

"The live music legacy will live on in the new show and I can't wait to get started."

Greg says: "I didn't think things could get any better when I joined Radio 1 so to move to the lunchtime slot which has had so many great names presenting it is amazing.

"And, as much as I adore my early show, it will be nice to see daylight again!"

Dev says: "This is an amazing opportunity for me to strengthen my broadcasting muscle and become a radio beast!

"It's an honour to keep the nation company in the morning and, of course, warm up for Mr Moyles!"

As a result of changes to the weekday schedule, Edith Bowman will host Weekend Breakfast (7.00-10.00am); Jo Whiley moves to weekend afternoons (1.00-4.00pm); and Reggie Yates keeps the late afternoon slot (4.00-7.00pm).

Nihal, who currently presents the weekend 1.00-4.00pm show, continues with his specialist show on the station.

Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller, Radio 1, says: "This is our first big shake-up of the weekday schedule for over five years.

"I feel it's the right time to make these changes in order to offer our listeners some exciting new programmes.

"Bringing Fearne to the daytime schedule is really thrilling for us as she has proven herself to be a great broadcaster in the time she has been at the station.

"Greg has also been a real hit with listeners since joining Radio 1 so we believe he's ready for a new slot, and Dev, who recently moved to us from 91Èȱ¬ 1Xtra, is a star of the future."

Andy Parfitt, Controller, Radio 1, adds: "91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 must continue to change to connect with a new generation of audiences and this is a significant move, promoting three of our up-and-coming broadcasters into the heart of the schedule.

"We're doing this from a position of strength, we have record audience levels, delivered with major contributions by Jo and Edith and I thank them for that.

"I look forward to a fresh sound to weekends in the autumn and to hearing Fearne, Greg and Dev develop in their new slots."

The changes come into effect from 21 September 2009.

Notes to Editors

91Èȱ¬ Radio 1's new weekday schedule

• 4.00-6.30am Dev
• 6.30-10.00am Chris Moyles
• 10.00am-12.45pm Fearne Cotton
• 12.45-1.00pm Newsbeat
• 1.00-4.00pm Greg James
• 4.00-7.00pm Scott Mills

91Èȱ¬ Radio 1's new weekend schedule

• 7.00-10.00am Edith Bowman
• 10.00am-1.00pm Vernon Kay (Saturday); Sara Cox (Sunday)
• 1.00-4.00pm Jo Whiley
• 4.00-7.00pm Reggie Yates (Request Show on Saturday; Chart Show on Sunday)

Quote from Jo Whiley: "After eight wonderful years the time has come to move on and give someone else the privilege of entertaining the nation on a daily basis. I've had the most amazing time ever!

"The prospect of lie-ins, taking my kids to school and doing something new is, I confess, rather exciting.

"I will, of course, be taking the keys to the Live Lounge with me to my new weekend show – so the live music will continue – but I'll be leaving behind a spare set for Fearne.

"I think she's fantastic and I couldn't leave the show in a better pair of hands.

"I look forward to creating something fabulous for you all to listen to on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon."

Quote from Edith Bowman: "I've loved doing the afternoon show, it has given me so many great experiences but after five years I believe I've taken the show as far as I can.

"In that time my life has changed in many ways and moving to the Weekend Breakfast Show will give me far more flexibility to pursue other broadcast opportunities and personal goals that I haven't been able to take up in the past.

"In addition I'm also looking forward to new challenges with Radio 1 with both the weekend show but also getting more involved in new music on the station which remains my main passion."

CD2