91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 and 91Èȱ¬ Radio 1Xtra DJs are set to bring their family and friends into work for the day as part of the latest social action project. Following the success of the Summer Surgery Specials in July, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 and 1Xtra are hosting a series of Relationship Surgery Specials next week (Monday 29 November to Sunday 5 December) which will tackle issues around family, friends and love.

Throughout the week, both networks will look at the complexities of different kinds of relationships with a series of simulcast one-hour Surgery shows specials at 9pm, co-presented by Aled Haydn Jones and Radio 1Xtra's Breakfast Show host Gemma Cairney.

Aled and Gemma will be joined by a variety of Radio 1 Surgery resident experts, Dr Mel Sayer, Dr Stuart Flanagan and psychotherapist Aaron Balick, offering a wide range of advice and support for listeners.

Simulcast shows in Relationships week are: Families on Monday, when Aled and Gemma look at getting on with parents, divorce and sibling rivalry; Friendships on Tuesday, where they explore all aspects of friendships including peer pressure, jealousy and social networking; and Love on Wednesday, when they consider sex, self confidence, making up and breaking up.

Both Radio 1 and 1Xtra shows will reflect the themes each day across the schedule. On Monday, the DJs will be getting into the spirit and be bringing their family members into work with them.

On Tuesday, for Friends day, the DJs will be encouraged to bring their friends along to work – The Chris Moyles Show will be calling on friends of the show to take part in regular features including Carpark Catchphrase and Nicole Scherzinger will be interviewed by Greg James's mate.

As Wednesday is all about love, DJs from Radio 1 and 1Xtra are set to take part in speed-dating along with some of their celebrity friends.

The special week culminates on Sunday 5 December when The Surgery goes on the road for a live simulcast from a sixth-form college in front of an audience of 16 to- 18-year-olds.

Aled Haydn Jones, presenter of The Surgery, says: "Out of all of our social action campaigns, Relationships is the one most likely to resonate with all of our listeners – everyone has issues with relationships, whether it's with friends, family or partners.

"I'm really looking forward to getting to grips with some of the problems that our listeners are willing to open up about – and it's great that the other DJs are going to get stuck into the themes, too!"

Each evening The Surgery is on air, Radio 1 and 1Xtra will be inviting experts to host live web chats on Facebook, where they'll be answering questions on the themes of each show. These will take place between 8-10pm.

Across Radio 1 and 1Xtra social spaces, listeners will be encouraged to display their love for their nearest and dearest by devoting their Facebook/Twitter profile pictures to their mums, dads, siblings, or even best friends.

A brand-new game will also be launched on the Radio 1 website called Gary the Matchbot. The game will enable listeners to match themselves with celebrities and their Facebook friends.

Radio 1 is available on FM, DAB, Digital TV and online at bbc.co.uk/radio1.

Notes to Editors

Radio 1 and 1Xtra's social action campaigns are an integral part of the stations' ethos and service to young people – offering support networks/information and a platform for young people to give their opinions.

The stations have an exceptional reputation for raising awareness of different topics and for the information they provide. Recent campaigns have included anti-bullying, body image, volunteering and The Summer Surgery.

On Radio 1, Sunday evening (9-10pm) plays host to The Surgery, presented by Aled Haydn Jones. This features debates and specials covering relevant citizenship and topical themes. The programme content offers support and access to experts such as Dr Mel, who specialises in medical and emotional issues, and Dr Stuart, who helps with sexual health and relationship problems.

Radio 1's daily Newsbeat provides a comprehensive service targeted at young audiences, explaining key issues and offering opportunities for people to express their views.

Teenage depression, interest rates and the credit crunch, plus the debate around the reclassification of cannabis, are among the subjects that have generated significant audience feedback.

TM