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Radio 1 drops DJ Steve Lamacq after 16 years
Last updated at 08:55am on 11.08.09DJ Steve Lamacq is to be dropped by Radio 1 after 16 years, it was announced today, as the BBC continues its revamp of the station.
Dropped: Steve Lamacq will leave Radio 1 in September
The 43-year-old's Monday night programme showcasing new indie music will make way for a new series of music documentaries exploring artists, eras and genres.
The decision to axe Lamacq comes after Jo Whiley, 44, lost her prime mid-morning Radio 1 slot to Fearne Cotton.
Lamacq, who will continue his shows on Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music, said: "It was a wonderful opportunity to try and subvert pop music radio from within, which I hope we managed to do more often than not."
The move comes as Radio 1 chiefs try to give the station a facelift to make it more appealing to younger listeners.
Ben Cooper, deputy controller of Radio 1, said: "Radio 1 must continue to evolve to help sharpen our offer to younger audiences.
"We're committed to delivering the best content to our audiences and our refreshed schedule reflects this."
The shake-up also sees hip-hop DJ Tim Westwood lose his Tuesday night show to make way for a new music, film and games review and discussion programme hosted by Nihal.
Westwood, 51, will also have his Saturday night show halved from four hours to two, but he will now host the BBC 1Xtra drivetime show.
Nihal's former collaborator Bobby Friction will also leave the station.
Friday night will remain dedicated to dance, but Pete Tong and Annie Mac are to swap slots, with Mac taking the 7pm-9pm stint and Tong spinning the discs from 9pm to 11pm.
Mac said: "I'm delighted to be kicking off the weekend on Radio 1 and it's an honour to be following in the footsteps of Pete Tong.
"He's leaving big shoes for me to fill, but I'm really looking forward to bringing the mash-up to a wider audience."
Tong will also lose his Thursday night show, to be replaced by In New DJs We Trust, showcasing up-and-coming DJs playing new club tunes.
Andy Parfitt, the controller of Radio 1, said: "Taken together with our recent revamp of the core daytime schedule, this represents one of the most significant shake-ups of the whole schedule in recent times and will help us focus on a new generation of Radio 1 listeners."
The schedule changes come into effect from September 21.
