Though the Burnley native had not initially announced or commented on his departure, he took to Instagram yesterday to break the silence and thank his colleagues, fellow presenters and listeners throughout the years. He said: “I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful colleagues / talented producers at Radio 1 who many I consider to be friends for life and will miss greatly, you’ve all reached out to me over the past 24 hours and it really has meant a lot.”

He added: “To my amazing fellow presenters I wish I could thank you all personally, I’ve loved working with you it’s been an absolute blast! Big love to Katie Thisleton, Greg James, Arielle Free, Ricky, Melvin & Charlie, Dean & Vicky, Clara Amfo, Matt & Molly, Scott Mills, Grimmy, all the rest of you fantastic lot, and of course my partner in crime Vick Hope…I’ll miss being on air with you every day. MOST IMPORTANTLY the biggest of thank yous to the fantastic listeners who have been really generous and always made me feel welcome, your kind words & messages have been so lovely, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I’ll be back soon, and can’t wait to see you all again.”

The announcement marks a new era for the station, with Laing as the distinctive new voice of the primetime spot. The presenter rose to fame in the early 2010s during the height of the hit reality TV show Made in Chelsea. Laing has since founded multiple successful businesses such as Candy Kittens and JamPot Productions, as well as the incredibly popular comedy podcast ‘Newlyweds‘ who he hosts alongside his wife Sophie.

Having previously worked at the station during Mollie King’s maternity leave, Laing has referred to working at BBC Radio 1 and the new opportunity as “an absolute dream”, and promises to make it “the best show I possibly can for the listeners who love it so much.” Laing is expected to make his debut on the show alongside Vick Hope on Monday March 4. You can listen to the show from 15:30 – 18:00 every Monday to Thursday.

He shared the news on social media: “Some news I can finally share after giving it some thought for a while….I have decided that after 14 years on air it’s time for me to leave Radio 1. It was my childhood dream to work here and I have truly had the time of my life. But now is time for a change“.

Some news I can finally share after giving it some thought for a while….I have decided that after 14 years on air it’s time for me to leave Radio 1. It was my childhood dream to work here and I have truly had the time of my life. But now is time for a change

— nick grimshaw (@grimmers) June 30, 2021

Grimshaw started his journey with Radio 1 show in 2007 when he co-presented a youth show with Annie Mac, then he took over Chris Moyles on the Breakfast Show back in 2012. In 2018 he swapped with Greg James over the drivetime show.  It’s confirmed that Grimshaw last show will be on 12th August and Vick and Jordan will take over on the 6th September. Speaking about his show, Grimshaw said that the decision came to him after “the most surreal, weirdest 18 months of life ever. You take stock in times like this and you look at your life. I looked at mine and I wanted to make that change“. Grimshaw thanked his fans on Twitter posting: “I want to thank you, the R1 listeners for joining me on this journey. Thank you for being a massive part of my life and sharing your lives with me on the radio every day. Thank you for providing endless hilarity, passion and an unquenchable eagerness to ‘avvvvv it“. Noth also shared the news on social media: “We have massive shoes to fill taking over from Grimmy but I’m super excited and look forward to this next chapter with Vick and @BBCR1“. 

Ok so erm…I have some pretty exciting news…from September I’m going to be presenting Radio 1’s drive time show with the brilliant @VickNHope!

We have massive shoes to fill taking over from Grimmy but I’m super excited and look forward to this next chapter with Vick and @BBCR1 pic.twitter.com/CwbIBjzS4D

— Jordan North (@jordannorth1) June 30, 2021

Vick Hope added in a statement: “I love Radio 1 so, so much, having grown up tuning in religiously every single day, it means the world to be taking the reins at home-time with the phenomenal Mr North“. 

“Grimmy is an absolute legend of the game, thank you mate for every laugh you’ve sent rippling through the country. Taking over drive is a task we won’t be taking lightly, but Jordan and I are ready to put our all into making your journey home that little bit brighter” she added.

Another recent Radio leaver Annie Mac will host her last show on the 30th of July.