Nick Grimshaw debuts on Radio 1 breakfast show
Nick Grimshaw has today taken to the airwaves on Radio 1’s flagship breakfast show and in the process has now become one of the country’s most high-profile gay broadcasters.
Earlier this summer, it was announced that Grimshaw would be taking over from Radio 1’s long-serving and controversial breakfast host Chris Moyles – who on occasion, during his eight-and-a-half-year reign angered gay rights campaigners by some of his allegedly anti-gay jokes and questionable antics.
Today, in an exclusive interview with PinkNews.co.uk, Scott Mills, Radio 1’s veteran afternoon presenter – who like Grimshaw is also openly gay – spoke about the contentious issue of ‘ageing’ and also revealed that he would eventually like to move to BBC Radio 2.
Earlier this month, 37-year-old Mills spoke of his disappointment at ultimately missing out on the prize morning slot in favour of the younger Grimshaw.
Initial newspaper comments of Grimshaw’s first outing on the breakfast show seem positive, although many point to the fact that he wasn’t Chris Moyles.
In a live blog, the Mirror’s Rachael Wheeler said Grimshaw was keen to make references to his celebrity friends – in a similar fashion to Moyles.
She added: “Nick is good with the listeners, we’ll give him that. Whereas Chris Moyles used to rip them apart and leave them with low self esteem and a sore ear, Nick is proper friendly with them”.
The Telegraph’s Michael Hogan said: “The show has swapped a DJ who used “gay” as an insult to a gay DJ; one who prefers music to the sound of his own voice; one much more in touch with its target audience of teens and twentysomethings. Ratings might fall but credibility will rise”.
Grimshaw’s first words on air at 6.35 am this morning were:
“So this is happening, it’s actually happening. Good morning Britain, I’m Nick Grimshaw.
“It’s time to follow in the footsteps of people I like, like Chris Moyles and Sara Cox. I’m nervous, happy and desperate to get on with it.
“It’s time to start the difficult job of talking between records.
“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little boy. Let’s do it!” before playing his first track Kanye West and Jay-Z’s duet N**gas In Paris.
Showing there were no hard feelings between the two DJs, Moyles actually sent a good luck card to Grimshaw, who read out the card live on air: “Good luck with the new show, enjoy it see you soon, from Chris, former owner of the breakfast show.”
