The BBC has announced Radio 1's new schedule, which will see Nihal dropped from the weekend afternoon show, from September.

In a major shake-up of the station's weekday schedule popular presenter Jo Whiley will move from her eight-year old weekday morning show to Nihal's current 13:00 - 16:00 slot.

Nihal who has presented the weekend Radio 1 show for a year, will continue with his specialist show on Tuesday nights with Bobby Friction on Radio 1 and his weekday show on the Asian Network.

Also a part of the new changes, Fearne Cotton, who currently presents the 'Radio 1 Chart Show' will fly solo in the weekday morning 10:00 - 12:45 slot.

Radio 1 has also confirmed that Early Breakfast presenter Greg James is heading to afternoons (13:00 - 16:00); while Dev is shifting from 'Weekend Breakfast' to the weekday 'Early Breakfast Show' (04:00 - 06:30). As a result of changes to the weekday schedule, Edith Bowman will host 'Weekend Breakfast' (07:00 - 10:00).

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."

Andy Parfitt, Controller, Radio 1, adds, "BBC 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.

The changes come into effect from Monday 21st September.

Related links:
BBC Asian Network to rollout more changes
Nihal moves to Radio 1's weekend afternoons