FEATURE:
Good Morning Good Morning
IN THIS PHOTO: Lauren Laverne/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
Reacting to Changes in the BBC Radio 6 Music Schedule
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A big change is happening…
IN THIS PHOTO: Lauren Laverne with Nick Grimshaw/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
on one of the nation’s best-loved radio stations: BBC Radio 6 Music. Since it first came to air in 2002, this station has always been the home of the best music. Maybe it was a bit Rock/Alternative-learning in the early years. In recent years, the station has evolved in terms of its musical spectrum. I find it is particularly fantastic when it comes to spotlighting the most original and interesting new artists. They do themed days. Yesterday (10th January) it was an all-‘90s day. Celebrating music from the decade. They have a great blend of presenters, many who have been there for years. It shows that the broadcasters love being at the station. We get used to the schedule being a certain way and it can be a shock or strange if things change. Until fairly recently, the breakfast show was presented by Lauren Laverne. She was then followed by Mary Anne Hobbs at 10:30. It is a dynamic partnership and bedrock of the morning schedule. It was a huge blow when Laverne was diagnosed with cancer last year. She understandably had to step back. Various presenters have covered for her. Most regularly and recently Nick Grimshaw. An experienced broadcaster and podcaster, he had some big shoes to fill but has done a fantastic job. Naturally slotting into the schedule, he has been rewarded by being named the new breakfast show host. Lauren Laverne is taking over the 10:30 slot. Mary Anne Hobbs is taking a sabbatical and will be back with a new show in the spring. It is an amazing that Lauren Laverne is back. No more early wake-up alarms. A new slot that she will add her stamp on, her breakfast show listeners will follow her. Nick Grimshaw will do fantastically on breakfast. It will be interesting to see what Mary Anne Hobbs does.
PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
The Guardian reacted to the news of a line-up shift and switch at BBC Radio 6 Music. Welcoming in a new face but also this exciting slot for Lauren Laverne. A big and happy return for one of its longest-standing and most adored voices. I cannot wait to hear the two of them side by side in the schedule:
“BBC presenter Lauren Laverne has announced that she will be stepping down as host of Radio 6 Music’s breakfast show. After six years of helming the morning show, she will be returning to her previous mid-morning slot.
She has not been presenting the show since August when she announced that she was undergoing treatment for a cancer diagnosis.
“As listeners will know, I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much,” said Laverne. “It has been a huge honour – and so much fun – to host the breakfast show for six wonderful years, but it is time to pass the baton on, and to set my alarm a little later.”
“During my recovery I learned all over again about the power of music, the people you surround yourself with and the emotional support and joy radio can provide. I’m so grateful to be able to get back to doing what I love and sharing those things with our brilliant listeners every day.”
Laverne’s new weekday show will feature her regular features Desert Island Disco and People’s Playlist, as well as live sessions. Mary Anne Hobbs will be taking a sabbatical and will return to 6 Music later in the spring with a new show.
The new host of the 6 Music breakfast show will be Nick Grimshaw, who has been presenting in Laverne’s absence. “I’ve had the greatest four months covering for Lauren,” said Grimshaw. “6 Music is a precious place, a station I love. I’m honestly honoured to be asked to work there and can’t wait to continue supplying the best new music from the world’s most interesting artists.”
The changes will take place in February, with Nemone hosting the breakfast show from 13 January. Laverne’s return to 6 Music follows her receiving the all clear after treatment, having announced in November that she would be “back to work” soon”.
After a scary moment last year when Lauren Laverne revealed her cancer diagnosis and we did not know whether you she would be back on the station, I can understand why she has stepped down from breakfast. After a gruelling past few months or so, she does need to readjust. This new morning slot will be perfect for her. Even though she has to say goodbye to her production team, she also knows that this is a big opportunity. Getting the all-clear from cancer – though she is obviously still not quite 100% yet -, Laverne will be welcomed back with open arms! This is what she said in an Instagram post from Thursday:
“Popped up on air @bbc6music with this handsome Dan today to announce that @nicholasgrimshaw will be the new 6Music breakfast show host, I will be moving to mid mornings and the wonderful @maryannehobbs_ will start a new show later this spring. These transitions are always more emotional than you’d imagine they might be, and for me that is very much about the incredible team in pic 2 - who made it such a joy to host the breakfast show every day for the past six years. It’s been a time of momentous change for me personally and we all went through a pandemic, during which we were on air for 4h every weekday. I can honestly say that no matter what life was throwing at us, it was truly a pleasure to go to work every single day. I always looked forward to seeing these faces, sharing brilliant music and hearing what our listeners had to say, and I will miss our team so much. I hope we made your mornings brighter and set you up for the day and I know Nick will continue doing that. As for mid mornings, I can’t wait to get started. Thank you for all the kind messages of encouragement and support today, and for listening to our station. We’re all so lucky and proud to be part of it”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Mary Anne Hobbs/PHOTO CREDIT: Darren Skene
Although it has been a changing and often bleak time for Lauren Laverne, she has come out of the other end. After briefly returning to BBC Radio 6 Music to speak with Nick Grimshaw on Thursday (8th January), we got the news that Grimshaw is taking over the breakfast show and Laverne will follow him. Mary Anne Hobbs will be away for a while but will return with a new show. A hugely important radio station has undergone changes through the years. Some of them have been welcomed but a few of them have not. This line-up change has been met with largely positive reception. Nick Grimshaw has been greeted fondly by listeners and has been doing a fantastic job! Everyone is relieved and happy Lauren Laverne is back and will present the show previously hosted by Mary Anne Hobbs. Though she joked she would not miss the very early wake-ups, it is for the better. After her cancer diagnosis and treatment, she at least will be able to have a more normal sleep pattern. I am going to be really interested seeing how the shoes unfold and sound. Nick Grimshaw bringing his own dynamic to breakfast. How Lauren Laverne takes to a timeslot that she used to host. It will not be a shock for her but nor will it be a repeat of what she did before. A new chapter for BBC Radio 6 Music, whether you are a new convert or have been a listener for years, this is a positive step. A new voice on the station and perhaps a more suitable timeslot for one of its very best. Details are scares regarding Mary Anne Hobbs’s new show, though you know it is going to be amazing! I am looking forward to hearing Nick Grimshaw and Lauren Laverne stand alongside one another. A slightly new schedule that seems beneficial to all affected, BBC Radio 6 Music has seems to be going from…
STRENGTH to strength.