GK Barry's first show on BBC Radio 1 has been panned by listeners, who say her pre-recorded programme should not have replaced Mollie King and Matt Edmondson's live slot. The social media influencer, 27, has been given a two-hour Radio 1 show every Thursday at 1pm, taking over the timeslot Mollie and Matt normally host together live.
GK, whose real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling, has worked as a relief presenter for the station over the past year but has little live radio experience. Her podcast, Saving Grace, has 545,000 subscribers, and critics have argued since the show was announced that success as a podcast host does not automatically translate to radio. The GK Barry Show is understood to be pre-recorded mainly to prevent accidental swearing going out live and to fit around her busy schedule.
Listeners react to the debut show
After the first episode aired on Thursday, listeners took to Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions.
Many were unimpressed. "Why is she pre-recording it? No show in the daytime should be anything but live," one wrote, while others posted "Justice for Matt and Mollie. We want them back on Thursdays," "Already had enough" and "No chance of that happening anyway since it's pre-recorded which is madness."
Other comments read: "Poor Matt and Mollie who are great reduced to a three day week to accommodate her"; "I fear R1s demise... although I'm not the demographic for this station, if it wasn't for Greg/Jack/Pete Tony/Matt it would be a rubbish listen"; "Her show isn't even live... it's pre-recorded!"; and "Why on earth have you reduced Matt and Mollie down to a three day show for this? Literally the only show on weekdays worth listening to besides Greg."
Not everyone was critical. "All these negative comments if you don't like GK turn over, simple. I think she's doing well, her mum's laugh is contagious and Ella did well not to swear," one fan wrote, with others adding "Love this new addition... love you GKB," "Greattt content" and "J'obsessed."
When one person asked why people were "so sentimental" about radio, others hit back. "Maybe because it plays a big part in their daily routine? I'd switch to Capital if they didn't have ad breaks. And Radio 2 isn't the same vibe," one reply read, while another said: "What a weird and outrageous thing to say! Because it's a huge part of many people's lives day in and day out. That's why. People may not want another station."
Further comments included: "People like BBC cos they don't have annoying adverts every two minutes. Radio 1 is hanging by a thread. Greg single-handedly holding it together"; "Is that because she's pre-recorded and not live like every other daytime DJ?"; "Be better off without her on Radio 1"; and "You wonder why people switch over to BBC Radio 2."
One longtime listener wrote: "I've listened to Radio 1 since I was 16 in my first ever job in 1986 and at 57 this weekend I think that it's just tripe now, the only show worth anything is Greg James I was going to wait til he retires but with Jeremiah and this absolute nonsense I really think I'm done. Signing out."
GK Barry, who also appears as a panellist on Loose Women, said before the show launched: "I am really excited to be back hosting a series of my own BBC Radio 1 shows from this September. You'll be hearing my favourite songs, we'll be speaking with some really exciting guests and, as always, in true GK Barry style, I promise a lot of humour, chaos and embarrassing stories along the way!"
Radio 1's wider shake-up
GK Barry's arrival is part of a broader shake-up at Radio 1 that includes replacing established broadcasters with online influencers. Earlier this week, Radio 1 star Nat O'Leary said an emotional goodbye to her show after five years on air. Six presenters were axed from the station in July, including Dean McCullough and Melvin Odoom, clearing the way for new talent as bosses look to refresh the schedule.
Nat confirmed on Instagram that her final show aired on Saturday at 10.30am. In a photo taken at an airport, she wrote: "After 5 amazing years at @bbcradio1, I'm leaving. To those of you who have listened, messaged in and supported me along the way, thank YOU. My dream came true through this 'job' and I'll be eternally grateful for all the memories. Can't wait to show you what's coming next x."
She also posted videos and pictures on her Instagram story from her final day on air, featuring co-presenter Vicky Hawkesworth, 30, and producer Luciano Domenico, thanking fans for "everything," including their "lovely messages," before signing off: "I've had the time of my life on Radio 1." Nat had joined Radio 1 permanently in July 2022, after a stint of cover work and featuring on the station's Christmas Presenter Scheme in late 2021.
New faces join the line-up
Nat's exit came alongside the departures of presenters Swarzy, Rickie Haywood-Williams and James Cusack. GK Barry and influencer Charley Marlowe are among their replacements. Marlowe, who narrated the BBC Three dating series I Kissed A Girl and previously had a stint presenting Radio 1's early breakfast show, has landed a new role joining Vicky Hawkesworth between 10.30am and 1pm from Friday to Sunday.
Dean McCullough's exit
Dean McCullough, 34, was pictured smiling as he left the station for the final time, having said he had "sacrificed his public views and a part of his voice" for his BBC career. He began at Radio 1 six years ago as a stand-in presenter, before landing the mid-morning weekend slot, then Scott Mills's former Afternoon Show in 2022, and Early Breakfast in 2024.
On Instagram on the eve of his final show, McCullough said he had struggled to comply with the BBC's strict impartiality guidelines after years of being outspoken as an "out and proud" gay man on the LGBTQ+ station Gaydio.
He wrote: "I wanted to speak openly about my feelings of arriving at BBC Radio 1 6 years ago already broadcasting as an out and proud as a gay man. I'd spent 3 and a half years at LGBTQ+ station Gaydio being outspoken and opinionated on air. Moving to the BBC meant sacrificing my public views and in turn, a part of my voice. It's not been easy and I've had to do a lot of my advocacy in the shadows."
"But this chapter has been full of learnings and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to my listeners and producers, the people that matter, for just allowing me to be me. You've no idea how much that means to me and for other queer people in this space."
He continued: "And look, it's not my story to 'fit in' and 'be everyone's cup of tea' that's extremely boring to me. If I've learnt anything in my 16 years of being a presenter it's 'speak from your heart and the right people will hear you'."
Who is replacing the axed presenters
Award-winning duo Mylo & Rosie will take over McCullough's slot, following a ten-year stint at Hits Radio West Yorkshire, where they won multiple ARIAs. James Cusack's Weekend Breakfast will now be hosted by Emil Franchi, 33, from Durham, who broke into radio through university stations.
Charlie Hedges will continue fronting the Live Lounge but will be joined by Jeremiah Asiamah, who replaces Melvin Odoom, 46, and Rickie Haywood-Williams, who had presented since 2019. Asiamah, 28, is known for his high-energy music sets and appeared at Glastonbury last year.
Station boss Aled Haydn Jones is said to believe that bringing in content creators such as GK Barry and Charley Marlowe will bring in more listeners and generate greater engagement with the station.
