Annie Mac leaves BBC Radio 1 after 17 years

Annie Mac leaving Radio 1 after 17 years

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(Video by Evening Standard)

Annie Mac is set to leave BBC Radio 1 after 17 years. The Irish presenter – full name Annie MacManus – currently presents the new music show Future Sounds on weekdays between 6 and 8pm, as well as a dance music-oriented Friday night show. Clara Amfo, the BBC broadcaster who competed in the most recent series of Strictly Come Dancing, will take over Mac’s Future Sounds show from September, with Danny Howard replacing Mac in the Friday night Dance Party slot.

© Provided by The Guardian Photograph: JM Enternational/Rex/Shutterstock

In a statement, the BBC said that Mac had fronted “some incredible moments on BBC Radio 1 from live sessions to landmark interviews with the world’s biggest artists. Sending all of our love, appreciation and luck for the future to Annie.” Mac told her followers on Twitter and Instagram that it was “hard to articulate what this job has meant to me”, going on to outline her career trajectory since joining the station as a production assistant in 2002, and landing her first solo show – Annie Mac’s Mashup – in 2004.

© 2020 British Podcast Awards UNSPECIFIED – JULY 11: In this screengrab Annie Mac presents the “Listener’s Choice Award” supported by BBC Sounds, to Chris & Rosie Ramsey for their ‘Shagged Married Annoyed’ podcast during the 2020 British Podcast Awards on July 11, 2020. (Photo by British Podcast Awards/British Podcast Awards via Getty Images)

“I’m still in awe of the magic of music radio,” said Mac. “Of the responsibility of handling these songs that are so powerful they can stop you in your tracks and make your emotions soar. I have never not walked out of the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in”.

Explaining her decision to leave the station, Mac – whose debut novel, Mother Mother, is due for publication in May – said that she wanted to spend more time with her two children, and to work on writing fiction and podcasting. The presenter currently hosts the popular podcast Changes with Annie MacManus, which sees her interview fellow creatives about changes in their personal and professional lives.

© 2019 Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: (FOR EDITORIAL USE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 2019 HYUNDAI MERCURY PRIZE ONLY) Judge Annie Mac attends the Hyundai Mercury Prize: Albums of the Year at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on September 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

She added that: “I also love the idea of leaving the party (and make no mistake working at Radio 1 does feel like a party) with a huge smile on my face, when I’m still having the most fun I can have. I will be coming back to radio broadcasting when the time is right”. She thanked listeners for “allowing me into your lives. Thank you for brightening my days.” Her last show will be broadcast on 30 July.

© 2019 SOPA Images CAMP BESTIVAL, LULWORTH, DORSET, UNITED KINGDOM – 2019/07/28: Irish DJ and BBC electronic dance music radio 1 show host Annie MacManus , aka Annie Mac, performing DJ set live on stage at Camp Bestival , family music and arts festival. (Photo by Dawn Fletcher-Park/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Amfo was made presenter of The Official Chart on Radio 1 in 2015, and also presents the Live Lounge, where artists perform covers of existing hits. Amfo said she was “beyond honoured and ready to start this exciting new chapter on Radio 1. I’m such a fan of this show, the artists that is has championed and to be receiving the baton from Annie who I love and respect makes it extra special for me”.