Why are Radio 1’s top DJs getting Christmas off?

MOST of us look forward to some time off work over Christmas, and Radio 1’s DJs are no exception.

But the BBC has decided to let some of the station’s biggest stars put their feet up over the festive season – and draft in unknown youngsters from hospital and student radio to replace them.

The broadcaster has launched an appeal for ‘emerging new talent’ to fill six days of slots between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, as established presenters including Greg James, Clara Amfo, Scott Mills and Nick Grimshaw are expected to take a break.

The Christmas holiday for some of Radio 1’s best-paid stars comes after eyebrows were raised when six Radio 2 presenters, including Zoe Ball and Ken Bruce, took time off for half-term in May this year. Radio 1 is hoping to hand nearly all of the daytime slots with ‘new aspiring radio presenters’, and would ideally like to fill the entire Christmas schedule with new faces.

According to insiders the number of shows given to new presenters depends on the strength of the applications.

The BBC says it wants youngsters who have experience at a ‘community, hospital, student or local radio station’ to submit demo tapes to the Radio 1 website. Aled Haydn-Jones, head of programmes at Radio 1 said: ‘We’re passionate about finding and developing new talent.

‘We’re excited to be able to offer this opportunity to give some new young presenters a very public platform to help them establish their footing in the industry.’

Current Radio 1 presenters James and Grimshaw began their careers on student stations. Mills also worked on hospital radio when he was young.