BBC Newsbeat
Getty ImagesRadio 1 presenter Jamie Laing will be joined by his wife Sophie Habboo to co-host the station’s afternoon show, it has been announced.
Sophie will do a three-week stint covering for Jamie’s current presenting partner Vick Hope while she’s on maternity leave.
Social media star GK Barry will also join the station, taking over Sam MacGregor and Danni Diston’s weekend show when the duo move to join Jamie on his weekday drive time slot from July.
Made in Chelsea stars Jamie and Sophie already co-host the NewlyWeds podcast which, according to Spotify, is one of the 50 most popular podcasts in the UK.
The new line-up was announced on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James when the couple dialled in to the station.
Jamie says he “searched far and wide” for someone who could handle being his co-host, with Sophie adding she’s probably the “only person who can put up with him for three hours a day”.
“Sophie’s going to step in and I can promise you this, if we have an argument it will be on the show,” Jamie says.
Sophie says she’s “so excited… it’s going to be amazing.
“The only thing I’m worried about is Jamie’s not going to let me speak at all.
“My dad’s the biggest Radio 1 fan ever so he’s over the moon.”
Getty ImagesThere has been a mixed reaction from Radio 1 listeners to the announcement.
Some criticised the decision to offer the role to a reality TV star over a professional presenter.
There was similar criticism when Jamie took over from Jordan North in 2024 but Radio 1 says he has become a “firm favourite” with listeners.
Sophie and Jamie met on the set of E4’s Made in Chelsea, which follows the lives of rich 20-somethings living in the exclusive London borough.
The head of Radio 1, Aled Jones, says it will be a first time a married couple has presented together on the network.
Getty ImagesJamie previously presented the programme as a trio with Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton, who has also been on maternity leave since February.
GK Barry will take over Sam and Danni’s slot from 4 July.
“I am so excited to be presenting my own show with BBC Radio 1 across July,” she says.
“I thank the whole team for trusting me with such an incredible audience and I’m ready to bring you all into my world and music a few hours a week.”
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