RADIO listeners have woken up to the sound of Royton lad Nick Grimshaw for the last time after the broadcaster aired his final BBC Radio 1 breakfast show.
But evening commuters can still get their daily fix of the former Our Lady’s High School pupil as he swaps with Greg James to take on the 4-7pm drivetime slot from September 3.
Grimshaw – nicknamed ‘Grimmy’ – announced in May that he would be leaving the breakfast show this autumn six years after taking over from Chris Moyles.
He has become the second-longest serving breakfast show presenter in the station’s history after Tony Blackburn and has millions of listeners, as well as 2.07 million followers on Twitter.
On his final show, he started with a song played on his first show – a Kanye West and Jay-Z collaboration ‘N***** In Paris’ – as well as repeating various other songs from over the years.
And he replayed encounters and interviews with a host of celebrity guests from Adele to Harry Styles.
Ending the show, he said: “Thank you everybody who works here at Radio 1, everyone who’s worked on the show, thanks to all the DJs. It’s so fun coming here.
“I’ve wanted to do it since I was little and it’s even better than I thought it would be, so thank you everybody who’s made it so, so good.
“Thanks to everyone who has listened and contributed bits of their lives, they’ve made these six years as much as we have.
“Thank you everyone who texted in with stories about what they’ve done to their exes or left for your nan in the toilet, and all that nonsense.
“It’s been the best, I’ve had the time of my life, and thanks for listening. Have an amazing summer. I’m going to lie down for three weeks.”
When he announced his departure, Grimshaw admitted the early mornings had taken their toll and he is looking forward to reviving his love life to find “mister right”.
In a statement released by BBC Radio 1, he added: “I’ve had the time of my life doing the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and I’m proud to have been part of such an iconic show.
“Thanks to everyone that has listened and I can’t wait to set my alarm a little later and be back with you all at 4pm from September 3.”
Greg James said: “I am completely beside myself that I’ve been given the chance to present the most famous radio show in the world.
“It’s going to be the most enjoyable challenge I’ve ever undertaken and I can’t wait to get started.”