Fans defend Nick Grimshaw as he takes over Lauren Laverne's 6 Music breakfast show
The BBC radio station has had a schedule shake-up, with Lauren Laverne moving to mid-mornings while her cover presenter is made permanent.
What did you miss?
Lauren Laverne has announced she is stepping down from the BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show after six years, with her cover presenter Nick Grimshaw replacing her — and listeners have defended the new host, saying he has proved himself as "a great stand-in".
Grimshaw, who has previously hosted BBC Radio 1 Breakfast, was not welcomed by every 6 Music listener. But many spoke out in his defence, claiming he had "matured" since his Radio 1 days.
Laverne said in a statement she was looking forward to returning to the station after a "really tough 2024" where she was diagnosed with cancer and had to take time off from presenting.
What, how, and why?
Nick Grimshaw's announcement as Lauren Laverne's replacement on BBC Radio 6 Music's Breakfast Show was not welcomed by everyone, as one person wrote on X: "Not a fan of Nick Grimshaw taking over the BBC 6 Music breakfast show. He's too ... breakfasty."
Someone else commented on Instagram: "Sorry but Nick isn’t a good choice for 6 music." Another commenter added: "I think the essence of 6 is slowly dwindling into a good BBC 2 and I will miss the education in both music and art that Mary Anne (Hobbs, leaving her role) brings to the station."
But many of the station's listeners backed Grimshaw, saying they had been pleasantly surprised by how he had proved himself and "matured" while covering for Laverne who took time off after being diagnosed with cancer. One fan commented: "I'm glad they've given the 6 Music breakfast show to Nick Grimshaw. He's been great standing in for Lauren Laverne while she was off ill all those months. Really enjoy listening to him every morning driving to work."
Read more:
Lauren Laverne Announces She's Leaving Her BBC Radio 6 Music Show (HuffPost, 2 min read)
Nick Grimshaw's mum framed his BBC Radio 1 rejection letter for Christmas present (Yahoo, 2 min read)
BBC Radio 6 Music details new 2025 schedule (Rolling Stone, 2 min read)
Another listener added: "I've absolutely loved Nick Grimshaw on the 6 Music breakfast show and no, I'm not a radio 1 kid. I'm a 45 year old long time 6 listener. He's funny, upbeat and seemingly has a great taste in music now he's not constrained by the 1 playlist. Leave him be."
One person posted: "I was never a fan of Nick Grimshaw on radio 1. I felt he was false to pander to a terrible audience however since listening to him on radio 2 covering for Rylan and others it seems I was wrong. He’s matured and got out of a s*** environment so fair play to him."
"Taking back anything I may have said about Nick Grimshaw being 'not a breakfast presenter'. Has done alright on 6, and will do even moreso come February," wrote one listener in his defence.
Someone else agreed: "Well that's a great start to the year. Lauren Laverne returning to 6 Music and Nick Grimshaw remaining as breakfast host. Couldn't have asked for better start to the day."
Others pointed out early morning breakfast listeners would be spoilt for choice in 2025, posting: "So from February, we’re going to have Chris Moyles, Greg James, Scott Mills, Nick Grimshaw and Jordan North all on breakfast radio? Radio 1 kids of a certain era are in their element right now."
"The breakfast show competition now across the country is insane. Chris Evans, Chris Moyles, Nick Grimshaw, Scott Mills and Greg James all on at the exact same time," another commenter agreed.
One listener commented on Instagram: "Excellent - Nick followed by Lauren sounds like a proper morning tonic! Look forward to it!"
What did Lauren Laverne and Nick Grimshaw say about the 6 Music shake-up?
Laverne has hosted the station's breakfast show for six years, but the One Show and Desert Island Discs presenter took time off work in 2024 after being diagnosed with cancer.
As the schedule change was announced, she shared that she was excited to return to 6 Music where she will move to a mid-morning show.
Laverne said: "As listeners will know, I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much. It has been a huge honour (and so much fun) to host the Breakfast Show for six wonderful years, but it is time to pass the baton on, and to set my alarm a little later.
"During my recovery I learned all over again about the power of music, the people you surround yourself with and the emotional support and joy radio can provide. I’m so grateful to be able to get back to doing what I love and sharing those things with our brilliant listeners every day."
Grimshaw, who was a judge on the X Factor's 2015 series, has been hosting in her absence, but he will be covered by Nemone from Monday 13 January until the new show launch in February.
He said: "I’ve had the greatest four months covering for Lauren and I can’t wait to continue waking you up on 6 Music. I want to say thank you to the listeners who’ve made me feel so welcome over the past few months and to Lauren’s fantastic team who have been imperative in making me so happy on air. 6 Music is a precious place, a station I love, I’m honestly honoured to be asked to work there and can’t wait to continue supplying the best new music from the world’s most interesting artists."
BBC 6Music's breakfast show airs at 7:30am on weekdays.
