BBC Radio 1 star Nat O'Leary emotional after final show as bosses replace established presenters with influencers

BBC Radio 1 star Nat O'Leary has bid an emotional goodbye to her show after five years on air - as bosses confirm plans to replace established presenters with influencers. Six stars of the radio station were axed in July - including Dean McCullough and Melvin Odoom - clearing the way for new talent as bosses seek to refresh the show. Now, Ms O'Leary has said farewell to the station for the last time, confirming on Instagram her last show would be Saturday at 10.30am. In a picture taken in an airport, the radio star wrote: 'After 5 amazing years at @bbcradio1, I'm leaving. 'To those of you who have listened, messaged in and supported me along the way, thank YOU. My dream came true through this 'job' and I'll be eternally grateful for all the memories.'Can't wait to show you what's coming next x.'Ms O'Leary also posted a series of videos and pictures to her Instagram story documenting her final day on air, featuring co-presenter Vicky Hawkesworth, 30, and producer Luciano Domenico.She then thanked fans for 'everything' including their 'lovely messages,' before signing off: 'I've had the time of my life on Radio 1.' Weekend presenter Nat O'Leary has bid an emotional goodbye to her show after five years on airShe took to Instagram in an emotional message saying goodbye to BBC Radio 1Ms O'Leary permanently joined BBC Radio 1 in, following a stint doing cover work and featuring on the station's Christmas Presenter Scheme in late 2021. Her exit comes as presenters like Swarzy, Rickie Haywood-Williams and James Cusack also depart from the show - with I'm A Celebrity star GK Barry and influencer Charley Marlowe among their replacements.Plans have also been made for a series of new shows and reshuffles in hosting. Social media influencer GK Barry has been handed a two-hour BBC Radio 1 slot starting every weekday at 1pm, which will get under way later this month.GK – whose real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling – has previously acted as a relief presenter for the station in the last year and, while she has little live radio experience, her podcast Saving Grace, which she launched in 2022, is a massive hit, attracting high-profile guests and thousands of weekly streams.Previously, the Loose Women panellist has said of the gig: 'I am really excited to be back hosting a series of my own BBC Radio 1 shows from this September.'You'll be hearing my favourite songs, we'll be speaking with some really exciting guests and, as always, in true GK Barry style, I promise a lot of humour, chaos and embarrassing stories along the way!'Influencer Charley Marlowe – who narrated the BBC Three dating series I Kissed A Girl and had a stint presenting Radio 1's early breakfast show – has also landed a role presenting on the show. Internet personality, podcaster and I'm A Celeb star GK Barry will present a series of Radio 1 programmes during the year, beginning with a six-week run from September 10 at 1pm Content creator Charley Marlowe – who narrated the BBC Three dating series I Kissed A Girl – has also been appointed to the BBC Radio 1 team Station boss Aled Haydn Jones (pictured with Mollie King and Matt Edmondson, right) is said to believe bringing in content creators will mean more listeners and more engagementShe will join Vicky Hawkesworth between 10.30am and 1pm from Friday to Sunday.Earlier this week, axed presenter Dean McCullough, 34, was pictured smiling as he left work at the radio station for the final time, after claiming he had 'sacrificed his public views and a part of his voice' for his BBC career.He began his tenure at Radio 1 six years ago as a stand-in presenter before landing the mid-morning weekend slot, followed by Scott Mills's former Afternoon Show in 2022, and then Early Breakfast in 2024. Taking to his Instagram on the eve of his final show, the former early Early Breakfast host admitted he struggled to comply with the BBC's strict impartiality guidelines after years of being opinionated as an 'out and proud as a gay man' in his former role on LGBTQ+ station Gaydio. Alongside a video montage and voiceover from his penultimate show, Mr McCullough spoke out after six years on the BBC, noting that it's 'not been easy' and that he's had to advocate for his community 'in the shadows'. Dean wrote: 'I wanted to speak openly about my feelings of arriving at BBC Radio 1 6 years ago already broadcasting as an out and proud as a gay man.'I'd spent 3 and a half years at LGBTQ+ station Gaydio being outspoken and opinionated on air. Moving to the BBC meant sacrificing my public views and in turn, a part of my voice. It's not been easy and I've had to do a lot of my advocacy in the shadows.'But this chapter has been full of learnings and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to my listeners and producers, the people that matter, for just allowing me to be me. You've no idea how much that means to me and for other queer people in this space.' Early Breakfast host Dean McCullough was one of six DJ's to lose their jobs in the huge BBC schedule shakeup Mr McCullough smiled as he left work at the radio station for the final time On Instagram, he admitted he struggled to adhere to the BBC's strict impartiality guidelines Earlier this month, Melvin Odoom revealed he's set to become a father for the first time as his girlfriend Hannah Holland is pregnantHe continued: 'And look, it's not my story to 'fit in' and 'be everyone's cup of tea' that's extremely boring to me. If I've learnt anything in my 16 years of being a presenter it's 'speak from your heart and the right people will hear you'.Award-winning duo Mylo & Rosie will take over Mr McCullough's slot, following a 10-year stint at Hits Radio West Yorkshire where they won multiple ARIAs.Meanwhile, James Cusack's Weekend Breakfast will now be hosted by Emil Franchi, 33, from Durham, who broke into the industry through university radio.Charlie Hedges will continue fronting the popular Live Lounge but will be joined by Jeremiah Asiamah, who replaces Melvin Odoom, 46, and Rickie Haywood-Williams, who joined in 2019. Asiamah, 28, is known for his high-energy music sets and last year appeared at Glastonbury.Earlier this month, Odoom announced he is to become a father in an Instagram post featuring his pregnant girlfriend Hannah Holland. Captioning his post, the former I'm A Celebrity star simply penned: 'Mum & Dad' with a grey love heart.Lauren Layfield, 28, will host The Official Chart: First Look from Birmingham each Sunday between 4pm and 7pm. It will be the first Radio 1 programme of its kind to come live from the city.Sunday evenings will include Shanequa Paris and Oré Olukoga on Life Hacks, followed by Sian Eleri's Chillest Show. Alyx Holcombe's Indie Show moves to Tuesdays at 11pm.The station's new presenter showcase will move from Friday Early Breakfast to weekend mornings between 6am and 7am.