Mollie King lands solo Radio 1 show in BBC shake-up
Mollie King has been given her own solo BBC Radio 1 show in a shake-up at the station that sees her take on new duties hunting out fresh pop talent.
The former Saturdays singer already co-presents a weekend afternoon show with Matt Edmondson, but now she is set to add in new show Future Pop on Thursday nights.
King said: "It’s hard to put into words just how unbelievably honoured and excited I am to be launching and presenting Radio 1’s Future Pop!
"As a lifelong complete pop fanatic I am going to adore every single minute of pushing through new and up and coming pop acts. I’ve been on the other side and know just how much it means to have your music supported on the radio and being given the platform, so I can’t wait to search far and wide to find the best pop talent out there.
"The 15 year old in me, who wrote endlessly to record labels asking to do work experience and make the teas and coffees is crying inside! It’s a real dream come true!"
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Future Pop is set to launch in September this year and will air on Thursday evenings from 8pm to 10pm.
Head of Radio 1 Aled Haydn Jones has also announced a shake-up of various other shows at the station which will come into effect from September.
Monday nights will be dedicated to rock and alternative music, with new presenter Alyx Holcombe joining the rock line-up with BBC Introducing Rock, followed by Nels Hylton with Future Alternative.
Charlie Tee will also join as the first female regular presenter of the Drum & Bass Show, with Holcombe, Hylton and Tee all having been discovered through the station's Christmas Takeover scheme which offers new radio presenting talent the chance to shine over the festive period.
The Drum & Bass Show's current presenter René LaVice will leave to spend more time on his label, while DJ Target will take his Saturday night 1Xtra Takeover show back to airing just on 1Xtra.
Watch: Una Healy on meeting Rochelle and Mollie at The Saturdays audition