Clara Amfo has been announced as BBC Radio 1’s host of the Future Sounds show.
And the good news doesn’t end there, Rickie Haywood Williams and Melvin Odoom will be joined by Charlie Hedges to host Radio 1’s iconic Live Lounge show.
Amfo landed her first show on Radio 1 in 2015 as host of The Official Chart and took on the Live Lounge slot shortly after. During her time at Radio 1, Clara has cemented her reputation as a key tastemaker in the music industry, playing host to some of the world’s biggest artists, from Jay-Z to Ariana Grande. Her breadth of expertise and unrivalled passion for music discovery makes her the perfect fit for the station’s flagship new music show, Radio 1’s Future Sounds. She will be taking over from current host Annie Mac from September 2021.
Clara Amfo says: “Presenting mid-mornings and The Live Lounge on Radio 1 has been one of the most edifying and special times of my career and personal life. As a nation of music lovers, the experience of it live is nothing short of magical and to have had the honour of welcoming some of the world’s most beloved and emerging artists into The Live Lounge has created unifying moments that I and the listeners will never forget!
“I am beyond honoured and ready to start this exciting new chapter on Radio 1. I’m such a fan of this show, the artists that it has championed and to be receiving the baton from Annie who I love and respect makes it extra special for me. Massive big up to every single one of my daytime producers and The Live Lounge/smug life listener crew, I have loved hearing your stories and enjoying keeping you company with tunes in the daytime and look forward to continuing that in September, so see you a few hours later!”
Rickie, Melvin and Charlie will become the new hosts of Radio 1’s Live Lounge (Monday-Thursdays, 10.30am-1pm), bringing their trademark high-energy dynamic to daytimes after first joining the station in 2019 as hosts of a new late evening entertainment show.
Rickie, Melvin, and Charlie say: “To be given the opportunity to present the Live Lounge is just an absolute dream, a show we all adore and have so much love, passion, and respect for. Celebrating great artists playing their new and live music on Radio 1 is a huge honour and we can’t wait to put our RMC twist on it! Much love to Clara who has done an amazing job over the years and thank you for passing the baton – we promise not to break it!”
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1, says: “Clara has long been one of the most influential voices in the music industry. She has an incredible affinity for discovering new music, which makes her perfect to be the face of it for the industry and for Radio 1. We know our listeners will love what she brings to the show. I’m delighted that we’ll have Rickie, Melvin and Charlie taking on the late morning slot: their energy, knowledge and passion is going to make for an exciting new sound for the Live Lounge.”