Christmas Takeover returns to BBC Radio 1 for 2024

BBC Radio 1 will welcome new presenters between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve 2024 with the return of the Christmas Takeover.

The initiative was first introduced in 2019 by Head of BBC Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones, and since then has provided a springboard for emerging presenters working to carve out careers in national radio, with many of the guest presenters going on to achieve successes across the industry.

Thirteen of the former guest presenters also landed permanent slots on Radio 1 as a result.

Applications for this year are open now via the Radio 1 website and close at 11.59pm on Thursday 26 September.

Radio 1 want to hear from DJs and presenters with previous radio experience, be it in community, hospital, student or local radio.

Nat O’Leary says: “Applying for the Radio 1 Christmas Takeover back in 2021 was the best thing I ever did. Those two days of cover felt like a dream come true and then to land my own show shortly after was quite literally unbelievable. If I could give one piece of advice I’d say take that chance, BE YOURSELF and have fun!!!”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “I’m so pleased Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover is returning for 2024.

“We’ve had so many success stories since its launch and it has proven crucial in finding and developing the next generation of presenting talent, not just for Radio 1 but also the wider industry. I’m excited to see what this next round brings!”