Radio 1 looks to freshen up chart show as Cox returns

by Daniel Farey-Jones,, Brand Republic 17-Nov-04, 08:30

LONDON – Radio 1 is to shake up its weekend line-up, bringing back former breakfast show presenter Sara Cox and showing the door to chart show presenter Wes Butters in favour of JK & Joel.

Butters, who joined the station in February 2003 as the youngest presenter of the chart show to date, is not having his contract renewed. The changes will take effect from February.

JK & Joel move into the slot "to breathe new life into what remains the biggest single show on the station", Ben Cooper, head of mainstream programming, said.

When Cox returns from maternity leave, she will take over the 1pm-4pm slots on Saturday and Sunday, leaving the weekday drivetime slot that she used to present to Scott Mills.

Cox, who returns after having a baby, said she had missed being on the radio and would do her best not to burst into nursery rhymes. "Although 'The Wheels on the Bus' is an old-school classic," she added.

Andy Parfitt, controller of Radio 1, said: "We are beginning to reap the benefits of the changes we initiated towards the end of last year. These latest moves are simply part of the continuing evolution of the station."

Radio 1 also confirmed that Vernon Kay has signed a further one-year contract with the station to continue his 10.00am-1.00pm slot.

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