GK Barry’s first BBC Radio 1 show disappoints listeners as they say pre-recorded program shouldn’t have replaced Matt and Mollie

GK Barry’s BBC Radio 1 debut has been panned by listeners who claim her pre-recorded show should not have replaced Mollie King and Matt Edmondson.

The 27-year-old social media influencer has been given a two-hour BBC Radio 1 session starting every Thursday at 1pm, replacing Mollie and Matt’s usual live programme.

GK – whose real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling – has previously acted as an assistant presenter for the station over the past year and although she has little live radio experience, her podcast Saving Grace has been a huge hit.

However, critics have argued since the announcement that GK’s success as a podcast host doesn’t necessarily mean she has the skills for radio.

The GK Barry Show on BBC Radio 1 is apparently pre-recorded, mainly to prevent accidental swearing live on air and to accommodate her busy schedule.

After tuning into her first show when it aired Thursday, listeners shared their thoughts via Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

They said, ‘Why is she pre-recording it? No daytime show should be anything but live’; ‘Justice for Matt and Mollie. We want them back on Thursday’; ‘Had enough already’; ‘As soon as she said her first word, the radio went off’; ‘There’s no chance of that happening anyway as it’s pre-recorded, which is madness’;

‘She has such a booming voice. Poor Matt and Mollie who love working three days a week to accommodate her’; ‘I fear the demise of R1…even though I’m not the demographic for this station, if it wasn’t for Greg/Jack/Pete Tony/Matt it would be a crap listen’;

‘Her show isn’t even live… it’s pre-recorded!’; “Why on earth did you reduce Matt and Mollie to a three-day show for this? Literally the only weekday show worth listening to besides Greg. Couldn’t you find another place to be on Little Miss Podcast?’.

One person wondered why people were “so sentimental” about radio, but others quickly pushed back on how important certain programs can be.

They said, ‘Maybe because it plays a big role in their daily routine? I would switch to Capital if they didn’t have ad breaks. And Radio 2 doesn’t have the same atmosphere’; ‘What a strange and scandalous thing to say! Because it is a big part of many people’s lives day in and day out. That’s why. People may not want another station.

‘People like the BBC because they don’t have annoying adverts every two minutes. Radio 1 is hanging by a thread. Greg holds it together with one hand’; ‘Is that because she’s pre-recorded and not live like every other daytime DJ?’; ‘Be better off without her on Radio 1’;

‘It makes you wonder why people are switching to BBC Radio 2’; ‘I’m so close to not listening anymore, I’ve been listening to Radio 1 since I was 16 in my very first job in 1986 and at 57 this weekend I think it’s just tripe now, the only show that’s worth anything is Greg James. I wanted to wait until he retires, but with Jeremiah and this absolute nonsense, I really think I’m done. Unsubscribe’.

A few people defended GK and said, “All those negative comments if you don’t like GK, turn around, simple. I think she is doing well, her mother’s laugh is infectious and Ella has done well not to swear’; “I love this new addition…I love you GKB.”

Previously, the Loose Women panellist said of the gig: ‘I’m really excited to be hosting another series of my own BBC Radio 1 shows from September.

‘You’ll hear my favorite songs, we’ll speak to some really exciting guests and, as always, in true GK Barry style, I promise plenty of humour, mayhem and embarrassing stories along the way!’

Earlier this week, Radio 1 star Nat O’Leary said an emotional farewell to her show after five years on air as part of the shake-up, which has seen established broadcasters replaced by influencers.

Six stars from the station were axed in July – including Dean McCullough and Melvin Odoom – paving the way for new talent as bosses tried to revamp the show.

Nat said goodbye to the station for the last time, confirming on Instagram that her final show would be Saturday at 10:30am.

In a photo taken at an airport, the radio star wrote: ‘After 5 great years at @bbcradio1 I’m leaving.

“To those of you who listened, messaged, and supported me along the way, thank YOU. This ‘job’ made my dream come true and I will be forever grateful for all the memories. I can’t wait to show you what will happen next.’

She also posted a series of videos and photos to her Instagram Story documenting her last day on air with co-host Vicky Hawkesworth, 30, and producer Luciano Domenico.

She then thanked fans for ‘everything’, including their ‘beautiful messages’, before signing off: ‘I had the time of my life on Radio 1.’

Nat joined BBC Radio 1 permanently in July 2022, after a spell in cover work and on the station’s Christmas Presenter Scheme in late 2021.

Her departure came as presenters including Swarzy, Rickie Haywood-Williams and James Cusack also left the show – with I’m A Celebrity star GK and influencer Charley Marlowe among their replacements.

Plans have also been made for a series of new shows and hosting reshuffles.

Influencer Charley Marlowe – who narrated BBC Three dating series I Kissed A Girl and briefly presented Radio 1’s early morning breakfast show – has also been cast in the show.

She accompanies Vicky Hawkesworth from Friday to Sunday between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.

Axed presenter Dean McCullough, 34, was recently photographed smiling as he left work at the radio station for the final time after claiming he had ‘sacrificed his public views and part of his voice’ for his BBC career.

He began his tenure at Radio 1 six years ago as a stand-in presenter before moving into mid-morning weekend roles, followed by Scott Mills’ former Afternoon Show in 2022 and then Early Breakfast in 2024.

Taking to Instagram on the eve of his final show, the former Early Breakfast host admitted he was struggling to meet the BBC’s strict impartiality guidelines after years of being branded an ‘out and proud gay man’ in his former role on LGBTQ+ channel Gaydio.

Alongside a video montage and voiceover from his penultimate show, Dean spoke out after six years on the BBC, noting that it was ‘not easy’ and he had to advocate for his community ‘in the shadows’.

Dean wrote: ‘I wanted to speak openly about my feelings when I arrived at BBC Radio 1 six years ago, when I was already broadcasting as out and proud as a gay man.

‘I spent three and a half years at LGBTQ+ channel Gaydio, where I was outspoken and opinionated on air. Moving to the BBC meant sacrificing my public views and with it some of my voice. It hasn’t been easy and I’ve had to do a lot of my advocacy in the shadows.

“But this chapter was full of lessons and I wanted to take a moment to thank my listeners and producers, the people who matter, for just letting me be me. You have no idea how much that means to me and to other queer people in this space.”

He continued: “And look, it’s not my story to ‘fit in’ and ‘be everyone’s cup of tea’, I find that extremely boring. If I’ve learned anything in my 16 years as a presenter, it’s ‘speak from your heart and the right people will hear you’.

Award-winning duo Mylo & Rosie will take over from Mr McCullough, following a ten-year spell at Hits Radio West Yorkshire, where they won multiple ARIAs.

Meanwhile, James Cusack’s Weekend Breakfast is now presented by Emil Franchi, 33, from Durham, who broke into the industry through college radio.

Charlie Hedges remains frontman of the popular Live Lounge, but is joined by Jeremiah Asiamah, who replaces 46-year-old Melvin Odoom, and Rickie Haywood-Williams, who joined in 2019. Asiamah, 28, is known for his energetic music sets and appeared at Glastonbury last year.