Listening figures for Nick Grimshaw’s Radio 1 Breakfast Show have fallen to their lowest point since he took over as presenter, it has been revealed.
According to new figures recorded by audience research body RAJAR, Grimmy lost more than half a million listeners over a three-month period, with fewer than five million people tuning in weekly across the third quarter.
As reported by the BBC, 4.93 million weekly listeners were recorded from July to September, down from 5.5 million earlier this year, the lowest figures drawn in by the Radio 1 Breakfast Show since Chris Moyles broadcast his final show in 2012.
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Nick Grimshaw
David M. Benett via Getty Images
Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper has brushed off the slump, standing by Grimmy and insisting the station is still “the most relevant youth brand in the UK today”.
A BBC insider added: “Grimmy is the number one Breakfast Show in the UK for young audiences and that’s all they really care about.
“Teens are addicted to their phones so you can see why Radio 1 does so well on YouTube and Facebook.”
It’s not all bad news for the Beeb, though, with Chris Evans’ show in the same timeslot on Radio 2 seeing an increase in listeners to 9.4 million, up from the 9.1 million listening in July.
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Chris Evans
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Grimmy’s predecessor, Chris Moyles, has seen growth for the viewing figures for his breakfast show on Radio X, but they’re still a long way off his glory days at Radio 1, at 823,000 listeners.
Meanwhile Roman Kemp has also seen an increase of 300,000 for his first full quarter at the helm of Capital Radio’s show in the same time slot.
The original line-up: Sharon Osbourne, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh (credit:ITV)
Series 4 (2007)(02 of11)
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All change: Dannii Minogue joins Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne, with Brian Freidman replacing Louis Walsh.Dermot O'Leary also replaces Kate Thornton as the show's host.
Series 4 (2007)(03 of11)
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The return of the Walsh: Louis makes a comeback after Brian Freidman is axed from the panel after only a few days of auditions.
Series 5-7 (2008-2010)(04 of11)
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The golden era: Cheryl Cole replaces Sharon Osbourne, joining Simon, Dannii and Louis.
Series 8 (2011)(05 of11)
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A mass exodus: Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Kelly Rowland join the only original remaining judge, Louis Walsh.
Series 9 (2012)(06 of11)
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Schermazing: Nicole Sherzinger replaces Kelly Rowland, joining Gary, Tulisa and Louis.
Series 10 (2013)(07 of11)
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She's BACK! Sharon Osbourne rejoins the panel after five years, replacing Tulisa and joining Louis, Gary and Nicole. (credit:Rex)
Series 11 (2014)(08 of11)
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REUNITED: Simon and Cheryl return alongside Louis Walsh and new judge Mel B. (credit:Syco/Thames/ITV)
Series 12 (2015)(09 of11)
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Bye bye Louis: Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora replace Louis and Mel, as they join Simon and Cheryl on the panel. Meanwhile, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs step into Dermot's shoes as hosts. (credit:Twitter)
Series 13-14 (2016-17)(10 of11)
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A vintage line-up: Nicole, Louis and Sharon all stage sensational returns to the panel after the departures of Cheryl, Nick and Rita, while Dermot also returns as host. (credit:ITV)
Series 15 (2018)(11 of11)
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WTF?! Louis Tomlinson becomes the first former contestant to join the panel permanently, while Robbie joins the panel alongside his wife and 'Loose Women' panellist Ayda Field. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)