Nick Grimshaw | |
|---|---|
 Grimshaw atVogue London Fashion Week 2014 | |
| Born | Nicholas Peter Andrew Grimshaw (1984-08-14)14 August 1984 (age 41) Manchester, England |
| Other names | Grimmy[1] |
| Education | Our Lady's Roman Catholic High School, Royton,Metropolitan Borough of Oldham |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Employer(s) | BBC Channel 4 |
| Partner(s) | Mesh Henry (2018-present; engaged) |
Nicholas Peter Andrew Grimshaw (born 14 August 1984), nicknamed"Grimmy", is an English radio DJ, television presenter and writer. He became known for having hosted a variety of shows onBBC Radio 1. He also had hisChannel 4 roles inT4 andThe Album Chart Show and was a judge on thetwelfth series ofThe X Factor in 2015. He currently presentsBBC Radio 6 Music's flagship breakfast show.
Grimshaw was born atSt Mary's Hospital inManchester and grew up inRoyton.[2][3] He has an older brother and sister.[4] He was educated atOur Lady's Roman Catholic High School,[5] a statevoluntary aided school, followed by theUniversity of Liverpool between 2002 and 2005, studying Communication and Media Studies. He failed his final year, graduating with aDipHE rather than a bachelor's degree.[6] During his studies at the University of Liverpool, Grimshaw was also a member of the University's student radio station, ICON Radio (now Liverpool Guild Student Media).[citation needed]
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Grimshaw joinedBBC Radio 1 in September 2007, presenting the BBC's youth strandSwitch with close friend and fellow DJAnnie Mac. He hosted the show for 9 months solo while Mac hosted a weekend lunchtime slot.[7]
From October 2008 to May 2009, Grimshaw hosted Radio 1's Weekend Breakfast Show. Grimshaw then went on to present the 10 pm – midnight slot on BBC Radio 1 on 1 June 2009, following the departure ofColin Murray. He regularly joked about how long his position atBBC Radio 1 would last and whether he would actually be able to complete his long list of "1000 Albums Everyone Says You Should Listen To But We Only Have Time To Play One Track So Here It Is" which was a nightly feature on his show. He managed to reach number 369, before he left for the breakfast show.[8]
On 11 July 2012, it was announced that Grimshaw would replace the long-standingChris Moyles as host ofRadio 1 Breakfast.[9] The last live show was broadcast on 12 September 2012,[10] although the last show broadcast under the show's name was a pre-recorded episode entitled "The 1000 Albums Show".[11] His first breakfast show programme was on 24 September 2012.[12]
In November 2012, Grimshaw attracted criticism fromMagic Radio breakfast presenterNeil Fox for comments he made about Radio 1's decision to omitRobbie Williams's "Candy" from its A-List playlist – reportedly due to being "too old" for the station's target demographic.[13] Some days later, Grimshaw was in tabloid headlines when the papers in question claimed he refused to promoteRihanna's latest album because she cancelled an interview with him – a claim which Grimshaw denied, noting that his snub was intended to be "tongue in cheek".[14]
On 24 October 2013, it was reported that Grimshaw'sBreakfast Show had one million fewer listeners than Moyles' and that its audience figures were the worst for the station in over a decade, withBBC Radio 2,BBC Radio 3 andBBC Radio 4 all beating it in the ratings. At the time, Grimshaw's show was close to the record low of 5.5 million listeners, set bySara Cox in 2003, toward the end of her three-year tenure hosting the show.[15] In February 2014, theBreakfast Show recorded an enhancement of more than 700,000 listeners, which set the average number of listeners per week to 6.3 million.[16] However, on 15 March 2014, it was reported that Grimshaw had lost another 510,000 listeners, for a weekly total of 5.78 million.[17] The BBC claimed that this was part of the goal to attract younger listeners, while shedding the over-25s.[18]
In March 2014, he completed a twelve-hour bicycle ride forSport Relief.[19] The event raised more than £115,000.[20] Later that year, he also took part in theClash of the Titans event as part ofJohn Bishop's team Team Bishop.[21]
In May 2015, Grimshaw'sBreakfast Show fell to 5.5 million listeners a week, becoming tied with Sara Cox's show for the lowest number of listeners in Radio 1's history. The station controller Ben Cooper congratulated Grimshaw saying, "I'm pleased that Grimmy is doing what I've asked of him by keeping his young audience happy and scaring off the over-30s.".[22] In August 2016, listener figures were reported to have dropped to 5.4 million, down 400,000-year-on-year, and making it the lowest listened to breakfast show in the station's history.[23]
In July 2017, the BBC confirmed that Grimshaw's salary was in the £350,000 – £399,999 bracket.[24] In October 2017, hisBreakfast Show fell to 4.93 million listeners a week, the lowest listening figures for BBC Radio 1's breakfast show since records began. Controller Ben Cooper defended the stats and said it was still "the most relevant youth brand in the UK today".[25]
On 31 May 2018, it was announced that Grimshaw would be leaving the breakfast show and effectively swapping shows withGreg James. The move meant Grimshaw took over the 4-7pm drivetime slot.[26] On 30 June 2021, Grimshaw announced he would be leaving Radio 1 after 14 years on air. His final show on the station was on 12 August 2021.[27][28][non-primary source needed]
On 9 January 2025, it was announced by the BBC that Grimshaw would take over fromLauren Laverne as the new presenter ofBBC Radio 6 Music's breakfast show, which he has covered for since August 2024.[29] It also marks Laverne's return to the station for the first time since she was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently given the all-clear.[30]
Grimshaw's career started on UK entertainment channelE4, hosting daily shows. In September 2007, he crossed over toChannel 4, hosting the daily breakfast showFreshly Squeezed withAlexa Chung and more recentlyJameela Jamil, airing 7 am on weekdays. The pair went on to host various award shows for TV and coverage from music events and festivals for Channel 4. As well as hosting the radio showBBC Switch forBBC Radio 1, Grimshaw andAnnie Mac teamed up to host music showSound forBBC Two. He presented the first ever BBC Switch Awards show withKimberley Walsh ofGirls Aloud onBBC One.
In summer 2011, Grimshaw hosted a live 6-part series forChannel 4 on Saturdays entitledNew Look Style the Nation, in which hopeful fashion designers competed for a job atNew Look. In 2012, he co-presented theiTunes Festival withAnnie Mac throughout September forChannel 4.
On 30 April 2013, he began presentingBBC Three panel show,Sweat the Small Stuff.[31] On 2 August 2013, Grimshaw hosted a one-off panel show on Channel 4 calledThat Music Show.[32] In late 2013, Grimshaw appeared in as many soap operas he could, filming cameo roles inEastEnders,Coronation Street,Emmerdale,Hollyoaks andHome and Away.[33] In 2013, he narratedHotel of Mum and Dad for BBC Three.
In 2014, Grimshaw presentedThe Brits Are Coming, the show that revealed some of the nominees at the2014 Brit Awards. Since 2014 he has been a regular guest co–presenter onThe One Show.[34]
On 16 June 2015, it was revealed that Grimshaw would join thetwelfth series ofThe X Factor as a judge to replaceLouis Walsh.[35] He was selected to mentor the "Boys" category and choseMason Noise,Ché Chesterman andSeann Miley Moore for the live shows. Following the eliminations of Moore in week 2 and Noise in week 4, he guided Chesterman through to the final, where he finished in third place. On 19 February 2016, Grimshaw announced he would not be returning to the show for itsthirteenth series and was replaced by Walsh.[citation needed]
Since June 2019, he has appeared onCelebrity Gogglebox alongside his niece Liv, as well as theStand Up to Cancer specials.
In spring 2021, Grimshaw appeared as a contestant onThe Great British Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer.[36]
Grimshaw has expressed his interest incontemporary art andset design. In 2016, he sold one of his paintings as part of a secret charity auction duringFrieze Art Fair.[37]
He is an ambassador for theRoyal Academy of Arts. In 2017, he was commissioned to design aChristmas tree in celebration of the Academy's 250th anniversary.[38]
Interested in live music production, Grimshaw interned with the stage designerEs Devlin in 2017.[39]
Grimshaw launched and judged Column Idol 2014, an annual competition set up by charity Media Trust withThe Sun newspaper to find new writing talent.[40]
He makes a cameo appearance as himself inAbsolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016).[41]
Grimshaw's debut autobiography,Soft Lad, was published byHodder & Stoughton on 27 October 2022.[42]
In October 2021, he was featured in the BBC seriesWalking With..., walking inNorthumberland fromWarkworth toAmble.[43]
Since June 2022, Grimshaw embarked on a weekly podcast "Dish" withWaitrose alongside Michelin-star chefAngela Hartnett.[44]
Since September 2023, Grimshaw and lifelong friendAnnie Mac have co-hosted theBBC Sounds podcastSidetracked with Annie and Nick, in which the pair discuss the week in music and culture.[45]
On 17 August 2012, Grimshaw spoke about being gay.[46][47] He appeared at number 8 onThe Independent on Sunday's list of the 101 most influentialLGBTQ people in Britain 2012.[48] Nick Grimshaw was awarded the title ofGQ Best-Dressed Man of the Year in 2014 by the British edition of the magazine.[49] Since 2018, Grimshaw has been an ambassador forThe Albert Kennedy Trust, also known as Akt, a charity helping homelessLGBTQ youth.[50][51]
In October 2018, Grimshaw announced that he was dating Meshach 'Mesh' Henry, a dancer 12 years his junior.[52] On 31 March 2022, he announced via Instagram that they were engaged.[53] They live in theLondon Borough of Hackney and have two dogs.[54][55][2]
In August 2024, Grimshaw and members of his family were targeted by burglars while staying in a rented villa in Ibiza.[56]
| Year | Title | Channel | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Freshly Squeezed | Channel 4 | Co-presenter | |
| 2007–2009 | Sound | BBC Two | Co–presenter | 3 series |
| 2008 | Big Brother's Big Mouth | Channel 4 | Week 4 presenter | 5 episodes |
| 2008–2012 | The Album Chart Show | Presenter | ||
| 2010–2012 | T4 | Co–presenter | ||
| 2012 | iTunes Festival | Co–presenter | ||
| 2012–2015 | Children in Need | BBC One/BBC Two | Co–presenter | |
| 2013–2014 | Sweat the Small Stuff | BBC Three | Presenter | 4 series |
| 2014 | The BRITs Are Coming | ITV | Presenter | |
| 2014– | The One Show | BBC One | Guest co–presenter | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Soundchain | MTV | Presenter | 1 series |
| The X Factor | ITV | Judge | Series 12 | |
| 2017 | One Love Manchester | BBC One | Co-presenter | Television special |
| Harry Styles at the BBC | Presenter | Television special | ||
| 2019– | Celebrity Gogglebox | Channel 4 | Himself | 6 series, 1 special |
| 2022– | The Great Home Transformation | Co-presenter | AnIKEA production | |
| 2023 | Project Home | Presenter | [57] | |
| 2024 | The Underdog: Josh Must Win | Host |
| Year | Station | Show |
|---|---|---|
| 2007–2012 | BBC Radio 1 | Nick Grimshaw andAnnie Mac |
| 2008–2009 | Weekend Breakfast | |
| 2009–2012 | Late Night | |
| 2012–2018 | Radio 1 Breakfast | |
| 2018–2021 | Drivetime | |
| 2023- | Virgin Radio UK | Relief presenter |
| 2024- | BBC Radio 6 Music | Breakfast |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Wreck-It Ralph | Dr. Brad Scott (UK film version) |
| 2016 | Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie | Himself (Cameo appearance) |
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show Presenter 2012–2018 | Succeeded by |
