Show Diary - 5 February 2026: Mums, social pressure and modern reality

[coffeeandgin]

With the year nearly coming to a close, interested to see how those who are on Unofficial Mills would rate Radio 1 this year out of 10. And what you've enjoyed and what you haven't so much? 

[coffeeandgin]

For me it's probably a 7/10. 

I can feel I'm slightly aging out of Radio 1 - particularly with the daytime playlist. However, there's still lots to like - Matt & Mollie are right up my street, Greg is great whenever I listen and the likes of Katie, Emil, James Cusack and Sam & Danni are always a delight. Plus Future Pop is a great show and Dance Party Starters is always a strong listen.

And there are some great cover options they have - Emil I've mentioned above but the likes of Maia Beth, Jerry, Jodie Bryant, Mylo & Rosie, the two Laurens and Conor Knight I enjoy too when I hear them. And I do wonder down the line if Radio 1 have plans for Minah Shannon as she's popped up a few times. 

Though on the negative side - even allowing for the various pregnancies Going Home is way too inconsistent line-up wise.  And outside of Greg and Matt & Mollie, the weekday line-up feels OK rather than especially strong. 

As mentioned while I often enjoy the music out of daytime, the music doesn't feel so much for me these days and the focus seems to be less on highlighting all the 'new music' but instead hyping up Radio 1's chosen ones. 

Plus Radio 1 do have a tendancy to get slightly blinded by celebrity - as shown by the summer schedule where there was a big song and dance about Sophie and GK Barry despite the fact you could probably count the shows either did on one hand. Meanwhile Sam & Danni and Jerry covering Going Home for ages was barely mentioned. 

The next set of big changes will be really interesting to see and I do hope for Radio 1's sake they give the opportunity to "proper radio" talent. If you just go with celebs then it strengthens the argument of 'what is Radio 1 for' since you're then just doing what say Global does.

[Wandering Belle]

I really struggled with the NYE show this time around. I’ve listened for the past 5 years and this was by far the one I enjoyed the least. Too much newer music and not enough classics round midnight. Really hope they can get Charlie Hedges back on it next year as she’s so good. 
 

As for the rest of Radio 1 in 2025 - I haven’t always been able to listen as much as I’d like. Our work radio is set to what was once the local radio station but is now a national Scottish streamed station (which in comparison to Radio 1 - is awful). I’m mainly listening to Greg before 8 and then Going Home after 4. Greg is still as good as ever and a really steady set of hands. Going Home just needs some stability. Katie is the one least likely to leave and I find that interesting as she wasn’t originally part of the Going Home show when Jamie was drafted in. I can’t see Vick being back somehow - think she wants more presenting (which I think she’s really good at) and Jamie - the constant days off… it feels like the colleague who’s always pulling a sickie.

i used to really enjoy the 00s/Noughties show but I think it’s been done dirty and needs a fresh set of eyes on it. Nat and Vicky just focus on playing music that is still relatable to now and it’s split between anthems and Nat and Vicky. I used to really like listening to it as they’d often play songs I’d forgotten. But recently it’s the same old, same old. I think the Noughties show needs an approach of someone a little more specialist (like Fearne does with Sounds of the 90s) that can really bring it on. A good example could be - Geese are getting all the plaudits right now - but their music reminds me on the Doves around 2002, which was very hyped at the time (and played to death by Radio 1).