Yep while I can see the point said poster was making I guess the argument is if R1 make celeb hires you're just aping what commerical stations are doing then and it weakens the argument for what makes R1 unique from the commercial sector when future discussions about the BBC and BBC radio come up.  Commercial stations I get more as they have ratings/RAJAR pressure but while there's still that pressure to an extent for Radio 1 should it really be what you're chasing above all else?  In this situation at least the spells Jamie and his wife and GK Barry are limited but it makes you wonder will it stay that way? I think that's the concern more than anything - you don't want the floodgates to open and a future Greg James or Scott Mills to lose out as a result.  But then again Mollie King was probably a bit of a celeb hire and she's now as good as any DJ on Radio 1. But for every Mollie King, there's a Kelly Osbourne on The Sunday Surgery (whoooo) or a Maya Jama, Jameela Jamil.

Going Home often gets the attention but that Group Chat show seems to really struggle for a consistent line-up week to week at the moment - particularly on a Friday. Lauren (Redfern) seems to be on there just as much as if Vicky and Nat these days and Ore isn't far behind either. 

Sara Cox mentioned on Monday's breakfast show she's doing a week in August so it sounds like she's covering Scott's next full week off (hopefully OJ is on drive then). I think he's sitting in for Scott on the August bank holiday though based off what he said the last time he did the show.

I think OJ will be saved for covering Breakfast since he’s done a few on odd bank holidays

W/C 23rd June Tina Daheley in for Jeremy Emma Willis in for Sara Gary Davies in for Spoony   I hope OJ Borg hasn't fell out of favour covering drivetime.

It’s easy for us to complain about this kind of thing but shippp you correctly mention all the really strong presenters at the moment who have worked their way up. There’s loads of them, so I think the odd personality hire is not the end of the world. Aled’s thought process on this will be the following: 1) Jamie has a huge social media following which will draw listeners 2) 6 Degrees with Jamie & Spencer was consistently near the top of the under 35 bbc sounds listenership - so clearly (although I don’t get it myself) he really appeals to the target age demographic 3) I understand Newlyweds is super popular and so cross-listenership will be hoped for I agree Jamie (and that whole show now) is not my cup of tea but it’s appealing well to a demographic and to be honest us radio nerds are well catered for elsewhere on the schedule ie Greg, M&M, Sam & Danni, James, etc

I get about whoever said it is more newsworthy about Jamie's wife co-hosting with him rather than Emil or Lauren or James or whoever because they are good presenters but not known and I agree fully on that but you should looking for what makes the best show even in the short term not who generates the most clicks. Because seeking being in the news can lead to doing some stupid things for virality, not all press is good press and Aled or whoever is head of programmes currently should already know that