Scott Mills leaving Radio 1 to replace Steve Wright on Radio 2

Scott Mills is to leave BBC Radio 1 following 24 years at the network after it was announced he will join Radio 2 for a new weekday show.

The 49-year-old DJ, who has hosted various shows on the radio station since 1998, will move to BBC Radio 2 where he will take over the 2-4pm slot from presenter Steve Wright.

Mills will bid farewell to the station later this summer alongside his co-host Chris Stark, who is leaving to focus on presenting That Peter Crouch Podcast and his podcast with Chef Tom Kerridge The Pirate Ship.

Wright announced he would be stepping down from his afternoon show at the end of September after 23 years as part of the station’s schedule shake-up.

The 67-year-old broadcaster shared the news live during his show, Steve Wright in the Afternoon, on Friday saying: “I can’t hold the slot forever, so let’s give somebody else a go.”

Towards the end of the programme, he said: “I’ll try not to become emotional or self-indulgent, this is going to be a little bit difficult.

“At the end of September, I’ll be taking a break from daytime radio. In other words, stepping down from this programme.