GK Barry’s new spell on Radio 1 got off to an unfortunate start as the influencer’s first show left listeners “turning off” and “switching over”.
The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star and It’s Giving Life author is one of the new presenters joining Radio 1 as part of a major shake-up at the station.
Announced in July, the overhaul was met with some scepticism from listeners who accused the station of swapping out long-standing radio presenters, like Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Dean McCullough, for content creators like Barry and Charley Marlowe.
Barry – whose real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling – hosted the first show of her initial six-week run on Thursday (10 September), during which she told listeners she was “shaking in my boots”.
On social media, however, the audience reaction was not an impressed one, with listeners saying that while Barry, 27, was an extremely succcessful podcaster, she lacked the radio presenting skill of those axed presenters.
Many also pointed out that the Saving Grace host did not interact with listener texts throughout the show, adding fuel to reporting by The Daily Mail last week claiming that Barry’s show would be pre-recorded and then broadcast “as live”.
One commenter wrote: “Why have they dropped two of the best presenters for one of the worst I’ve ever heard? Switched off immediately! Who makes these choices?”
“Wrong time of day and therefore wrong audience. People who are listening at lunchtime are not fans of influencers,” another said, adding: “And Radio 1 you might need to learn that teenagers only listen to radio when they’re in the car with their parents and their parents will be switching off.”
“This show is painful… Gave it a chance, turned it off,” wrote another listener, to be echoed by a fellow audience member who asked: ”Am I right in thinking it’s only once a week? I know I am not the target audience but I am not sure who decided this was a good idea.”
“Nothing against her personally like her but I’m disappointed that a tax-funded radio station is employing more influencers rather than grass roots talent,” one comment read.
Much of the frustration came from Barry, who is also the new co-host of Big Brother companion show The Group Chat, taking the Thursday early afternoon slot from regular Matt Edmondson and Mollie King, reducing their number of shows from four a week to three in the process.
“One day less of Matt and Mol for this? Over to 6 Music I go!” one commenter wrote, while another said: “Justice for @mattedmondson and @mollieking, we want them back on Thursdays.”
Offering up their own view, another listener said: “Where are Matt and Mollie? This was absolutely horrible. I switched over to Jeremy Vine talking about sunken floors.”
“Why have they dropped two of the best presenters for one of the worst I’ve ever heard? Switched off immediately! Who makes these choices?” asked another.
A BBC spokesperson told The Independent: “GK Barry’s first show attracted record numbers, demonstrating the strong connection she has already built with Radio 1 listeners. We know GK resonates with our young audience, and we look forward to hearing more of her distinctive voice on Radio 1.”
Barry’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
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