Clara Amfo and Nick Grimshaw ‘join Radio 1 DJs being told they WON’T be leaving London’

Popular Radio 1 DJs such as Clara Amfo and Nick Grimshaw have reportedly been told they won’t have to move when some of the network’s jobs leave London.

It has been claimed that BBC bosses reassured their big-name daytime presenters, which also includes Scott Mills, that they’ll be able to stay in the capital despite the news team, Newsbeat, facing a relocation to Digbeth, Birmingham.

BBC Director General Tim Davie unveiled a dramatic overhaul of the corporation in March, announcing some 400 roles will eventually be based outside of London.  

Claims: Popular Radio 1 DJ’s such as Clara Amfo (pictured) and Nick Grimshaw have reportedly been told they won’t have to move when some jobs move out of London

A BBC insider claimed that news of relocation had ‘ruffled feathers’, with none of the radio hosts wanting to up sticks and move cities after living in London for years.

They told The Sun: ‘Bosses have been quick to assure them they are not going to ask anyone to move, in fear they could lose some of their most beloved BBC talent.

‘The thinking is that at some point someone will naturally leave and that job will be replaced outside of London.

‘Newsbeat is being made to move while the presenters, who were already on way more money, are getting cushty treatment.’ 

Relocation?: A source has claimed that BBC bosses reassured their daytime presenters, such as Nick that they'll be able to stay in the capital

On the move: The  news team, Newsbeat, are facing a relocation to Digbeth, Birmingham (Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills is pictured)

Relocation?: A source has claimed that BBC bosses reassured their daytime presenters, such as Nick (left) and Scott Mills (right), that they’ll be able to stay in the capital despite the news team, Newsbeat, facing a relocation to Digbeth, Birmingham

A Radio 1 spokesperson told the publication that while some mainstream shows will move to other areas in the UK, they have yet to be identified.

Another source added that the thought of losing Clara following her success on Strictly Come Dancing is one of the BBC’s biggest concerns, with them claiming that the DJ is thought to be pivotal to the future success of the station. 

MailOnline has also contacted representatives for the BBC, Clara Amfo, Nick Grimshaw and Scott Mills for further comment.   

Last month, the BBC has unveiled a dramatic overhaul of the corporation in a bid to make it less London-centric.

Big changes: The BBC is set to shift away from London (its headquarters Broadcasting House, pictured) over the next six years in what it has called its 'biggest transformation in decades'

Big changes: The BBC is set to shift away from London (its headquarters Broadcasting House, pictured) over the next six years in what it has called its ‘biggest transformation in decades’

What changes will the BBC implement in its ‘biggest transformation in decades’?

  • A new BBC One show will be created, tailoring specifically to viewers in the north west and the north east of England.
  • Funds will be invested in two major drama series, with one set in the north of England and another from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
  • Radio 4’s Today programme will be co-presented from outside London for at least 100 episodes a year. PM will also be presented from across the UK.
  • Key daytime programmes on each of Radio 1, 1Xtra and Radio 2 will be made across the UK.
  • 50 per cent of network radio and music spend will be outside London by 2028. 
  • Newsbeat and Asian Network will be based in Birmingham.
  • Radio 3 and 6 Music will be ‘rooted in Salford’. 
  • Cardiff will become the new home of BBC News’s Climate and Science team – while the Technology team will move to Glasgow.
  • Towns and areas that had previously not had a regional TV presence will have new BBC reporters – with a total of 100 hired
  • More performances from the Proms will be broadcast outside London.

The move will see the BBC shift away from London over the next six years in what it has called its ‘biggest transformation in decades’, with some 400 roles – around half of those in BBC News – set to be relocated outside London. 

News and current affairs programmes such as Newsnight will be presented from different UK bases – and Radio 4’s Today show will be co-hosted from outside London for at least 100 episodes a year. 

The decision could also result in a BBC rival to ITV soap Coronation Street.

The broadcaster said it would air two new long-running drama series – one from the North of England and the other from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

There will be around 30 or more episodes a year of the soap or drama, with the exact format to be decided. 

The BBC, which was accused of failing to understand the vote for Brexit, hopes the move changes the tone of its programmes and journalism. 

Key daytime programmes on each of Radio 1, 1Xtra and Radio 2 will be made across the UK and 50 per cent of network radio and music spend will be outside London by 2028. 

In radio, Newsbeat and Asian Network will be based in Birmingham, while Radio 3 and 6 Music will be ‘rooted in Salford’.

More performances from the Proms – which sparked controversy last year over an initial decision to play Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory without lyrics – will be broadcast outside London. 

More than 100 new and returning drama and comedy titles will reflect the lives and communities of audiences outside London over the next three years, the BBC added.

While BBC One daytime show Morning Live will be broadcast year-round from Salford.

The BBC said the plans, which will see more of its operations move to Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Salford, will ‘cement our commitment to better reflect, represent, and serve all parts of the country’. 

Unveiling the new plans, which comes as the BBC begins discussions with the Government over the future cost of the licence fee, BBC Director-General Mr Davie said the ‘challenges for the BBC are real, and we must act now.’ 

He said that ‘people must feel we are closer to them’ adding that with the rise of global streaming giants, ‘the jeopardy for the BBC remains high’.

New home: Radio 4's Today programme (pictured) will be co-presented from outside London for at least 100 episodes a year

New home: Radio 4’s Today programme (pictured) will be co-presented from outside London for at least 100 episodes a year

He said: ‘Our mission must be to deliver for the whole of the UK and ensure every household gets value from the BBC. These plans will get us closer to audiences, create jobs and investment, and develop and nurture new talent.

‘Now, as we look to the future, we must play our part in supporting social and economic recovery, rebuilding the creative sector and telling the stories that need to be heard from all corners of the UK.’

By 2028, the BBC will spend at least an extra £700 million cumulatively across the UK, it said. 

The BBC previously moved hundreds of staff and a number of services to Salford, affecting Children’s TV, Sport, and 5 Live.

The broadcaster also said its property estate in London would be reduced.

New look: The BBC officially announced a dramatic overhaul of the corporation in a bid to make it less London-centric last month (pictured, BBC Director-General Tim Davie)

New look: The BBC officially announced a dramatic overhaul of the corporation in a bid to make it less London-centric last month (pictured, BBC Director-General Tim Davie)