Annie Mac (born Annie MacManus) is going to be leaving her position at the BBC Radio 1.
The Irish DJ and broadcaster shared the news via an Instagram post back on April 20, 2021. In the post, she mentioned that she will be leaving BBC Radio 1 after 17 years of service, and her last show will take place on July 30, 2021.
She also went on to state her long journey in the caption. She had written, “It started in 2004 with Annie Mac’s Mashup on Thursday evenings. Then it was the big move to Fridays. Sunday nights were Switch with Grimmy and then The Musical Hot Water Bottle. Since March 2015 it has been every weeknight with the flagship new music show.”
Additionally, she explained the reason behind her decision through the same post. Annie told her well-wishers that she needed more time to spend with her family, now that both of her kids are in school.
So why leave? It’s all about time really. I need more time to see my kids in the evenings now they are both in school.
The elongated caption continued as she wrote, “I would like more time to write fiction and to create podcasts. I also love the idea of leaving the party ( and make no mistake working at Radio 1 does feel like a party ) with a huge smile on my face, when I’m still having the most fun I can have.”
She Further Opened Up On Her Decision
During a recent interview with the Radio Times, the Dublin native further opened up on her decision. In the interview, she stated that spending her evening slot every night while working for BBC Radio 1 is “just not sustainable” for her.
When asked why she told that she wanted to be around her youngest kid in the evenings, he starts school in September.
I wanted to be around in the evenings as my youngest kid starts school in September – but really, lots of things have come together to make this decision feel very easy.
In addition to that, she added that the decision to leave was not spontaneous and it had been on her mind for a while. She continued by saying, “There's something very nice about the feeling of steering your own ship. I want to leave feeling good, with nothing but goodwill on both sides.”
While answering if she would ever return to the BBC, she told that she loves the BBC and hopes that she can come back at some point. Also, she said that she is not walking away from the radio, but is walking away from the slot.
The 42-year-old writer also mentioned that she is very encouraged at Radio 1 with the commitment they have provided to females. Additionally, she told that Clara Amfo replacing her is the “most sensible and inspired choice.”
Likewise, when she was asked if she has encountered any sexism during her service period, Annie took the time to answer it in her old-fashioned way.
She replied, “I never suffered personally. It might have happened behind my back, but I don’t remember it that way. However, I’ve seen over the years that tokenism idea of: ‘Well, as long as we’ve got Annie there, the box is ticked.’”
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Annie Mac joined BBC Radio 1 as an assistant producer before hosting her first show in 2004. She is currently working on her second novel following the success of her debut novel, Mother Mother, published in May 2021.
Annie Mac’s Short Bio
Hailing from the suburbs of Dublin, Ireland, Annie MacManus was born on July 18, 1978. Her zodiac sign is Cancer. She is the daughter of Rosie MacManus, Dave MacManus. Apart from her parents, the Irish DJ/broadcaster has two siblings. Read More Bio...