Radio 1 breakfast host Nick Grimshaw aims to double Moyles’ musical output

The 28-year-old is taking over when Moyles leaves the show after eight and a half years with a special broadcast next Friday in front of a live audience.

A station source said the new show would see the number of songs increase from four to five an hour to eight to ten.

Grimshaw, known for his posse of celebrity pals including Lily Allen, Alexa Chung, Miquita Oliver and Harry Styles from One Direction, was a surprise choice, with drivetime show host Greg James expected to be the next breakfast host.

His first appearance is expected to be on 24 September.

Another change will see Grimshaw present the programme on his own after Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper said he wanted to move on from the “zoo” format of Moyles’ show in which his production team play a large part.

The presenter, known to fans as “Grimmy”, was raised in Royton, Oldham, and took his first steps as a broadcaster in student radio at Liverpool University.

He worked at MTV and Channel 4 before co-hosting the BBC2 music show Sound with DJ Annie Mac, and his swift rise continued when he picked up a slot on Radio 1.

It is unclear whether Moyles, who has an audience of 7.1  million according to the latest figures, will stay with the station.

He has said he is taking a break from radio while he appears as King Herod in a  touring version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Jesus Christ  Superstar.