Scott Mills returned to Radio 1 this afternoon for the first time since it was announced he would be leaving the station later this year and opened up about his pending departure.
The DJ explained why he opted for Lewis Capaldi to break the news on Friday, and told listeners he "hasn't been fired" alongside a chat with co-star Chris Stark about Friday's shock news.
Scott also poked fun at his age throughout Monday's show - joking that it was 'inevitable' he would get a call from Radio 2 at some point - as he confessed he's "a little bit in denial" at the prospect of leaving Radio 1 at the end of August.
He went on to explain how he and Chris had tried to continue their on-air partnership but can't for various reasons, and admitted neither on them know who will be replacing them when their Radio 1 timeslot becomes free.
The cheeky presenter began his show by addressing the "mad weekend" and alluding to the "big news", before jokingly mentioning how everyone was talking about Mo Salah signing a new contract with Liverpool FC.
After playing a couple of tunes, Scott played a snippet of a voice note from a fan gushing about how much they're going to miss him on the show.
"We feel very loved right now because all the voice notes are saying that," he told listeners.
"We can’t deal with people telling us how great we are and how much they’re going to miss us," he jokingly added.
Scott later went on to explain why he picked Lewis Capaldi to break the news of his pending departure due to his hatred of confrontation.
The radio host, 49, kept silent about his career news over the weekend, bar a post shared to social media on Friday featuring a video message from the singer confirming he and co-host Chris would be bidding farewell to Radio 1 listeners in the coming months.
Scott and Chris jokingly added how the "original plan" had been to have Tiger King star Carole Baskin be the one to break the news, but her £200 video message fee proved to be too expensive.
"I'd like to say that we haven’t been fired," Scott clarified during his show on Monday - jokingly asking Chris if he had been fired.
He then went on to sarcastically 'reveal' that he was in fact 84-years-old and jokingly thanked doctors for helping him keep a youthful appearance over recent years.
"It was inevitable i was going to get a call up from over the road [Radio 2]," Scott quipped to listeners.
He then addressed the end of his partnership with co-host Chris - who will not being joining him at Radio 2 - and explained to fans how they "really tried to make it work" but can't for "various reasons".
"But we're until the end of August and we’re going to go out with a bang," Scott concluded as he wrapped up discussing the pending exit.
"Please don’t be sad, it’s all going to be fine," he continued, before jokingly reading a series of inspirational quotes like: "It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
Elsewhere in the show, Scott reflected on the mixed emotions he's had since the news of his pending departure was made public.
"I feel very weird because I think when you sign up to radio one you always know at some point you’re going to leave," Scott confessed to listeners.
"But I would have dealt on this, if you told me back then that we would have done everything that we have got to do. I am super proud. I don’t want to go too deep right now because there’ll be another time for that.
"But I am super proud of us. I’m super proud of you. So it’s a whole mix of emotions."
Speaking to Chris, he added: "I am so proud of you, and I’m so proud of what we have done together. Let’s not get emotional now, that’s for another time. But I’m feeling weird.
"I’m also feeling a little bit in denial that this is actually happening, but apparently it is."
The popular DJ's pending departure from Radio 1 after 24-years on air with the station was announced on Friday as part of a major BBC shake-up that will see him take over Steve Wright's weekday afternoon slot on Radio 2.
In the wake of Scott's career news being made public on Friday, a whole host of fans, colleagues and celebrities paid tribute to the long-serving broadcaster's stint on the beeb's flagship youth station.
"Scott is the reason I fell in love with Radio 1 and I really think he’s the best that’s ever done it," Radio 1 Breakfast host Greg James told his Instagram followers, while Jordan North added: "I couldn’t agree more, scott is the best of the best."
Rylan - who hosts a weekend show on Radio 2 - welcomed Scott to his new radio family on Twitter, writing: "We will miss you Steve!!!!
"Linda is happy we’re still getting Sunday love songs (her fave show cough cough) sending you all the love. And welcome to my euro hubby @scott_mills !!!!! I’m gonna bully you loads xxxx."
Scott's comments today (Monday 4 July) come after his soon-to-be predecessor Steve addressed the mixed reaction to the news he would be stepping down from his afternoon Radio 2 show after 23 years.
On Friday, many fans of the station vented their anger as it was revealed that Steve's much-loved afternoon show was coming to an end this September.
Addressing the reaction on Sunday, Steve told listeners of his Sunday Love Songs show: "Before we start the show proper, if I may, I'd just like to say thank you ever so much for all the messages that have come in, over the weekend after I announced on Friday on the afternoon that we are leaving the afternoon show.
"This show stays," he confirmed, referring to his popular weekend programme, before assuring fans he will be doing ''other exciting projects for Radio 2 in the future.'
"So I'm not going anywhere. Not going anywhere!" he reiterated.
"Thank you very much for the kind words. It really, really means a lot and I'm back on afternoons until the Autumn from tomorrow anyway.
"So thank you very much," he ended the personal message before moving on with his usual weekend staples.
Scott will make to move to Radio 2 in September, after first joining the BBC in 1998 and enjoying 24-years hosting a variety of shows on Radio 1.
The future Radio 2 star has previously covered for predecessor Steve and Ken Bruce, as well as presented specials such as last year’s Neighbours celebration and recent Dynasty and Eurovision specials.
"Time actually does fly when you’re having fun, and that’s certainly been the case over the past 24 years at my beloved Radio 1," Scott said in a statement on Friday.
"The station I pretended to be on in my bedroom from the age of 6. The station I told my mum I wanted to work at, but never in a million years thought I would.
He added: "There are too many people to thank from my Radio 1 journey. So to the immensely talented people I’ve worked with along the way, to our incredible listeners that have made us part of their everyday lives for so long and of course to Chris [Stark]- not just my co host, but one of my best friends in the world, which of course he will be forever. THANK YOU."
The BBC will also be saying goodbye to Chris Stark who will be leaving Radio 1 to focus on presenting That Peter Crouch Podcast and his podcast with Chef Tom Kerridge The Pirate Ship.
Speaking on today's show, both Chris and Scott admitted they "honestly don’t know" who will be taking over their Radio 1 timeslot when they leave at the end of the summer.
"I think they’re deciding right now. So we’re all going to find out tomorrow together on Radio One at two o’clock," Scott told listeners. "So there’s going to be a big reveal."
Chris added: "That’s going to be weird isn’t it. So the people or person that will be replacing us will come in?"
"Yes," Scott replied. "Let’s do it like when they do the new contestants on Strictly, because we honestly don’t know, so let’s find out together tomorrow at 2pm."
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