Clara Amfo paid an emotional farewell to Radio 1’s Future Sounds show on Thursday night after three years.
The presenter joined Radio 1 in 2015 and had been presenting the new music programme, which airs over 6pm-8pm every Monday to Thursday, since Annie Mac’s departure in 2021.
She previously presented The Official Chart Show on Radio 1 and later succeeded Fearne Cotton as the station’s mid-morning presenter.
Amfo announced in December she would be leaving Future Sounds and presenting in a full-time capacity. However, she will still present occasional features and interviews for Radio 1 and the BBC’s Sounds platform.
For her final show, Amfo was joined by Radio 1 presenters past and present such as Greg James and Trevor Nelson – while she chose all her favourite music and rapped to Millionaire by Kelis and Andre 3000.
She said in her final link: “We infiltrate lives (on this show), you allow us to join in for what you are doing in such a particular way. It’s special. I can’t stress to you how much it means to me.
“I was quite scared at the start when I joined from 1Xtra and I felt like I didn’t fit in. But Greg James told me that none of us fit in, and that’s why it works. I have found that to be true.
“Thank you for giving me your ears for the entire time.”
Amfo is on the move but what does that mean for the Radio 1 schedule?
Who will replace Clara Amfo on Future Sounds?
Jack Saunders will be taking over Radio 1's Future Sounds show from April 15.
Zane Lowe, Annie Mac and Steve Lamacq have all also presented the show in its various incarnations.
Aled Haydn-Jones, the head of BBC Radio 1, said: “Jack was born to host this show – I am so excited to hear what he delivers for Radio 1’s music-loving audience.”
How will the Radio 1 schedule change?
Saunders, who has previously covered Future Sounds, will step up from Radio 1’s Future Artists, which goes out later in the evening.
It seems that Future Artists will be no more as Sian Eleri has been announced as the host of a new show focused on launching new artists between 8pm and 10pm, Mondays to Wednesdays.
She currently presents The Chillest Show and The Power Down Playlist, both on Radio 1, after her previous show on BBC Radio Cymru. Eleri has also covered Future Sounds.
