Stand-up gets new weekly slot

Tom Deacon is to present a new weekly comedy show on Radio 1.

He will host a regular Wednesday night show from the new year, featuring a string of comedian guests.

The stand-up has previously hosted a Sunday night show for the station, and filled in for various presenters across the schedules.

But he landed the new 9pm show following a shake-up sparked by Reggie Yates and Vernon Kay deciding the quit the station.

He said: ‘I'm really excited about this new show. I've been doing stand-up comedy for six years and presenting on Radio 1 for the last three, so I’m delighted to be bringing these things together. Expect awesome comedians live in the studio, great music, and lots of laughs... I can’t wait to get started.’

Deacon began his comedy career by winning the Chortle Student Comedy Award in 2007. He has since gone on to appear on TV shows including The Rob Brydon Show, Dave's One Night Stand and Edinburgh and Beyond.

The new schedule will come into effect from the beginning of January, and also includes new shows for YouTube sensations Dan and Phil

The pair – whose humorous online videos have had 100 million views – take over the Sunday night request show which will now be ‘fully visualised’ with online content that blurs the boundaries between TV and radio.

Kay is quitting his weekend slot after almost a decade, saying he wanted to spend more time with wife Tess Daily and his two daughters, three and eight; while Yates is leaving to concentrate on other work including a new documentary series for BBC Three.

Published: 9 Nov 2012