‘Radio 1 was like having a six-year hangover!’

Nick Grimshaw on his crazy days as our fave breakfast host

- MARC BAKER

From clubbing with Harry Styles and partying with Rihanna to introducing his dad to Lady Gaga, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw has done it all.

In his debut book, a sort-of memoir called Soft Lad, he opens up about his life on the nation’s favourite breakfast show, the crazy nights out and how he found love with model Meshach Henry – who he is set to marry.

“We were looking at this year but the book is all we have talked about, so we hope to get married next year,” the 38-year-old says.

And as he enjoys life with Meshach, Nick doesn’t have to worry about the alarm clock going off at stupid o’clock. But that’s not the only big change.

“My life is nice now,” he says. “Not because I’m not on the radio but because I am going through wellness. It wasn’t until my 30s I thought, ‘Maybe a glass of water?’ I have a feeling of contentment now.”

Here, Nick tells us more...

Hi, Nick! We all miss you on BBC Radio 1, why did you decide to leave?

Well, when the pandemic happened, it made me go back to the reason why I loved radio, because it connected people. It became a meditation, going in every day and connecting with people. I did think, “This is a nice time to end.” When I left Radio 1, I cooled down. It was the start of me reflecting. I could breathe out. When you are doing stuff every day, you have no time to think about yourself. 

How crazy did it get with all the partying?