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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 1Xtra DJ Benji B is moving to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 1 to host the Thursday 2-4am* slot on the station.

As one of the UK's most respected specialist music DJs, Benji is acknowledged as a leader in the future and soulful music movement renowned for playing cutting edge music from under the radar; as well as playing club nights around the world and running his own club night in London.

Since Radio 1Xtra began broadcasting eight years ago, Benji has presented a weekly show on the station (currently Sundays, 10pm-1am) playing the latest and greatest mix of house, hip-hop, dubstep, beats and soulful electronic music and inviting some of the very best artists to the show for interviews and exclusive mixes. His final Radio 1Xtra show will be on Sunday 10 October and he makes his Radio 1 debut on Thursday 14 October.

Benji B says: "I've loved every minute of my eight years at 1Xtra and am delighted to be given this incredible opportunity.

"I can't wait to bring the essence of my Sunday night show and my loyal audience to my new Radio 1 programme."

Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 1, says: "Benji B's reputation for finding and supporting new cutting-edge music is exemplary, and I'm excited about him being able to put his own mark on the slot by bringing some of the finest cutting-edge dub step and experimental electronica to our audiences."

With Benji B's move to Radio 1 there will be a new line-up of programmes on Sunday nights on Radio 1Xtra.

Target's 100% Homegrown show (currently on Sundays, 7-10pm) moves to 10pm-1am; from 7-8pm there's a new show – My Top Ten – with 1Xtra playlisted artists playing their favourite ten tunes each week; from 8-9pm there will be an hour packed full with the best of 1Xtra's shows from that week; and 9-10pm becomes the new home for Radio 1Xtra's Stories – the station's documentary strand which will explore the musical back story of listeners' favourite artists, eras, genres and scenes.

Notes to Editors

* Benji B is taking over the slot left vacant by Mary Anne Hobbs who, after 14 years at Radio 1, has accepted a new job teaching and mentoring students at the University of Sheffield's Union of Students radio station, TV station and newspaper.

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