Dean McCullough says he 'sacrificed' his 'views and voice' working at BBC Radio 1
Dean McCullough has reflected on his time working at BBC Radio 1, saying he felt he had "sacrified" his "public views and in tern, a part of my voice" after joining the station in 2020.
Dean McCullough claims he "sacrificed" his "views and voice" while working at BBC Radio 1.
The 34-year-old star reflected on his time at the station just days before his final Early Breakfast show on Thursday (03.09.26) after getting axed alongside five other presenters as part of a big shake-up of the network's schedule.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (01.09.26), Dean posted a video montage that captured his six years at Radio 1.
His caption read: "I wanted to speak openly about my feelings of arriving at BBC Radio 1 6 years ago already broadcasting as an out and proud as a gay man.
"I’d spent 3 and a half years at LGBTQ+ station Gaydio being outspoken and opinionated on air.
"Moving to the BBC meant sacrificing my public views and in tern, a part of my voice. It’s not been easy and I’ve had to do a lot of my advocacy in the shadows.
"But this chapter has been full of learnings and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to my listeners and producers, the people that matter, for just allowing me to be me.
"You’ve no idea how much that means to me and for other queer people in this space.
"And look, it’s not my story to ‘fit in’ and ‘be everyone’s cup of tea’ that extremely boring to me. If I’ve learnt anything in my 16 years of being a presenter it’s ’speak from your heart and the right people will hear you’ (sic)."
Dean's followers rushed to the post's comments section to praise his work on at Radio 1, as one penned: "Dean, you’ve really made the early breakfast your own, you should be so proud of that!
"Kept all us early commuters company, but do hope you get more of a lie-in in your next chapter!"
A second supporter typed: "You are the reason I listen to radio 1 and and e will defo miss you driving to work first thing in the morning when everybody is sleeping! Love forever your bestie (sic)."
And a third follower wrote: "Best of luck Dean your pretty amzin !!! Good things happen to good people best of luck (sic)."
Dean's journey at Radio 1 began when he covered Clara Amfo, 42, for two days in December 2020, and he returned in March the following year to present the Friday editions of the Early Breakfast show for five weeks.
September 2021 saw him host the station's 10.30am-1pm slot, Fridays to Sundays, before he landed 53-year-old Scott Mills' Afternoon Show alongside Vicky Hawkesworth, 30, in July 2022.
Dean moved to the 5am-7am Early Breakfast show two years later and has been there ever since.
Joining the star in the Radio 1 axings are his I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 co-star Melvin Odoom and Rickie Haywood-Williams, both 46, Nat O’Leary, 34, James Cusack, 36, and Swarzy.
Replacing them are GK Barry, 27, Charley Marlowe, 26, Emil Franchi, 33, and Mylo and Rosie.
