Grimshaw's rise to Radio's top job

Nick Grimshaw, pictured last night at Bacardi's 150th birthday party at which Bacardi Beginnings, a music mentoring scheme was launched

With his sculpted hairdo, his roster of cool mates and appearances at all the best parties, new Radio 1 breakfast host Nick Grimshaw seems a world away from the rough and ready charm of Chris Moyles.

But he will carry on a tradition of outspoken cheekiness which served motormouth Moyles well during his years on the flagship show.

Yet unlike 38-year-old Moyles, he is firmly within the station's target 15 to 29 target audience. And crucially for a station trying to reduce the age profile of its listeners, he is very much in touch with the lives and interests of the youth of today. Grimshaw, 27, is known for being a face around town in London and has a gaggle of celebrity friends. He has spent time hanging out with the Geldof girls, Lily Allen, Agyness Deyn, Mark Ronson and Kelly Osbourne, and was among the mourners at Amy Winehouse's funeral.

Raised in Royton, Oldham, the presenter - known to fans as "Grimmy" - took his first steps as a broadcaster by getting involved with student radio while at Liverpool University.

There he interviewed DJ duo Queenz Of Noise who egged him on to move to London after a post-University job as a record plugger went awry.

He made ends meet working as an intern at MTV, handing out flyers and DJ-ing with friends before being talent-spotted by Channel 4 and at the age of 22 he began working on pop shows.

It was a short step to co-hosting BBC2 music show Sound with DJ Annie Mac, and his swift rise continued when he picked up a slot on Radio 1.

Grimshaw went on to land a weekend show for the station and for the past three years has been hosting a five nights a week show winning a devoted fanbase with his edgy exuberance.

He has also fronted numerous other TV shows including Channel 4's Album Chart Show and the station's coverage of the NME Awards.

PA