DEAN McCullough has given fans a tearful goodbye today as he signed off his final Radio 1 show after six years.
The 34-year-old was one of four presenters axed from the station, to make way for a fresh new line-up.
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And, it seems he is absolutely devastated as he broke down in tears during the last 10 minutes of his Early Breakfast show, which he co-hosts with Rickie Haywood-Williams.
Dean said: “I wasn’t expecting this [the song] to be part of our beautiful ending but it really has turned into a gorgeous wee song.
“This is my last show on Radio 1 what an amazing six years I’ve had. I’ve been lucky enough to thank I hope everybody that I’ve had the pleasure of working with and now it’s your turn. Thank you.
“Last night writing this I couldn’t get through it, I didn’t know how I could put all of my feeling into words.”
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He continued: “I just want to say to you listening right now whether you’ve listened to me every morning or you’ve dipped in and out, you’ve sent me a message, laughed at something stupid I’ve said or if you’ve just had me on in the background whilst you’ve got on with you day, thank you for letting me be part of your life.
“You’ve been a huge part of mine. Radio 1 has given me memories that I’ll carry for the rest of my life. I was so lost in the pandemic, my world had got very very dark.
“Radio is my medicine. I’ve said it before I’ve lost a dog, two cousins, a best friend and an aunt all whilst on air and I never told anybody because I knew they’d stop me from carrying on and I knew that I needed to do my best for my listeners and in turn that would heal me if only just for a few hours.”
“I’ve given it all, to the detriment of my mental health at times and that’s a learning that I’ll take with me while my passion for video is only growing stronger as I take the next step in my career,” admitted Dean.
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“Look the truth is while I love Radio 1 with all of my heart and I always will, I have felt for a while that it was time for me to have a change.”
Dean revealed that he’s leaving Manchester and returning to London with his boyfriend and some “big dreams.”
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He said: “It has been a really tough decision and we didn’t take this decision lightly, me and my team.”
Dean’s voice cracked and he began to sobbing as he said: “I knew that whatever happened I wanted to create a beautiful ending and leave gracefully, with nothing but pride for this chapter in my life.
“So thank you for allowing me to do that this week, you have no idea how much it’s meant to me.”
The show went quiet for a long pause while Dean gathered himself enough to say one last thank you to fans. He then hinted that he’s already secured a new gig.
“It’s definitely not goodbye…because I’ll be back on your radio soon. I’m just having a minute to breathe after 16 years of hard graft and two and a bit years of 3:30am alarms,” said Dean.
His Radio 1 career began in 2020, with various cover roles, before landing Scott Mills’ former Afternoon Show two years later, alongside Vicky Hawkesworth.
The broadcaster then moved to Early Breakfast in July 2024, and has been there ever since.
Dean isn’t the only one to be axed from Radio 1, as his I’m A Celebrity campmate Melvin Odoom and his co-host Rickie Haywood-Williams are also moving on.
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They are being replaced by GK Barry, Charley Marlowe, Mylo & Rosie, and Emil Franchi.