Sir Spyro, the BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ whose real name is Karl Joseph, is leaving the station after nine years, with his final show set to broadcast on Tuesday 24 November. The 40-year-old began hosting the Grime Show in 2017.
The departure was announced on the station's official Instagram account, which thanked the presenter for his contribution over the years.
Station announcement and tributes
The Instagram post read: "After nine years of broadcasting some of the best Grime music on BBC Radio 1Xtra, @sirspyro will be leaving the station with his final show broadcasting on Tuesday 24 November. We would like to thank Spyro for the energy and passion he has brought to Radio 1Xtra over the years, and we wish him the very best for the future."
The station also confirmed that "@mangasainthilare will cover the show from Tuesday, December 1 until April," adding that "More details will be announced soon."
Colleagues and fans have responded with support. Fellow DJ Sian Anderson commented: "The absolute best to do it. Can't say Grime without saying Spyro. This show will be HEAVILY missed." BBC Radio's Yasmin Evans added: "Very much a one-of-a-kind specialist DJ/Show, and an absolute JOY to be around. What a great run!"
BAFTA-winning TV chef Big Zuu also commented: "What a guy and what a show."
Listener reactions and career background
Listeners expressed disappointment at the news. One wrote: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! @sirspyro, your shows keep me going from North England to North London… S.O.T.S." Another said: "What a loss...his show is my default run playlist," while a third commented: "Nahhh, he's gotten me through some late-night Tuesday drives."
Spyro's turntable skills date back to his childhood, after he picked up the talent at a local youth club at age 10, and he quickly rose to become one of the Grime genre's most trusted hitmakers.
The news follows the recent exit of BBC Radio 1 presenter Maia Beth from Mollie King's Future Pop. In an Instagram announcement, she said: "Goodbye Future Pop. I've worked at the BBC since I was a teenager, and BBC Radio 1 for 5 years." She cited opportunities such as being the first person in the UK to play Chappell Roan and DJing Main Stage at Big Weekend in Sunderland, and said she made "the really difficult decision to leave Future Pop." Maia added that she will continue interviewing artists for the Mercury Prize, doing the Gladiators live tour, DJing the finish line of the Great North Run and working at wrestling shows.
