Presenter Bobby Friction has abruptly departed from Radio 1, it was announced yesterday, ending the long-running ‘Bobby Friction & Nihal Present…’ show and splitting up the duo.

An insider at Radio 1 told AIM magazine that their “brand” had become “a bit tired and stale” and it was probably for the best.

Bobby Friction and Nihal’s specialist music show on Radio 1 had been running for seven years and had been nominated for numerous awards.

They eventually won a Sony Gold award from the Radio Academy a few years ago.

Friction hosts another show on BBC Asian Network Mondays to Thursday at 10pm that he will continue with.

He told AIM Magazine: “My dream from the early 90’s onwards was to spread the Gospel of Desi music and I even dared to think that Radio 1 might have an Asian Music show one day. When I found myself on Radio 1 ten years later actually playing and talking about the music I loved so much I had a hard time believing it was really happening!”

“I’d like to thank everyone at Radio 1 who made the show happen over the years including Andy Parfitt, Ben Cooper, Ian Parkinson, Rhys Hughes, Paul Thomas, Nihal, David Hillier, Jo Harland, Rachel McHalroy, James Bursey, Chloe Collins, Sam Rumney & the unbeatable Reajuka Sharma!” he added.

The changes are part of a broader shake-up of specialist programming at Radio 1, which includes the departure of presenter Steve Lamacq.

Nihal will start hosting a Tuesday night review show from 9pm looking at the biggest films, games and music of the week. He will stop hosting his weekend afternoon show on Radio 1.

Nihal said of his new show: “It will have you shouting at the radio and scrambling for your mobile. Let verbal combat commence.”

An insider at Radio 1 told AIM magazine that it was time for both of them to move on.

“The Bobby Friction & Nihal show had started to sound a bit tired and stale. They probably wanted to start exploring other career opportunities.”

Bobby Friction has been doing more work at BBC 6 Music radio for the last few months, as well as presenting documentaries for Radio 4.

He told AIM he was currently working on one looking at the differences and similarities between young Asians across the UK, North America and India. Another programme examines desi pub culture in the UK.

He added yesterday: “From broadcasting our Radio 1 show from Mumbai, to releasing a Number 1 album in India, DJ’ing across North America, Europe, The Middle East & Asia as well as winning three Sony Gold Radio Academy awards! It’s been a very intense and intellectually nourishing experience.”