"Thanks for impeccable service to the rave": Music industry pays tribute to Annie Mac on her last day at Radio 1
Today marks the veteran DJ's last day at Radio 1 after 17 years
Music industry figures have been sharing their stories of Annie Mac today to mark her last day presenting at BBC Radio 1.
The veteran DJ and broadcaster announced she would be leaving Radio 1 in April, to focus on family and her literary career.
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Mac started at the BBC in 2002 as a broadcast assistant before her debut show, Annie Mac's Mashup first aired in 2004. Initially, on Thursday evenings, the show was moved to Friday evenings for eager pre-night out listeners.
She's since been hosting her Future Sounds show between 6:PM and 8:PM on weeknights and her Dance Party show on Friday evenings.
Radio 1 colleague Pete Tong took to Twitter to pay tribute to Annie:
"What an incredible ride it’s been, you've been an amazing ambassador, curator, supporter, enthusiast of dance and electronic music and a massive role model."
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While husband Toddla T, whom Annie regularly worked with at Radio 1, proposed a "National Annie Mac week".
Fellow DJ Fatboy Slim thanked Annie "For impeccable service to the rave, we’ll miss having you on our airwaves but we’ll follow your ventures wherever they lead us."
You can read more tributes below:
Yesterday, Annie shared a poignant commendation of the women she's worked with during her time at Radio 1 on Instagram, including veterans Maryanne Hobbs, Sara Cox, Jo Whiley, B Traits, Jaguar, Tiffany Calver, Jamz Supernova and more.
She wrote: "When I joined Radio 1, the gatekeepers of mainstream music and alternative music on the radio were mostly men. It was lads lads lads! Chris Moyles was at the helm, who generally seemed to use women (and anyone who wasn’t cis male) as props for jokes."
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"We’ve come some ways, and I know it’s obvious to say but god it’s important to say, that there’s still a way to go. I love listening to women on the radio. All colours and creeds. Funny women. Nerdy women. Whip smart women."
"I would love to not be pleasantly surprised when there’s a new appointment of a solo female DJ in a high profile show. I would love to hear a mainstream radio show with two female co-presenters. Broadcasting needs to keep investing in women in all of our varied glory."
BBC Radio 1 is asking for requests ahead of tonight's final Dance Party after Annie Mac described attempting to programme the show as "overwhelming."
Instead, wanting to collaborate with listeners on the music for the show, Annie has asked for fans to submit tracks via Twitter that they associate with her and her last 17 years broadcasting.
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter