Radio 1, BFBS partner for Afghanistan day

Radio 1 has confirmed plans to partner with British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) Radio for a day of live programming from Afghanistan.

On May 31, live segments will be broadcast periodically throughout Radio 1's daytime schedule (9am to 7pm) from a British military base in the country.

Anchored by BFBS presenters Richard Hatch and Jessie Aru in Afghanistan, the segments will give serving troops the opportunity to request songs and broadcast messages to their friends and family in the UK.

A Radio 1 production team will also join BFBS radio in Camp Bastion - the main base for British troops in Afghanistan - to interview troops and create content for the broadcast day.

Alongside the regular bulletins, longer segments will air in Radio 1's afternoon shows between midday and 2pm. A podcast featuring all the day's content will also be aired later across the BFBS network.

"Being on the ground with our Forces, living cheek-by-jowl with our audience, is what BFBS Radio is all about," said the station's controller Nicky Ness.

"The launch last year of our studio in Camp Bastion was particularly special as it is the first frontline operational station to open since we launched on DAB in the UK earlier last year, so for the first time in our 65-year history we are connecting the troops in theatre live and direct with their families at home."

Radio 1 executive producer Rhys Hughes added: "This is the first time BBC Radio 1 has teamed up with BFBS to broadcast direct from Afghanistan and we're proud to be working with them.

"Giving our servicemen and women the chance to broadcast dedications to loved ones back home is the very least we can do to support the incredibly important work they do."

At the Sony Radio Academy Awards earlier in the week, BFBS received a 'Special Award' in recognition of its unique contribution to the industry.