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BBC Radio 1’s Arielle Free suspended after on-air clash with Charlie Hedges

Arielle Free was taken off air over the weekend after criticising Charlie Hedges' music choice.

By Nick Reilly

Arielle Free (Picture: Getty)

One of BBC Radio 1’s leading presenters has been pulled off air after a clash with a fellow presenter during a live show in Ibiza over the weekend.

Arielle Free briefly joined Charlie Hedges’ Dance Anthems Ibiza show on Sunday, but was cut off after she criticised the DJ’s choice of music.

After being introduced, Scottish star Free said to Hedges: “Can I be honest with you…I don’t like this song…I hate it.”

She went on to criticise the track – ‘My Barn, My Rules’ by Stream MCR-T and horsegiirL – in further detail, causing Hedges to turn down Free’s microphone.

“Sorry, I’m taking your mic down,” Hedges announced. “It’s my show, Arielle, have some respect, please.”

36-year-old Free was on air for less than a minute and various reports claim she will return to the airwaves next week.

In a statement, BBC Radio 1 said: “Whilst we would not comment on individual matters, we have strict codes of behaviour for staff and presenters, and any breaches are taken extremely seriously.”

Free has been a BBC Radio 1 host since 2019 and is one of the station’s leading dance DJs. She has also co-hosted the official Love Island podcast, Love Island: The Morning After.