19 Facts About Andy Parfitt

Andy Parfitt was the Controller of BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom, and held that role from 1998 to 2011, taking over from Matthew Bannister.

Andy Parfitt was the controller of BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Asian Network, BBC Popular Music and BBC Switch.

Andy Parfitt was recently appointed Chair of the UK charity Youth Music.

Andy Parfitt went to Ashton Park Comprehensive School in Bower Ashton, Bristol.

Andy Parfitt then went to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Andy Parfitt later attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Andy Parfitt joined the BBC in 1980 working as a Studio Manager.

Andy Parfitt spent some time with BFBS in the Falkland Islands, before returning to the UK in 1984.

Andy Parfitt became a producer in BBC Education in 1985, then joined Radio 4 in 1987 and produced Pick of the Week and Bookshelf.

Andy Parfitt helped set up BBC Radio 5, and became the network's Assistant Editor in 1989.

Andy Parfitt joined Radio 1 as Chief Assistant to the Controller in 1993.

In March 1998, Andy Parfitt was appointed Controller of Radio 1.

Subsequently, Andy Parfitt was instrumental in changes to the Radio 1 daytime output including the appointment of Chris Moyles as the Radio 1 Breakfast Show host in January 2004, as well as the 2006 reshuffle which saw Colin Murray move to 10pm.

In July 2006 Andy Parfitt was appointed the BBC's Teen Tzar.

In July 2007 Andy Parfitt presented a two part series for BBC Radio 4 entitled California Dreaming.

Andy Parfitt had been caretaking the role since Lesley Douglas resigned from the post.

On 21 July 2011 it was announced Andy Parfitt would leave Radio 1 at the end of July, after 13 years at the station.

Andy Parfitt was succeeded as Acting Controller by Ben Cooper.

Andy Parfitt married Laura Druce in 1996 in Bath and North East Somerset.