Meet Jameela Jamil - the new face of BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart!

This afternoon Jameela Jamil takes over THE most important job in pop - hosting The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1! We invited her to Official Charts HQ for a chat to find out what she's been doing to prepare.

Jameela Jamil has wanted to present the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 for as long as she can remember. And, later this afternoon, between 4 and 7pm, the 26-year-old former host of the station’s Request Show finally gets her chance to count down the Top 40 to the nation! We thought it was high time you got to know her better..

Hi Jameela, congratulations! Hosting Radio 1’s Official Chart show - surely THE most important job in pop?  Are you ready for this mission?  What are you doing to get yourself limbered up?

“Thank you! I'd say the pop stars have the most important jobs in pop, but I get to tell them whether or not it's all paid off. I am totally ready for this mission. I've been dreaming about it for 20 years, so it's NOW or never! I haven't been sleeping or eating, which isn't great, but I'm too anxious and excited. The other Radio 1 DJs went and bought me those fridge magnet numbers you get when you are four years old to learn how to count... I have been using them religiously.”

We’ve done some investigating, and by the power of the Official Charts’ archive we can hereby confirm that Billy Ocean’s When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going was Number 1 when you were born.  How does this sum up your life?

“I'd say it sums me up perfectly. I haven't had a plain sailing journey to get here, but what I have had is relentless support from Radio 1 who I can credit with believing in me when I failed to believe in myself (a frequent habit of mine...).”

Which Radio 1 DJ hosted the Official Chart when you were growing up?  And (without wishing this to sound like a job interview!), what are you looking to bring to this awesome role Miss Jamil?

“Mark Goodier was really the one who made me fall in love with the chart. He made it so exciting. I can only hope I bring a piece of that to my version. I am so passionate about music, I always have been. I'm far more likely to leave the house without my pants than without my MP3 player… So I think it's important to keep up the momentum. I also love that we are so visual this time round. We will have filmed interviews, location shoots, videos… The works! There are even rumours of GREEN SCREEN! Imagine if they could project my head on to Beyonce's body!”

Woah! I don’t think we’re ready for that jelly! See what we did there? Next question: What was the first single you ever bought?

“Informer by Snow, I was 7 years old and he was king to me. I still love that song.”

And your first concert?

“The Strokes back in 2004. That was the first time I ever experienced love at first sight. Shortly after I got elbowed in the face during an impromptu mosh to Last Night. But I wore the black eye proudly as a souvenir of the night.”

Last song you played on your iPod?

“If I Fell by The Beatles. That song makes me want to fall in love! They are hands down without fail, the best band of all time. In my most humble, of humble opinions.”

Who was your first pop crush?

“I have to say it was Will Smith. I was absolutely certain we'd get married one day. I was crushed the day he married Jada. Crushed I tell you!”

And your CURRENT pop crush?

“My current pop crush? Beyonce. It's a girl crush, granted. But it's all consuming. Knowing I might be able to tell her to her face may just be why I was born. Male wise? I suppose Calvin Harris is babe-ing pretty hard right now. I suppose blondes do have more fun!”

Who's the most famous person you have in your phone contacts book right now?

“Oh god, I don't have many... But, I do have Snoop Dog's number! Have I ever used it? NO! But do I like to keep it? Obviously!”

What’s been your most embarrassing pop moment?

“Falling over during a paint fight with Olly Murs, losing my front tooth, breaking three ribs and my left elbow… ON NATIONAL TELEVISION! Plus everyone saw my enormous granny pants. They were the size of a Glastonbury tent. Cringe!”

What's your greatest karaoke tune?

“Oh god! I hate karaoke. Not for me. I'm far too shy. No way. The thought is making me sweat.”

Do you have a signature dance move?

“I pretend to dance. I sing along and mime to the song whilst jumping, so people THINK I'm dancing. But I'm not. I'm making an ass of myself.”

And finally, what is your all-time favourite Disney song?

“King Louis’ I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book! That song needs to be remixed by someone…fast. I would die to play that on the Official Chart!”

Jameela Jamil presents The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1, Sundays, 4-7pm. Watch at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 between 6-7pm.