Jamie Laing, who was born in Oxford, said he is "not just a posh idiot" as he prepares to start work for BBC Radio 1.

The former star of "Made In Chelsea" has turned to podcasting in recent times and is set to replace Jordan North's on the drivetime show from this Monday.

Mr North, who has around a decade of service at Radio 1, departed his spot of 3.30pm to 6pm Monday to Thursday last month.

Oxford Mail: Jordan NorthJordan North (Image: PA)

Mr Laing, who attended Radley College in Abingdon, told the Sunday Times: "It’s a misconception that I just swanned in here."

Sharing his experience of striving for this job over eight years, he continued: "I’ve been trying to get this job for eight years, constantly grinding, constantly asking to do little slots.

"No one is given a job here because their mum or dad helped them into it. You have to earn your colours."

Mr Laing started podcast presenting with his wife Sophie Habboo with "NewlyWeds" and the BBC's "6 Degrees From Jamie and Spencer" alongside Spencer Matthews.

Both Mr Matthews and Ms Habboo rose to fame on the E4 reality show "Made In Chelsea", which tracks the lives of wealthy young people in west London.

Being a descendant of Sir Alexander Grant, 1st Baronet, the man behind McVitie’s digestive biscuit, Mr Laing hopes the public see him as more than just a privileged individual.

He told the Sunday Times: "What people see now is that I’m maybe not just a posh idiot.

"After years of doing podcasting, the audience went, 'Oh, hang on, we trust this person'.

"When you have doubters, that honestly lights a flame within me.

"If the hurdle I have to cross is that some people think I’m going to leave within a year, then great."

Mr Laing has appeared on several shows including "Through The Keyhole", "8 Out of 10 Cats", "Would I Lie To You?" and "Celebrity Juice".

He will join forces with Manchester-born Radio 1 presenter Katie Thistleton in his new role.

Mr North, who had been co-hosting Radio 1's "Going Home" with Vick Hope, recently switched to being a presenter of "Capital Breakfast", taking over from Roman Kemp.

He also presents a podcast and gained popularity after his appearance on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, in which he was runner-up.

He is also set to appear on the panel of Celebrity Big Brother: Late & Live along with Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse and actor Layton Williams.

Meanwhile, Ms Hope will still perform her duties for "Going Home With Vick, Katie and Jamie".