Vernon Kay has admitted that replacing Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 is “like replacing Alex Ferguson” at Manchester United.
The TV presenter is gearing up for his first weekday morning show on Monday after he was announced as Bruce’s replacement in March, after 31 years at the helm.
The 49-year-old said he has no doubt about the enormity of the task and has even rehearsed his commute to BBC studios several times.
He told The Mirror: “Let’s not beat around the bush. Ken’s show is massive and it’s all thanks to him and what he’s done over that long period of time. It’s like replacing Alex Ferguson.
“It’s taken them [Manchester United] several managers. I hope it doesn’t take Radio 2 several DJs to replace Ken.”
Previously, it was revealed that Kay will bring “big tunes, big names and big laughs” to listeners, as well as introducing a few new surprises.
His new show will feature the daily music quiz Ten To The Top, Tracks Of My Years, the Record and Album Of The Week, and performances from the Radio 2 Piano Room.
The BBC revealed that the Bolton native will welcome musical legends Def Leppard and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds into the Piano Room sessions in the first two weeks of his stint.
Ahead of his new tenure, Kay shared: “To be hosting the new Radio 2 mid-morning show is a total privilege. It’s going to be an unforgettable start to what promises to be an amazing journey.
“And to have two music legends coming up in the Radio 2 Piano Room is a dream come true.”
Kay, who is married to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, is known for fronting various shows on Channel 4’s T4 as well as ITV programmes including All Star Family Fortunes, Just The Two Of Us, and Beat The Star.
He presented a BBC Radio 1 show between 2004 and 2012 and another on Radio X between 2015 and 2017 and has filled in for BBC Radio 2 presenters including Zoe Ball, Steve Wright, Rylan Clark and Dermot O’Leary.
Bruce, 72, announced he was leaving the BBC in January and will be moving to Bauer’s Greatest Hits Radio in April to present a new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm.
