Vernon Kay has finally spoken out on his new gig, days after it was announced he'd be replacing Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2. The Bolton-born star will take over in May after Ken's final 9.30am to 12pm show on March 3 after 31 years.
Vernon, who is celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly this year, 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 his own BBC Radio 1 show between 2004 and 2012 and another on Radio X between 2015 and 2017.
He is a familiar face on Radio 2, having previously filled in for presenters including Zoe Ball, Steve Wright, Rylan Clark and Dermot O’Leary. The BBC previously said Gary Davies, host of the station’s Sounds Of The 80s, will present the mid-morning show from March 6 until Kay takes over the helm in May on a date yet to be announced.
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The DJ will usher in Radio 2’s new weekday pop quiz to replace Ken's popular PopMaster format, as well as continuing his own radio show, which he has fronted since 2018.
And Vernon, 48, became emotional when reflecting on the support he has received after announcing he will replace veteran broadcaster Ken. Appearing on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Monday (February 27), Vernon said: "My dad is a lorry driver and I said this when I joined Radio 2 and started standing in for Steve Wright, so we’ve always had Radio 2 on in the background.
"It is part of us, it is in our DNA – Ken Bruce is mid-mornings. You don’t think of any other DJ when you think of that slot. Whatever channel you choose to listen to, whoever is on mid-mornings, it’s the Ken Bruce slot. He has made it his own and he is an absolute legend of broadcasting.
"To be asked to step into those big shoes… it was a big deep breath, I’ll be honest with you. Obviously, I am over the moon and so are my parents and Tess and the kids, but it’s the Ken Bruce show and the man has raised the bar so high that I’m just so excited to be able to take the reins. I am absolutely over the moon, I really am."
He was moved to tears when reflecting on all the support he has received since he was announced as the new host. Vernon said: "One of the best things that has happened in the past few days is every single person on Radio 2 has messaged me and sent me an amazing either a voicemail, email, a Whatsapp… just saying how overjoyed that I’m joining the family… I’m getting quite emotional.”
While many listeners are sad to be seeing Ken go, they appeared to welcome Vernon as his replacement until the 72-year-old said the BBC wanted him to leave early. Ken took to Twitter with a statement to say his last BBC Radio 2 show will air next Friday, rather than at the the end of March as he had intended.
It comes after the 72-year-old announced he was leaving the BBC in January before saying he will be moving to Bauer’s Greatest Hits Radio in April to present a new mid-morning show from 10am to 1pm.
Ken said on Friday evening (February 24): "I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!"
He was quickly showered with support with many quick to slam the BBC. But the broadcaster has said in response to Ken's statement: "Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and it’s always been known he’s leaving in March. Returning to Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions at Maida Vale provided a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future."
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