The BBC has stated that Vernon Kay will replace Ken Bruce in his weekly mid-morning position on Radio 2. Bruce announced his departure from the station after 31 years on the air in January.
“Vernon is a kind guy, and I wish him well,” Bruce told BBC News, adding that he “wouldn’t dream of giving anyone else broadcasting advice.”
Kay, well-known for hosting ITV’s All-Star Family Fortunes, described taking over the show as a “dream come true.”
“And what an honor it is to follow in the footsteps of the great Ken Bruce,” he continued. “I am really ecstatic to be given the microphone.”
Bruce, who has worked for the BBC for 46 years, revealed on Twitter on March 3 that he will host his farewell program.
He tweeted on Friday,
“I had planned to complete my contract to the end of March, but the BBC has decided it wants me to depart sooner. Let’s enjoy the upcoming week!”
Kay has formerly hosted shows on Radio 1 and Radio X, and he presently hosts Dancing Sounds of the 1990s on Radio 2 with his “Back to Bolton Cheesy Bangers”
The 48-year-old, who is married to the host of Strictly Come Dancing, will debut his new show in May.
DJ Gary Davies will fill the void left by Bruce’s departure and the debut of Kay’s show.
The midmorning show, famous for its daily Popmaster quiz, is currently the most popular radio program in the United Kingdom, with more than 8.5 million weekly listeners, according to data from industry organization Rajar.
Bruce will take the Popmaster format with him when he transfers to Greatest Hits Radio, the competing commercial station.
Steve Wright’s 23-year run as Radio 2’s afternoon host came to an end when he departed the station. Wright emphasized he was not retiring and would continue to host his Sunday morning program.
Paul O’Grady and Vanessa Feltz are two additional popular presenters who left the station during the past year.
Wright has been replaced by Scott Mills, and O’Grady’s slot is being presented by Rob Beckett.
Owain Wyn Evans replaced Feltz as the host of the early breakfast show broadcast from Cardiff.
What is his identity?
The presenter from Bolton began his career as a model, which led to him hosting links on Channel 4’s teen-oriented T4 channel.
Between 2004 to 2012, he aired his own show on BBC Radio 1, then between 2015 and 2017, he hosted the mid-morning show on Radio X.
The television and radio personality also hosted the ITV game show All Star Family Fortunes, a celebrity-themed version of the long-running quiz program, from 2006 to 2015, as well as two series of Beat the Star from 2008 to 2009.
In 2010, he co-hosted another ITV game show with Caroline Flack titled The Whole 19 Yards. In the same year, the Englishman hosted the six-part series Skating with the Stars in the United States.
Kay, a lifelong American Football fan who has also participated in the sport, hosted The American Football Show on Channel 4 in 2013. At the beginning of the 2018-2019 season, he also provided live Formula E coverage.
From 2013 to 2014, he co-hosted the celebrity diving show Splash! with Gabby Logan, in which Team GB Olympic gold medalist diver Tom Daley mentored pool-bound celebrities.
Kay, a substitute presenter on the One Show and This Morning, also placed third on the 2020 season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, trailing fellow broadcaster Jordan North and eventual winner Giovanna Fletcher.
Throughout the years, he has also appeared on the Masked Singer, Shooting Stars, Bo’ Selecta!, and Would I Lie To You? His cameos in films include Shaun of the Dead.
Kay told BBC News in 2021, prior to the premiere of his new ITV series Game of Talents, that he felt “shackled” when using an autocue and that it was more his style to prepare before shows and then “have a laugh in the studio.”
Bruce is one of the longest-serving hosts on Radio 2, having joined the BBC in 1977 and assuming his first regular Radio 2 spot in 1984.
Next month, the 72-year-old Scotsman, who has also hosted the station’s Eurovision coverage since 1988, will air his final episode.
“I’ve decided it’s time for me to leave Radio 2,” he said last month, adding that he’d had a “tremendously joyful time” there but that it was “time for a change.”
Kay’s voice will be recognizable to Radio 2 listeners, as she has previously stood in for Zoe Ball, Steve Wright, Rylan Clark, and Dermot O’Leary.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said the station was “thrilled to welcome” Kay on board permanently, describing him as “a hugely talented, warm, and witty host” who has “already established himself as a firm favorite among our listeners when he’s presented numerous and varied shows across the station.”
Other planned activities revealed by the station on Friday include a Van Morrison Blues Show special hosted by Cerys Matthews, Tony Blackburn spinning soul specials over Easter, and the Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum honoring Nina Simone’s music.
Elsewhere, listeners will be treated to a Country Music Season to commemorate the station’s official affiliation with the Country 2 Country Music Festival, and in a new documentary, Jo Whiley will honor the 12″ single.
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