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Vernon Kay to replace Ken Bruce on Radio 2
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 27 February 2023
The BBC has announced that Vernon Kay will present the mid-morning show on Radio 2 from May, taking over from the departing Ken Bruce, who is leaving the BBC station sooner than originally expected.
Kay already presents a weekly ‘Dance Sounds Of The 90s’ programme for Radio 2 and has filled in for various DJs on other shows, including the breakfast show.
On getting his own weekday slot on the UK’s biggest radio station, he says: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be handed the microphone to present the mid-morning show on Radio 2, and what an honour to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce”.
“I look forward to playing some of the best music in the world whilst in the company of the Radio 2 listeners who I feel I’ve got to know over the last eighteen months”, he goes on. “It’s a dream come true to join the Radio 2 family and I can’t wait to start”.
Head Of Radio 2 Helen Thomas adds: “Radio 2 is home to some of the UK’s best loved presenters, and I’m THRILLED to welcome Vernon to mid-mornings on Radio 2″.
“He’s a hugely talented, warm and witty host who has already proved himself to be a firm favourite with our listeners when he’s presented many and varied shows across the station”, she continues. “I can’t wait to hear his brilliant new show”.
Long term Radio 2 DJ Bruce announced in January that he would leave the BBC when his current contract ends in March in order to join Bauer-owned commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.
It was thought that he’d carry on hosting his Radio 2 show until the end of next month, however last week he confirmed that his final show for the BBC will actually be this Friday.
“I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday”, he wrote on Twitter. “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!”
Bruce’s seemingly forced early departure from the Beeb has been criticised by many of his listeners on social media.
Though, given how heavily GHR has been promoting its new recruit since Bruce announced his next job last month, the BBC possibly decided that his Radio 2 show had just become one big advert for a rival station, and therefore an earlier than originally planned departure was for the best.
