Vernon Kay has no doubt about the enormity of the task at hand as he takes over from Radio 2 legend Ken Bruce today.
In fact, the 49-year-old has been so keen to perfect his new show he has even rehearsed his commute to the BBC studios several times and even played whole shows to no listeners.
Vernon, who steps into the weekday morning slot left vacant by Bruce after 31 years, said: “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.”
Speaking of the commute from his Buckinghamshire home, getting on an 8am train and then an 11 minute e-Bike ride, he added: “I’m feeling more nervous about the journey than I am putting the microphone up.
“I’ve got my helmet, I’m ready to go. It will be quite an adventure. The nice thing is when you get off the train and cycle in, it will give me a moment. It’s only 11 minutes, but it gives you a moment to just collect yourself and observe the world.”
Bruce, 72, amassed an audience of 8.4 million before he quit for Greatest Hits Radio in March.
Bolton lad Vernon has stood in for many DJs on the station but this is his first full time show. He said: “Ken has had that relationship for 31 years and now I’ve been given the keys to the ship to sail, hopefully into the horizon. Nothing’s going to change because Radio 2’s all about the music and having it on in the background, especially this slot, 9.30 till 12.
“I think just that movement, the weight of that fader going up, it makes your heart skip a beat or two because you’ve just got to be on it.
“But I know my latte limit to make sure that I don’t talk gibberish.”
Vernon admitted he will be playing things safe as he finds his feet on the show.
He will use the same producer who picked the playlists for Bruce.
But he has filled the first 30 minutes of the debut show with some of his own choices, too. Vernon also hopes being down to earth will help win over any doubters and he has taken advice from advice from radio stars such as Steve Wright.
He added: “I would say try it, it’s as simple as that. I love Steve Wright. All he said was, ‘Just be yourself. Be yourself. Enjoy it and embrace the audience.’”
But one thing Vernon, who is married to Strictly host Tess Daley, will really miss with his new job is dropping off their daughter Amber, 13, at school.
Their other daughter, Phoebe, is 18 and drives to sixth form.
Vernon said: “I’m a big school run man. I love it. So yeah, I’m going to miss the morning one.”
Tess was also thrilled about his new gig and will be listening to him today.
Vernon added: “She is well chuffed, she’s over the moon. She’s excited.
“When I phoned her up, after I found out, she was like, ‘No way?’
“And now I’ve got this feeling that I’ve never experienced before and I think it’s because of the scale of the gig.”
- Vernon Kay weekdays 9.30-12pm on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
