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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Tasha Hall

Vernon Kay 'replacing' Ken Bruce on Radio 2 as legend leaves for rival station

Vernon Kay is reportedly replacing Ken Bruce on his legendary Radio 2 show after the 71-year-old announced his decision to leave the station in January.

Ken said he would be moving on after 31 years behind the mic to join Greatest Hits Radio. He is set to present the final show to listeners at the end of March, before moving over to the rival station.

The news was first announced on the radio show earlier this month and echoed by the BBC on their social media channels who hailed his work over the years and the "fantastic career" he held at the BBC.

The tweet said: "We have some news… After 31 years of presenting the 9:30am-midday weekday show Ken Bruce has decided to leave.

"We’re going to miss you lots Ken and want to congratulate you on a fantastic career at the BBC."

According to reports in the MailOnline, 48-year-old ITV star Vernon Kay, who has previously substituted for Scott Mills and Zoe Ball on the station, is set to replace him.

A source said: "Ken's show is the most listened to in Europe so Vernon has massive shoes to fill. But he's such a warm, easy presenter and listeners have really taken to him."

The BBC has not yet officially announced Ken's replacement. BBC Radio 2 has seen a series of stars leaving the radio channel in the last two years including Paul O'Grady, Steve Wright, Craig Charles, Simon Mayo and Vanessa Feltz.

Vernon is no stranger to the BBC radio studios. (@vernonkay/Instagram)

In a statement announcing his exit, Ken said it was "time for a change."

He wrote: "After 45 years of broadcasting on BBC Radio it's time for a change.

"I would stress that this is entirely my decision. I will always be very proud of my association with the BBC and Radio 2".

Vernon, who is married to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, is already very familiar in working for BBC radio after hosting his own show between 2004 and 2012 on Radio 1 and he presented his own show on Radio X between 2015 and 2017.

The BBC's Eurovision Song Contest's commentator Graham Norton kicked off the exodus of stars moving on from Radio 2 in 2020, when the presenter quit his weekend slot at the station.

Graham began presenting his Saturday morning show in 2010, following Jonathan Ross' BBC exit, but after 10 years on-air he moved on.

"Obviously I'm sad to be stepping away from my Radio 2 show," Graham said in a statement at the time.

"I'll miss being a part of the Wogan House family, as well as the listeners and their lives. I'd like to thank my producer Malcolm Prince and all the teams I've worked with for a great decade of radio.

"Happily with the chat show, Eurovision and Drag Race the BBC continues to be my perfect TV home."

Meanwhile, there has been wide speculation over who will replace Ken with large boots to fill. Writer and TV presenter Richard Osman said Liza Tarbuck would be his call.

Liza has appeared on BBC Radio 2 since 2007 and got her own show on the station in 2012 as she replaced Alan Carr between 6pm and 8pm on Saturdays.

Some listeners agreed with Richard as Kate Lawler replied with: "LOVE her show, she needs to be on every day".

Another added: "I love her radio show. It’s time."

The Mirror has approached BBC and Vernon for comment.

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