Vernon Kay speaks to Zoe Ball about his new Radio 2 show
Photo: BBC
Vernon Kay dropped in on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show to talk about replacing Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2.
Fresh from a holiday in South Africa, Vernon told Zoe that because his dad is a lorry driver, his family always had Radio 2 on in the background, so it’s a part of their DNA.
“Ken Bruce IS mid-mornings,” he said. “You don’t think of any other DJ when you think of that spot. Whatever channel you listen to, whoever is on mid-mornings, it’s the Ken Bruce slot, it’s not mid-mornings, it’s the Ken Bruce slot and he’s made it his own.
“He’s an absolute legend of broadcasting and to be asked to step into those big shoes, it was a big deep breath – I’ll be honest with you, I’m over the moon and so are my parents and Tess and the kids but it’s the Ken Bruce show – you know what I mean?”
Admitting that Ken has raised the bar so high, Vernon said he’s so excited to be able to take the reins of the show.
Because Vernon has been with Radio 2 for a while, filling in on some shows, Zoe said he was a part of the family anyway and he must be thrilled?
“I am absolutely over the moon, I really am,” Vernon replied. “One of the best things that’s happened in the past few days is that every single person on Radio 2 has messaged me and sent me an amazing either voicemail, email or WhatsApp saying how overjoyed they are that I’ve joined the family.” He added that he was getting a little emotional.
Zoe read out some messages from listeners and one of them said they hope Vernon will stay as long as Ken did. He replied that he’ll be 85 then and Zoe joked: “I always think I’ll be lucky if I last the next two years!”
Vernon starts his new show in May and until then, Gary Davies will cover the slot – which will include a new quiz, Zoe and Vernon revealed.
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