Vernon Kay is set to replace Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2

The rumours have been rife over who will replace Ken Bruce on Radio 2, but now it’s confirmed it will be Vernon Kay.

Vernon, who is also a successful TV presenter, first joined the BBC in 2004 when he joined Radio 1. He left in 2012 when he took a break from radio, then joined Radio X to host mid-mornings in 2015.

Over the last few years he’s been covering on BBC Radio 2, including Steve Wright and Zoe Ball.

Ken Bruce announced he was leaving the station in January saying he’s moving to Greatest Hits Radio from April.

Vernon 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 18 months. It’s a dream come true to join the Radio 2 family and I can’t wait to start.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “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. I can’t wait to hear his brilliant new show.”

Radio 2 has recently come under fire for supposedly shifting the station younger with the exit of some of it’s older DJs. This new appointment will probably add to the dissatisfaction of those listeners who don’t like the schedule changes, but at 48, Vernon is a seasoned broadcaster with a lot of radio experience under his belt.

Vernon will be talking to Zoe Ball next week live on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and he will launch his new morning show in May.