Vernon Kay launches Radio 2 listeners vote for favourite Elvis songs

This morning on his BBC Radio show, Vernon Kay announced the launch of a listener vote to discover their favourite Elvis song.

The countdown to celebrate what would have been Elvis’ 90th birthday on 8th January 2025, will be revealed in Your Ultimate Elvis Song hosted by Elvis superfan Vernon and broadcast on Radio 2 on New Years Day 3-5pm.

You can vote here for up to five songs from a list comprising of 90 of Elvis’ UK Top 20 hits. Voting closes at midday on Friday 13 December.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “Radio 2 has a long tradition of celebrating the greatest icons of music from across the decades and they don’t get any bigger than The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley!

“I can’t wait to find out the top tracks as chosen by our wonderful listeners to celebrate what would have been his 90th birthday in January.”

Vernon says: “ELVIS. One name. One Icon. The music has transcended many generations, and the man is probably the most recognisable musician of all time.

“From being a young lad playing my auntie’s old Elvis vinyl records to collecting The King’s memorabilia, Elvis is ever present in the Kay/Daly household so it’s going to be so much fun revealing the nation’s favourite Elvis song and finding out how many Radio 2 listeners share my love of Elvis.”

Also broadcast on New Year’s Day – and available exclusively on BBC Sounds from Friday 27 December – are two documentaries.

In Cerys Matthews: Elvis Presley, My King (7-8pm), Radio 2’s Blues Show presenter, singer-songwriter and lifelong Elvis fan Cerys delves deep into her memories of growing up in Wales and reveals how Elvis’ music, films and performances influenced her own artistry.

Cerys says: “Elvis… I was hooked immediately! My earliest memories include a mass gathering around a farm piano blasting out Suspicious Minds and Hound Dog.

“His repertoire is a rich seam of blues, hillbilly, rock ‘n’ roll and so much more. I’ve done the Nashville to Graceland, Memphis trip more times than I can remember, and my son’s middle name is Tupelo. Am I a fan? I reckon so!”

In When Wales Welcomes The King (8-9pm), Radio 2’s Early Breakfast presenter, Owain Wyn Evans, continues the station’s celebration of Elvis. In the small seaside town of Porthcawl in South Wales, Elvis’ legacy has taken on a life of its own.

Every year in September, tens of thousands of fans and Elvis Tribute Acts (ETAs) descend on the town, donning jumpsuits, wigs and sideburns to keep the legend’s spirit alive.

Owain visits the Porthcawl Elvis Festival where ETAs from Portugal, Canada and even Australia have travelled to perform and where fans have come to pay tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Owain says: “The King of Rock and Roll gave the world hit after hit and I absolutely loved celebrating so many of these songs in one of the most iconic Elvis locations on the globe…. Porthcawl! From world-leading Elvis Tribute Acts to stories of why The King means so much to us, the fans. The Elvis Festival in the Porthcawl is the place to be. Come celebrate with us on BBC Radio 2.”