Vernon Kay 'over the moon' to replace Ken Bruce on Radio 2

Vernon Kay volition regenerate presenter Ken Bruce connected his weekday mid-morning slot connected Radio 2, the BBC has confirmed.

"Vernon is simply a beauteous bloke and I privation him each the best," Bruce told BBC News, adding that helium "wouldn't situation springiness anyone other tips astir broadcasting".

Kay, who is known for presenting ITV's All Star Family Fortunes, said taking implicit the amusement was "a imagination travel true".

"And what an honour to travel successful the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce," helium added successful a statement. "I'm perfectly implicit the satellite to beryllium handed the microphone."

The 48-year-old has antecedently had his ain shows connected Radio 1 and Radio X, and presently presents Radio 2's Dance Sounds of the 90s.

Kay, who is joined to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, volition commencement his caller amusement successful May.

DJ Gary Davies volition capable the spread betwixt Bruce's departure connected 3 March, and Kay's archetypal show.

The mid-morning show, celebrated for its regular Popmaster quiz, presently has much than 8.5 cardinal play listeners, according to information from manufacture assemblage Rajar.

Bruce volition instrumentality the Popmaster format with him erstwhile helium moves to the rival commercialized station, Greatest Hits Radio.

His departure comes soon aft Steve Wright near Radio 2, ending a 23-year stint arsenic the station's day host. Wright stressed helium was not retiring, and would support his Sunday greeting show.

Kay replaces Bruce, whose programme, celebrated for its regular Popmaster quiz, presently has much than 8.5 cardinal play listeners, according to caller information from manufacture assemblage Rajar.

Other fashionable presenters who person besides near the presumption successful the past twelvemonth see Paul O'Grady and Vanessa Feltz.

The 48-year-old Bolton-born presenter began his vocation arsenic a model, which led to him presenting links connected Channel 4's teen-targeted T4 strand.

Moving into radio, helium hosted his ain BBC Radio 1 amusement betwixt 2004 and 2012, and went connected to big the mid-morning amusement connected Radio X betwixt 2015 and 2017.

The TV and vigor property besides helmed the ITV crippled amusement All Star Family Fortunes - a personage mentation of the long-running quiz amusement - from 2006 to 2015, arsenic good arsenic 2 bid of Beat the Star from 2008 until 2009.

In 2010, helium co-presented different ITV crippled show, The Whole 19 Yards, alongside Caroline Flack. The aforesaid year, implicit successful the US, the Brit fronted the six-part bid Skating with the Stars.

A instrumentality of American Football since his youth, Kay, who has besides played the sport, presented The American Football Show connected Channel 4 successful 2013. And since the commencement of the 2018-19 season, helium has presented unrecorded Formula E coverage, too.

Alongside Gabby Logan, helium fronted the personage diving amusement Splash! from 2013-2014, which saw Team GB Olympic golden medal-winning diver Tom Daley connection his services arsenic a mentor to the pool-bound stars.

An occasional stand-in presenter connected the One Show and This Morning, helium besides finished successful 3rd spot connected I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! successful 2020, down chap broadcaster Jordan North and eventual victor Giovanna Fletcher.

Over the years, helium has besides featured connected shows specified arsenic Shooting Stars, Bo Selecta! and Would I Lie To You?, arsenic good arsenic the Masked Singer. His movie cameos see Shaun of the Dead.

Speaking to BBC News successful 2021, astir the motorboat of his caller ITV bid Game of Talents, Kay said helium felted "shackled" utilizing an autocue and that it was much his benignant to hole earlier shows and past "have a laughter successful the studio".

Bruce has been 1 of Radio 2's longest-serving hosts, joining the BBC successful 1977 and taking his archetypal regular Radio 2 slot successful 1984.

The 72-year-old Scotsman, who has besides presented the station's Eurovision sum since 1988, is owed to broadcast his last amusement successful March.

"I person decided the clip is close for maine to determination connected from Radio 2," helium said past month, adding he'd had "a tremendously blessed time" but it was "time for a change".

Helen Thomas, caput of Radio 2 said the presumption was "thrilled to welcome" Kay connected committee permanently, describing him arsenic "a hugely talented, lukewarm and witty host", and 1 who has "already proved himself to beryllium a steadfast favourite with our listeners erstwhile he's presented galore and varied shows crossed the station".

Other plans announced by the presumption connected Friday see a Van Morrison Blues Show special, presented by Cerys Matthews; Tony Blackburn spinning psyche specials astatine Easter; and the Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum celebrating the euphony of Nina Simone.

Elsewhere listeners volition beryllium treated to a Country Music Season, to people the station's authoritative nexus to the Country 2 Country Music Festival, portion Jo Whiley volition observe the 12" azygous successful a caller documentary,