Ken Bruce is to be replaced by Vernon Kay on his well-known Radio 2 present, it has been revealed.
The veteran DJ will step down from his programme in April, with Kay signing a beneficial two-calendar year deal.
The previous Relatives Fortunes star, 48, has been substituting for Radio 2 hosts this sort of as Scott Mills and Zoe Ball, and has proved hugely popular, the BBC experiences.
The task has been hailed as the ‘biggest, most coveted’ task in radio.
A source mentioned: ‘Ken’s clearly show is the most listened to in Europe so Vernon has huge shoes to fill. But he’s this sort of a heat, simple presenter and listeners have actually taken to him.
Veteran DJ Ken Bruce is to move down from his well-liked BBC Radio 2 exhibit in April and is set to be succeeded by Vernon Kay
Former Spouse and children Fortunes star Vernon Kay, 48, has been substituting for Radio 2 hosts this kind of as Scott Mills and Zoe Ball, and has proved vastly well-known
‘Vernon has a raft of refreshing, new thoughts and information, but will not be making an attempt to reinvent the wheel below – he appreciates how important this clearly show is to listeners, and would like them to come to feel welcome and safe and sound.
‘Everyone at the Beeb is hugely thrilled to have him on board.’
A official announcement is expected to be created in the comin times, though contracts are understood to have been signed previous 7 days.
Kay, who is married to Strictly presenter Tess Daly, will host his 1st display on April 3.
The news comes just weeks right after Bruce introduced he was leaving the BBC after far more than 30 decades.
He will sidestep to rival Finest Hits radio and get alongside well-known quiz phase Popmaster.
the station has been accused of ageism just after a mass departure of some of its greatest-regarded hosts.
Steve Wright, 68, Paul O’Grady, 67, Vanessa Feltz, 60, and Simon Mayo, 64, have all bid adieu from the station in modern months.
BBC Radio 2 has been accused of ageism soon after the mass departure of some of its most effective-identified hosts
A resource informed the Sun: ‘Ken is Europe’s most listened-to DJ and has nothing still left to verify at the BBC.
‘He’s had an remarkable time doing the job there and is so grateful for the loyalty of all his listeners.
‘But in the latest a long time, there’s been a visible change in way, with a push to entice a young viewers.’
Previous month, it was reported Bruce quit Radio 2 for the reason that he felt ‘unloved’ by bosses – who failed to reassure him around a new deal even nevertheless they wished to preserve him, say BBC insiders.
Just one resource claimed that in spite of the wish to dangle on to the DJ – Britain’s most common radio host – a ‘mix-up’ intended he was not explained to. This is said to have aided convince him to join professional rival Best Hits Radio.
The unforeseen announcement of the 71-12 months-aged presenter’s departure is now claimed to have sparked discord at the BBC, as quite a few regard it as fully avoidable.
One particular nicely-positioned resource mentioned: ‘They surely wished to renew his contract but simply because of a blend-up no person informed him. He is a proud person and did not want to ask. When he told them he was heading they were all saying, ‘but we were about to offer you you a three-calendar year deal’… Little bit late.’
Ken Bruce, Britain’s most popular DJ, stop Radio 2 since he felt ‘unloved’ by bosses according to insiders
But a different supply close to the station disputed the contract promises, declaring: ‘Ken was reassured on extra than 1 situation that his potential on Radio 2 was secure.’
The Scottish star is thought to have been unsettled by the way the corporation experienced axed presenter Steve Wright’s extensive-managing display previous calendar year amid a drive to attraction to young listeners.
Bruce is also stated to have questioned bosses to prevent building him engage in ‘tuneless dance music’ but experienced not obtained any suitable responses to his pleas.
The Radio 2 insider told the Mail: ‘Ken felt unloved. Portion of the problem was getting explained to our target audience is ‘mood mums’ but in no way listening to who they are or what they want! We have started off to play a ton of tuneless dance new music and Ken experienced begged them to end building him perform it but apparently his e-mail by no means got responses.’
The source, who accused bosses of becoming ‘asleep at the wheel’, additional: ‘[Wright’s departure] just centered his mind. When they sacked Steve they didn’t contemplate the effect it could have on the relaxation of the presenters.’
Bruce has been at the BBC for 45 yrs – 31 of them presenting his Radio 2 mid-morning clearly show. But faithful listeners have develop into progressively fed-up at what they see as a change to a younger viewers.
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