Vernon Kay taking over from Ken Bruce on R2

[PuppyMonkey]

I think he’s great when he does Zoe Ball’s show but is he fit to step into the shoes of living legend Ken?

I've enjoyed listening to Vernon when he steps in to take over from someone else, I even listened to the breakfast show when he was in for Zoe.

I don't think I would want him every day for two and a half hours though so I am going to follow Ken when he leaves at the end of next month.

As someone said above, he is a legend. Love you Ken 😍

I do agree, but I think the demographic has changed, and the BBC are relying on outdated formula. The way we consume media, and the volume that is available, has changed beyond recognition. Expecting listners to like 90's hasbeens isn't enough.

GHR now do a premium subscription which is £3.99 per month or £39.99 if you pay for a year which makes it £3.33 per month. No adverts and extra songs instead!

Only downside is you have to stream through their app or website. I’ve replaced my wireless in the kitchen with a Bluetooth speaker and stream with my phone.

I'm not sure who radio 2 is now aimed at.

Sorry to sound like a total dick, but it's aimed at us millenials. The mid 30s - upward age of Mums/Dads, who like music from the 90s and 00s, not the same stuff Radio 2 have played since it was the 90s and 00s.

I think you may be right here - but in that case what radio station is aimed at someone in their 50s who likes to hear old stuff 70s/80s/90s - but also wants to hear some new music too ? One thing I always liked about radio two was that they would play some new stuff but also random old songs I hadn't heard since about 1986 - unlike Heart/Greatest Hits/Smooth who seem to have the same oldies on repeat .

@BramleyAppleHotCrossBun - good to hear from a millennial! Us oldies on here can moan and groan, but we’re not wanted by Radio 2.

People wanting Gary Davies - he’s too old! I’m surprised at Vernon Kay actually, since I would have thought being 50 would have disqualified him…

I don’t really understand BBC radio at the moment. In the evenings there is little difference between Radio 1 and 2. Radio 6 is Humourless Radio Northern 90s. Radio 2 used to have all sorts of variety and niche programmes. Not any more.

Surely the BBC’s remit is not to relentlessly chase elusive listeners but to be above that.

@CeriB82 yes I am! Why do you ask?

Bah. Should've been OJ Borg.

Expecting listners to like 90's hasbeens isn't enough

Well, unless the listener is a 90s hasbeen themselves. Scott Mills et al is sort of my generation. Steve Wright and Ken Bruce were too ‘old’ for me, they’re more of my parents era. R1 is fine but it is aimed at the young. So I never felt there was a BBC station for me in between those two. R2 is now providing that with these changes.

It’s hard for the BBC really - they’re required to cater for everyone, from CBeebies to Songs of Praise to Asian Network. It’s a lot of different tastes to provide for.

I'm 64 and listen to R2. I switched from R1 when most of the R1 DJs went to R2 when I was in my early 30s. I feel that I am their main demographic.

I don't have any strong opinions on any of the presenters mentioned upthread. My absolute favourite is still Johnny Walker.

I agree which BBC station is for us who like 70,80,90s and some modern music as well ?
Saying that I'm not keen at all on Scott Mills he needs a Co presenter but don't mind the music he plays .

Vernon Kay burghh

Oh no! Another bland and characterless person to fill in the gaps between the tunes!! Add Scott Mills to that list as well. Bring back Wrighty! Radio 2 is going downhill fast.

Well I'm only just in the millennial category myself. The music industry has completely changed since the 1990's. If I wanted to listen to that type of music I'd buy a best of the 1990's hits album. The presenters need to bring something to the show instead of just reminiscing. Jo Whiley used to find new bands and was seen as cool for it. Now she just sits in the studio talking mundane day to day shout outs and pushing play on her cassette player. Get out there and find some good bands Jo and give them a platform. Teach me something about music that I don't know or have time to find out. Even notifying us about what band is on tour would be something or talking about films would be interesting but no we have to listen to a conversation about her daughter who I don't even know.

You too, Scott, Sara and Vernon. Get researching and bring something to the table!

I thought the BBC strapline used to be Educate, Entertain and Inform or something like that now it's just job for life, listen to me talk, preach preach preach eyes fogging over with boredom. By the way we're diverse but not when it comes to the old established favourites!

I have to laugh at those complaining about DJs moving from Radio 1 to Radio 2 - that’s what they’ve always done! As music tastes and demographics change the audiences move across.

I’m 41, I stopped listening to Radio 1 about 7 or 8 years ago as I wasn’t enjoying the music anymore. Not a reflection on the talent or quality of the music, it just wasn’t “my thing”.

There’s research that shows people gravitate to the music of their teenage years/early 20s as you have so many formative experiences at that time. As a result I gravitate to the music of the 90s/early 00s so I love the likes of Zoe, Sara and Scott.

Bring on the Vern-tables I say!

I agree to a certain extent, however cbeebies is a different channel to the Asian Network so they can specialise for each audience.

I think the BBC need to stop dumbing everything down and give it's audience a bit of credit. I don't need a 'celebrity' to listen, I just need a decent radio show which I'm sure with all the hundreds of thousands of pounds they pay their 'stars' each year they could plough into getting a few writers together to put something decent together.

If they can't do that, there's loads of decent podcasters on Spotify, why not give them a job for half the price of Vernon's wage?

Saw this on Twitter, think it sums it up 😜

Oops picture didn’t post!

I quite like Rob Beckett when making tea Sunday evenings.

100% what @Monkeyrules says here, as someone who is solidly millennial I don’t want to listen to who I listened to in the 90’s/early 00’s.

And that’s all the R1 lot who are now on R2 seem to be able to do - the links are now just tedious drivel (maybe it was always tedious drivel and it’s me that’s outgrown them) they need to bring something new.

I'm also really tired of all the shoutouts, voice notes and listeners calling in - how about some decent content instead. A PP mentioned Simon Mayo - I used to love his mix of music, cooking, books, bit of chat - everything feels lazy and dumbed down now.

I wanted Rylan Clark.

The ad free version of greatest hits is free for the first 30 days and there was an offer earlier in the week for a free 90 days if you use SIMONMAYO as a code.

Just need to fathom how to Bluetooth my phone app in the car and I'll be good to go

I’ll listen to Vernon - he’s really good when he fills in for Zoe Ball. I think it’s time for Ken Bruce to go. I’m tired of listening to the unfunny passive-aggressive way he speaks to the travel guy

Sorry, not travel - traffic

Oh he has such a lovely voice, he has that talent for making you feel he's talking just to you.

Oh my God, this!! Radio 2 has been dreadful the last couple of weeks with the shrieks of laughter on Zoe Ball's show recently, I only have it on low for time checks but had to turn it off. I don't want inane chat and shrieking laughter, I want you to play more music!!

What is it with having Joe Public on every five minutes wanging on about nothing anyone listening is interested in hearing.

Then there's the world and his dog mentioned by contestants at the end of Popmaster. Just stop it and get back to the music!

😱