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'm usually at work when Ken is in but on the rare days I'm not at work in the week, I definitely won't be listening to Vernon Kaye. He makes our local radio station sound polished and entertaining and that's some achievement.

Yes cobblers at the end of popmaster just say goodbye. Not say hello to the world !

I'm thrilled to find out it's Vernon. I really like him. He doesn't grate as much as Gary Davies. The show is going to be completely different though. It can't be anything like Ken. I'm really pleased it's not Gary Davies.

God yes, who cares

Then all the baby talk form Scott mills, Sara Cox and Zoe ball

Telly box
Love you bye
Ma waff
Fank oo vay much x 100

I'm still devastated that they got rid of Paul O'Grady. That was appointment radio for me, there's nothing else like it.

I'm early 40s, so I'm supposedly the audience R2 are changing for, but it just seems like they are becoming a blander version of Absolute 90s/00s.

But he is from Bolton! A north of Manchester accent can genuinely be quite strong. His Dad was a lorry driver if that makes it any more acceptable?

Sorry what? Is this a Freudian Slip? Do you mean Jo Whiley, or Sara Cox?

I was all set to follow Ken to GHR but am torn now as I like Vernon. I only listen to the breakfast show (bar the quiz on Thursdays) when Zoe Ball is off as I find her so gushing and bland. I liked Vernon standing in for her and Steve Wright.

I can't stand Scott Mills. Agree with someone upthread who said he is not only boring but sounds bored himself. All that "Love you Bye" every time he speaks to someone make me want to boak. Also that "feature" where mindless idiots half sing/hum a song they can't quite place and he plays it over and over and over again. I have to switch off at that point.

Oh my God I cannot stand him. The way he repeats the caller's name over and over in every sentence, he's like a terrible used car salesman. Swiss Toni.

Urgh, he's loud, unfunny and he'll play loads of commercial radio tunes instead of a mix. I won't be listening after Gary Davies finishes the slot in May.

I like Scott Mills but don't listen as there are too many 90s songs.
I mean it's my era but I would listen to Absolute 90s or something if I wanted it all day.

They need to nurture some actual radio talent and stop putting TV people on.

Love Vernon. Have never warmed to Ken Bruce, so happy with that change.

Vernon did the Radio 1 Saturday morning show previously and he was on whilst I was in labour with my daughter, so always had a soft spot for him.

Also, loved his brother coming on with maths questions. DH and I used to wait in the car to listen to the answer.

But, I also like Scott Mills. Much better on R2 than the childish drivel on R1. So
we’re happy in this house (early/mid 50s).

I think Vernon Kay is great on the radio: warm, funny, positive, engaging.

Good choice and I'm so glad it isn't Gary Davies.

I’ve never been a huge fan of his style but I was lost forever for VK when he was caught sexting and embarrassed his family as he could t stop letching young reality TV women. Funny how these ‘disgraced men’ seem to crawl back in over time. Really annoys me.

SM was always Mr stand in on Radio 1 and then did the same on 2 so fair enough he gets his own slot and surely can’t be worse than Steve Wright who should have been put out to pasture many years ago.

ZB not for me at all I find her style really irritating but I LOVE Sara Cox she’s hilarious (Altho was best on sounds of the 80s)

Vernon Kay makes the decison to follow Ken Bruce far easier.

I'd always hated radio adverts, but I'm listening to stations like Smooth and Greatest Hits in the afternoon since Scott Mills started, and they're no more annoying than waffly presenters, The People doing People Things and constant internal adverts for other shows/ BBC Sounds and smart speakers.

I'm early 40s, the age that is supposedly being targeted. I like a broad mix through the decades, going back to the 60s-70s, up to smattering of current music where it gels with the play list. I like clear articulate presenters with some intelligent content, not booming like Vernon or Scott Mills or gasping like Zoe Ball.

It seems daft to put off established listeners of 40+ and none of the other BBC networks really plug that gap.
(6 Music mumbles far too much)

Very happy with the decision - used to really enjoy Vern on Radio 1 when I was on the Saturday morning clubs run with the kids and we've liked his stand-in stuff.

And I love Scott Mills (same thing - we used to listen to him on R1 on the midweek after-school activities run). I think the song police thing is great!

We tried about three songs of GHR and hated it and not just because of the ads. It just sounded empty (don't really know how else to describe it), like the DJ wasn't really there, and the songs didn't work together. I'll miss Popmaster, but I'll get over it.

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.

I do agree and am probably the target audience now for Radio 2 (mid 30s.) I'm actually really pleased there's a radio station that fits me better.....Radio 1 just seems designed for 15 year olds nowadays. My DM is devastated as she's been listening to Ken/Steve Wright for years on Radio 2 but then does also admit the station has aged as she has. She started listening to it in her 30s.....now I'm that age it's my turn 😂

So if R2 is after the mid 30s age group, what bbc station is for me? I'm 50, don't like Vernon or Scott Mills, but like music from 80s onwards, including new music. I liked Ken Bruce's dry wit. Very sad he's leaving. God, fancy being too old for R2! I really must be ancient and old fashioned.

I don't mind Vernon, it could have been worse. Just need to get rid of JV now. Can't stand his whiny voice and boring show

Yes, i do remember I started listening to R2 in my 30s - ie 25 years ago. It was still Terry Wogan, Jimmy Young, Gloria Hunniford, Ed Stewart, John Dunn and The Organist Entertains back then.

I remember Steve Wright coming over from R1 and I think he started doing Sunday Love Songs and then the regular afternoon slot. He was the young (ish) upstart then. Ha.

I remember them announcing Jimmy Young had “decided to retire” and Jeremy Vine was replacing him. JY later said no way did he resign they pushed him out.

Anyway, Tony Blackburn is still there so all is not lost for us oldies.

I bloody love Tony Blackburn, if they get rid of him that's beyond the pale!

Tony's Saturday 60s show is great and I try to get up in time to at least catch some of it. I often laugh at things he says.

After Ken, his is the only show I really like. I expect the powers that be will be lining him up in their sights next to go. Johnny Walker must be looking over his shoulder too.

Won't be long and I expect there won't be anyone to listen to on R2 for me. 😪

Seems like Ken Bruce's last show is next Friday now - looks like the BBC want shot asap. They really do seem to treat people like crap.

Yep they are binning Ken off earlier than scheduled

Just realised, I’ve been listen to radio 2 since my thirties as I remember when Jonnie Walker started so must listened to his predecessor.

Ken Bruce started the Drivetime slot when he was in his forties, so the currant crop of ‘young’ djs are just reflecting that.

I’m warming to Scott Mills but agree they could play a greater mix of music, although to be fair, I only listen to a short segment of his show en route to work, so maybe he does play a wide mix.

NO! AARRGGHH!!!

She was nowhere near as good as Gary Davies on Sounds of the 80s - she was only 15 when the 80s ended and wasn't really "there" - and I can't bear her on the drivetime show. That awful jingle with the muppets, the absurdity of the speeded up or slowed down tracks quiz, and the garbled gabbled mumbo jumbo of "5.45 featuring the fantastic listeners" - and now we get treated to an extra hour of her, just the gift that keeps on giving. She's guilty of too much scripted humour too, both on radio and TV which is not funny.

Thank the Lord for Vick & Jordan on the way home.